Powell's boys pass their test

Charlton manager Chris Powell hailed his table-topping side's effort after a hard-fought 1-0 win over promotion rivals Sheffield United.

The game was settled by Addicks skipper Johnnie Jackson's stunning 21st-minute free-kick, although the gloss of the win was slightly taken off by a sending off apiece late on when substitutes Darel Russell and James Beattie saw red.

Powell said: "It was an outstanding performance by my boys - very committed, full of character and we played a good team who I felt settled in well at the beginning of the game.

"But we grew into it and it took a special moment again similar to last week to win us the game. Sheffield United have been on a terrific run and they're led by a good manager, who knows his way around football management.

"It was as a real test for us and maybe it was just a little bit the other way. Normally we dominate games and we're always on the front foot, but I felt we were really tested on the other side - to be really resilient in the face of a decent team."

Russell's dismissal came after an 85th minute challenge on Kevin McDonald, with Beattie quickly given his marching orders seconds later for a clash with Yann Kermorgant.