Charlton Athletic secured a 1-0 victory over Preston North End at The Valley on Saturday 29 August 2026 to maintain their perfect start to the Championship season. Karlan Grant's second-half strike, his first since rejoining the club, was enough to send Nathan Jones's side to the top of the table with three wins from three.
This result marks a significant early-season shift for a side that finished 19th last term, with 53 points from 46 games. Their final 2025 form read LWLDL, having scored 44 goals and conceded 58. The win over Preston pushes them clear of that recent history.
How did Charlton win the match?
Nathan Jones made one enforced change to his starting lineup, with Ivan Mesik replacing the injured Billy Koumetio. Preston created the first clear opening after half an hour when Callum Lang headed over. Charlton's best first-half chance fell to Miles Leaburn, who headed narrowly wide from a Tyreece Campbell cross. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, making his first home appearance since arriving on loan from Wrexham, was called into action early in the second half to deny Delano Burgzorg.
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute. Substitute Millenic Alli found Karlan Grant, who cut inside the penalty area and finished clinically. Grant, who rejoined Charlton on a free transfer from West Brom this summer, celebrated a meaningful return to scoring. Preston pushed for an equaliser, with Liam Lindsay flicking a chance over the bar, but Charlton held firm. Referee Tom Reeves waved away late penalty appeals for a possible handball against Preston's Harry Clarke.
What does this start mean for Charlton?
Winning the first three matches of a second-tier season is a feat Charlton had not achieved since the 1992-93 campaign. It represents a dramatic improvement from last season's struggles, where they ended up 42 points behind the champions Coventry. Manager Nathan Jones was quick to temper expectations in comments reported by Sky Sports Football. "Let's not be silly - it's three games. We have got a long way to go," Jones said.
The defensive solidity, with Okonkwo assured and Amari'i Bell defending well against Lang, provides a platform. The attacking threat from Grant, Leaburn, and the creative influence of substitutes like Alli offers variety. You can analyse the squad's contributions on our detailed stats page.
What's next for both teams?
Charlton's immediate focus shifts to a midweek trip to face West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday 2 September. West Brom currently sit 21st in the early table, making it another significant fixture. Preston, managed by Paul Heckingbottom, are now pointless after three defeats. Heckingbottom analysed the loss, saying, "It was in both boxes where it went wrong. Until they scored we were very good."
For Charlton, the challenge is to sustain this momentum. The upcoming fixtures present an opportunity to build a strong position before the international break. Staying at the summit requires consistency, but the early signs under Jones are profoundly positive. The team's current league position can be tracked on our standings page.
