Fan writer Paul Sullivan had predicted a 3-0 defeat before a ball was kicked. As it turned out, he was not far wrong. Charlton Athletic slipped to a 3-1 loss against Norwich City at The Valley, a result that Sullivan describes as a familiar story for supporters who have grown weary of watching their side capitulate after promising starts.

A bright opening, then the shutters came down

Nathan Jones had promised changes after what Sullivan calls a "dreadful performance and result" at Watford in the previous league outing, and he was true to his word. Three of the replacements made an immediate impression during what Sullivan describes as a "bright 20-minute opening spell" for the hosts.

Joe Rankin-Costello and Sonny Carey, according to Sullivan's account, brought much-needed energy to a midfield that had looked "moribund" in recent weeks. The improvement translated into a goal: Charlie Kelman took his chance well to put Charlton ahead, briefly raising hopes that the visitors' own difficult run of form might be exploited.

Those hopes, as Sullivan notes, did not last long. Paris Maghoma equalised for Norwich with what the fan writer describes as an effort delivered "with aplomb" from a dangerous position, and the momentum shifted decisively. Centre-back Ruairi McConville delivered a ball from the left for Mathias Kvistgaarden, whose movement and sharp finishing, Sullivan notes, are already well regarded. Kvistgaarden converted to put Norwich ahead before substitute Anthony Musaba's driving run into the box ended in a Charlton own goal to seal the result.

Norwich's threat was obvious to those paying attention

Sullivan is candid about the context. He had studied Norwich closely in preparation for his commentary role for visually-impaired supporters, and what he found gave him little reason for optimism. Despite Philippe Clement's side sitting in 21st place with five successive league defeats and no clean sheet since a visit to The Valley in March, Sullivan had concluded that the underlying picture was more dangerous than the table suggested.

"A closer look at their results and some of their performances would suggest it would be only a matter of time when they would surmount another climb up the table," he writes, pointing to competitive showings against sides such as Middlesbrough, Swansea City and Southampton as evidence that Norwich's form was simply waiting to turn. For Charlton, that turn came at the worst possible moment.

The bigger picture for Charlton

The defeat leaves the Addicks looking nervously over their shoulders in the second half of the Championship table. Sullivan draws a telling contrast by invoking club legend Derek "Killer" Hales, who was introduced to the crowd before kick-off with a montage of his goals. The fondness for a figure from another era underlines how badly Charlton are missing a clinical presence in attack right now.

What follows is arguably more daunting still. Charlton's next Championship fixture is a trip to Middlesbrough, who are currently sitting at the top of the table. Sullivan borrows the language of the storms that have battered Britain recently to sum up the mood: when it rains, it pours.

For Jones, the challenge is clear. The brief, encouraging spell at the start against Norwich shows there is something to work with. The recurring collapse that followed it shows how much work remains to be done.

Frequently asked

What was the score when Charlton played Norwich City?
Norwich City won 3-1 at The Valley. Charlie Kelman put Charlton ahead early on, but Norwich equalised through Paris Maghoma before Mathias Kvistgaarden and an Anthony Musaba-prompted own goal completed the comeback.
Who scored for Charlton against Norwich?
Charlie Kelman scored Charlton's goal, taking his chance well during a bright opening spell in which Joe Rankin-Costello and Sonny Carey also impressed after Nathan Jones made changes to his starting line-up.
Who do Charlton play next in the Championship?
According to fan writer Paul Sullivan's account, Charlton's next Championship fixture is an away trip to Middlesbrough, who are currently sitting at the top of the table.