‘It’s lucky he did score’ – Alfie May’s quick reactions make amends for delegating Charlton penalty duties

Michael Appleton admitted that Alfie May’s decision to hand over spot-kick duties to Chuks Aneke was not part of the plan – but that the Charlton number nine’s quick reactions redeemed him.

The former Cheltenham frontman allowed Aneke, making his first start of the campaign, to take the penalty in the 65th minute of Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Exeter City.

Viljami Sinisalo dived to his right to push Aneke’s attempt on to his post but May followed in to finish.

“It’s a good job he did score,” said Appleton. “I’m not sure what my attitude would’ve been like if we didn’t score that!

“It wasn’t planned. Look, at the end of the day I’ve got a lot of trust in my players. We got away with it tonight a little bit.

“It was a situation that was rectified very quickly.”

Aneke, 30, had been out with a calf problem until mid-September. The match against Exeter was his fourth outing of the season.

“I can’t really speak from what has happened in the past (in terms of Aneke’s previous injury issues) but all I can say is he looks really, really fit and really hungry,” said Appleton. “His performances off the bench have proven that – but also proven that for a long period of time.

“I told him I trust him to play and start the games, at times we have got to manage that as best we possibly can. He didn’t want to come off. It wasn’t just because he wanted to score a goal – he feels fit and strong. I really hope that continues.

“If we have got a fit and really competitive Chuks Aneke in the team then he is going to be a real threat for us.”

MAIN PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS