Charlton Athletic 3 Walsall 1 – On-loan Arsenal ace plays big part as Addicks make it three League One wins in a row

Stephy Mavididi helped inspire Charlton Athletic to a third straight League One victory – not only scoring for the Addicks but also forcing a panicked Kory Roberts into an own goal.

Joe Aribo’s third league goal in four outings had put the home side ahead. They stay sixth in the League One standings and hold a two-point lead over Rotherham United, who sit just below them.

Charlton took the lead through Aribo’s third league goal in eight starts.

The midfielder was in the right place to volley in Mark Marshall’s left-wing cross just past the half-hour mark.

But Walsall drew level through former Addicks youngster Erhun Oztumer in the 41st minute. Released for being too small, the attacking midfielder headed down and past Ben Amos from Luke Leahy’s cross.

Mavididi had twice gone for glory himself with chances – when team-mates seemed to be in a better place to score – but it was his pace that once again led to Charlton regaining their lead. Jay Dasilva’s pass saw him initially surge in behind Kory Roberts, the defender recovering but only able to touch the ball beyond namesake Liam Roberts in the 72nd minute.

Josh Magennis had headed Mark Marshall’s 69th-minute corner against the right-hand post before Liam Roberts pulled off a superb save moments later, a goalmouth scramble following before the danger was cleared.

Tariqe Fosu made his return from injury as he replaced Ben Reeves on 52 minutes and it made a huge difference as the Addicks pace stretched Walsall.

The substitute’s cross found Marshall in loads of space inside the area but he smashed a left-footed shot comfortably over.

But Mavididi sealed the outcome in the closing stages. He once again galloped into the box, cut inside of a defender before slipping the ball past Liam Roberts at his near post.

It could have been more for the young Charlton loanee – producing a fierce strike in the first half which hammered back off the crossbar.