Charlton 0 Tottenham 2:Charlton's relegation from the Barclays Premiership was confirmed after they failed to find the victory over Tottenham to take their survival battle to the weekend.
Ironically, it was former Charlton striker Jermain Defoe, jeered as he came off the bench, who sealed the win with an injury-time strike after Dimitar Berbatov had scored an early opener.
Aside from the talk of legal action over West Ham's Premier League punishment, focus will inevitably turn to the future of striker Darren Bent, who distinguished himself in a struggling team along with on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Despite stroking the ball around with confidence, Charlton striker Marcus Bent had the first chance of the match but failed to connect when a quickly-taken corner fell to him.
Spurs scored their 100th goal of the season in the next move. Berbatov was fed a ball from King out of defence and managed to trick Talal El Karkouri before outpacing the Charlton centre-back.
El Karkouri got within range of a tackle but Berbatov finished coolly, leaving the defender prostrate and needing treatment from the physio for his efforts.
Berbatov and Robbie Keane then showed glimpses of why they were named joint Premiership players of the month, but the hosts knew they needed two goals and were urged forward by their fans.
El Karkouri tried to flick home an equaliser from a free-kick but his effort was straight at Paul Robinson, while Zheng Zhi had a sight of goal as he cut back onto his right foot inside the penalty area but white-shirted players snapped at him and his shot was blocked.
There were tame shouts from the crowd for a penalty on the half-hour mark when Dawson used his body to clear the ball, while Alexandre Song headed wide from close range from Darren Bent's cross.
Bent then crashed an effort wide after getting behind the Spurs defence just before the break, with chances even fewer and far between after the interval.
Darren Ambrose did have a sight of goal but mis-kicked, while Dawson just got something on the ball as Zheng raced through just before the hour mark.
As a last throw of the dice, Marcus Bent was replaced by
Jimmy-Floyd
Hasselbaink and Song came off for Lloyd Sam, but it was to no
avail as Spurs held on, with Defoe racing through to double their
lead on the counter-attack.
At least Charlton fans remained in good spirits, despite their seven-year stay in the Premiership coming to an end.
"Always look on the bright side of life," they sang.
Thoughts now turn to next season.
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