Charlton 1 Manchester United 3

Last updated : 29 September 2002 By David Robson + Footy Mad

Manchester United produced a second-half demolition job on Charlton at the Valley to win 3-1 after being a goal down to the Londoners at the break.

It was a cruel scoreline for Charlton who have now lost all four of their Premiership home games this season and have slid into the relegation zone. But for United this first Premiership away win of the season produced a vital three points especially after Arsenal's great win at Leeds earlier in the day.

Charlton took the lead two minutes before half time with their first goal in 359 minutes of football. John Robinson played Claus Jensen into a shooting position and the Danish international fired a 25-yard shot into the net.

Charlton had an earlier chance when Shaun Bartlett, making his first appearance of the season for the home side, had seen his effort well saved by Fabien Barthez.

However, Charlton had had an escape when Paul Scholes, also making his first appearance of the season, saw his goalbound shot cleared off the line by Richard Rufus. United equalised in the 54th minute when Scholes fired home from Ryan Giggs' cross and the United winger put the visitors into the lead seven minutes before full time.

Ruud van Nistelrooy put in a perfect cross for the Welsh international to dribble round Dean Kiely before scoring. In injury time van Nistelrooy headed United's third from Giggs' cross to secure what in the end proved to be a more comfortable victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's side than looked likely at the break