Peter Taylor must feel the world is against him. His players are underachieving and, after Saturday's limp defeat at the Valley, they prop up the Premiership thanks in part to a bizarre refereeing decision.
His side had been floundering against the 10 men of Charlton for 17 minutes when Junior Lewis's header was gathered by Leicester goalkeeper Ian Walker. Referee Mike Dean went to his assistant and dismissed the defender for a tug on Jonatan Johansson's shirt. Any contact was more brush than barge; Leicester will lodge an appeal today.
Even after Steve Brown had seen red on 25 minutes for deliberate hand-ball, the visitors' passing degenerated. Once parity in numbers had been restored, Johansson dived beyond Matt Heath to convert Shaun Bartlett's cross. The Finn returned the compliment 11 minutes after the interval for the South African.
CHARLTON: Kiely; Young, Powell (Todd 46), Fish, Brown, Konchesky, Parker, Kinsella (Robinson 90), Stuart, Johansson, Bartlett (Euell 66). Subs Not Used: Roberts, Jensen. Sent Off: Brown (25). Booked: Todd. Goals: Johansson 45, Bartlett 56.
LEICESTER: Walker; Marshall, Sinclair (Wise 60), Heath, Davidson, Savage, Izzet, Jones, Lewis, Scowcroft (Benjamin 10), Sturridge, Benjamin (Impey 60). Subs Not Used: Royce, Elliott. Sent Off: Lewis (42). Booked: Sinclair, Izzet.
Referee: M Dean (The Wirral).
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