Chelsea did equalise with eight minutes left on the clock by a goal from Frank Lampard, but on the 89th minute Jason Euell broke free and scored a great chip to make it 2-1 and sent the Charlton fans home happy.
The only real moments of excitement in a desperately dull first half were when referee Graham Poll snubbed what appeared a clear penalty for the Addicks after William Gallas' tackle on Euell - and when Charlton's Jorge Costa made a brilliant sliding tackle to deny Eidur Gudjohnsen.