MILES Leaburn savoured the Valley atmosphere as his goal briefly gave Charlton Athletic hope before new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior’s side powered away to win their FA Cup third-round clash 5-1.
Charlton held out until the fourth minute of first-half added-time before Jorrel Hato gave the Blues the lead.
Tosin Adarabioyo scored Chelsea’s second in the 50th minute before Leaburn raised the roof off the Covered End when he made it 2-1 seven minutes later.
But home hopes were short-lived as Marc Guiu restored the two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute and substitutes Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez scored two more in stoppage-time.
“It was special occasion, the fans and the atmosphere was great and to get myself a goal, I’m happy with that,” Leaburn said.
“The goal from Chelsea at the end of the first half was unfortunate, and a couple of goals towards the end with tired legs, it was unfortunate that it got away from us.”
There was a season-high 26,475 attendance at The Valley.
Leaburn added: “In the game we needed as much momentum as we could get, and the fans provided that for us.
“For me, because I didn’t get to experience the [League One play-pff] semi-final atmosphere on the pitch in May, it really was quite special. I was speechless, looking around thinking this what football is, this is what makes it special.
“The gaffer always talks about us making The Valley a fortress and that is what we need to do and build upon our performances.”
Addicks boss Nathan Jones admitted his side only had themselves to blame for the second and third goals.
“For long periods we were good,” Jones said. “The game plan worked, we nullified them to certain things. The goal before half-time was a killer, but it was a good strike.
“The second and third goal killed us, and it was poor defending from the set-play. We can’t allow him to run in front of us like that, and that is why they scored.
“We then got ourselves back into it, and then the third goal is the one I have sleepless nights over. It is stuff we have conceded from before. To concede from that, it was a non-learning and that for me is the biggest disappointment from tonight.
“The second and third goals was the real turning point, and we have to do better from them.”
Jones added: “Off the ball we were excellent. We defended in the middle of the park really well, against world-class players.
“The way they moved the ball and worked, you can admire, but we aren’t at Premier League level yet. We are not in that position yet, and we have to understand that. There are lessons we need to take from that today. They are a great group, and structurally we were good.
“We started well, e had all the moments early on. The noise [from the home fans] was phenomenal, and I took it in.
“It is my job to make sure that we learn, and we that we don’t make mistakes.”
