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Liverpool slip up in the Valley

Definitely not a happy Boxing Day for Liverpool!

On a slippery pitch at The Valley, they slithered to defeat against a punchy Charlton side that registered its first home win since November 7. And the man who sealed Liverpool's fate was young inside right Jimmy Fryatt - playing only his second League game for Charlton.

Two golden goals made it a dream Christmas for 19-year-old Jimmy, who played with all the assurance of a veteran. But Jimmy wasn't the only menace to Liverpool. All five Charlton forwards showed a punch and polish sadly lacking in the visitors' front line.

Even the likely Dave Hickson couldn't shake the Charlton defenders out of their confidence. He had a very quiet game, while England left-winger A'Court never got the better of brilliant Charlton right back Trevor Edwards. The best scoring chances came to right winger Jimmy Melia. Once he headed an A'Court cross over the bar - and then he was bundled off the ball by Edwards and John Hewie.

These were the sort of chances Charlton didn't miss.

In the 34th minute Leary split the Liverpool defence and young Fryatt hammered a great shot past goalkeeper Bert Slater. And it was Fryatt on the spot again in the 74th minute to snap up a Leary pass and crack home his second League goal.

With the Liverpool defenders finding it difficult to turn on the slippery pitch Charlton pressed home their advantage. Wingers Summers and Lawrie were particularly elusive, and both kept Slater on his toes with snap shots.

Willie Duff, in the Charlton goal, had to change his muddy jersey at half-time - but it was a bit of a mystery how it got dirty!

Although quite effective in their approach play the Liverpool attack lacked the golden goal touch.

One of their best scoring efforts came from right half John Wheeler, who stormed through to crack a great shot against the post. But the forwards just couldn't take their cue from Wheeler - and it looked as if their luck was right out when a Jim Harrower goal-bound shot was deflected for a corner.

It was left to Lawrie to show another net result for Charlton when he spreadeagled the Liverpool defence and raced through to score with the last kick of the game.

Copyright - Empire News

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