Charlton boss Lee Bowyer hails Naby Sarr’s flawless free-kick record

Lee Bowyer hailed Naby Sarr’s flawless record from set-pieces as his superb free-kick set Charlton on their way to victory at AFC Wimbledon.

The Addicks were behind at the break thanks to Michael Folivi’s goal for the rock-bottom Wombles.

But Sarr’s wonder strike, coupled with an injury-time winner from Igor Vetokele, earned the Addicks their first win in five.

“He’s got a one-hundred percent record,” Bowyer joked.

“He’s taken one and scored whereas other players have had about six goes and not hit the target. I’ll put my house on Naby taken the next one on Saturday. He’s got a beautiful left-foot. Great finish, top-corner. He’s a centre-half. It’s crazy to think.”

““First half, we just looked nervous,” he added.

“We didn’t move the ball like we normally do, because we are a good footballing side. I told them at half-time to be brave and to believe in each other. If you’re going to fail, do it the right way.

“And that’s what they did in the second half – they went out there and they did what they do in training every day. They moved the ball quickly, we had movement and we created a lot of chances, so it was always going to be tough, but we had to be patient, just like when we played them at home.”

“It’s always going to be difficult. This is a tough place to come and Wimbledon are at the bottom and fighting for their lives. They’ve had two good results away from home recently and scored four on the road at Rochdale, which is a tough place to go, and I think their manager has turned them around. He’s got them fighting and they made it tough for us.
“We got there in the end and that’s the most important thing.”

Vetokele’s goal was his first for the club in league football for over three years.

“I said to him yesterday that I wanted more from him,” explained the Addicks boss.

“Because he hasn’t been good in training. He’s got such an opportunity, he’s got a chance. Lyle (Taylor) is our one striker with Josh Parker who is off ill. This is an opportunity, grab it. He came on today and made an impact. That’s what the squad does. It’s not about one person or two people. Igor came on and got the winner.”