Zhi gives Charlton fans hope

Charlton 2 Newcastle 0:  Zheng Zhi used his head to dramatically improve Charlton's chances of staying in the Barclays Premiership.

The Chinese international midfielder headed a 54th-minute goal and won an 88th-minute penalty which Jerome Thomas converted to turn Addicks' home into Happy Valley again.

Zheng, on loan for the rest of the season from Shandong Luneng, was on the spot to coolly head into an empty net after Darren Bent's clever free-kick had bounced down off the bar nine minutes after half-time.

Then as Charlton hung on to their hard-earned advantage, Zheng went down in the box after a nudge by Nolberto Solano and Thomas sealed all three points from the spot.

It means Charlton are now just four points behind 17th-placed Sheffield United, having picked up seven points from their last three games.

With Sheffield United and Wigan to play in south London before the end of the campaign, boss Alan Pardew will believe he can get his new team out of jail,

Zheng was the star of a vibrant second half which was a total contrast to the first 45 minutes — but only after he was switched into attack with Bent when specialist winger Dennis Rommedahl replaced the injured Marcus Bent at half-time.

Zheng could have easily scored two more goals — but he shot over after Bent's header came back off a post and then saw another effort blocked by Newcastle's Craig Moore, playing for the first time in 26 matches after a hamstring injury.  PA