Nathan Jones very proud as Charlton rip Northampton Town apart – after being ‘vilified’ over the last few weeks

Charlton boss Nathan Jones said he was proud of the way his side picked Northampton Town apart at Sixfields – after they have been “vilified” over the last few weeks.

The 5-0 win was just the Addicks’ second in 14 League One outings but leaves them four points shy of the top six with a game in hand.

The South Londoners had opened a two-goal advantage before 13 minutes were on the clock.

Captain Greg Docherty got the visitors on their way as he drilled across former AFC Wimbledon stopper Nik Tzanev. That lead was doubled as Tyreece Campbell prodded Miles Leaburn’s through-ball home.

Leaburn got in on the act nine minutes before the break as he tucked in from the edge of the area.

They had a fourth midway through the second-period as Docherty expertly guided Luke Berry’s pull-back into the top corner.

And the rout was completed as Danny Hylton, who was booed onto the pitch by the home fans after a two-year stint at Sixfields without a goal, grabbed his first in Charlton colours in added-time.

Jones said: “Very proud of the performance from start to finish. Another clean sheet, five goals, took our chances. The difference today from the Mansfield game was we took our chances. If we’d taken our chances in the Mansfield game things might be different but when we’re clinical we always know we’ve got that platform and that backbone that they pride themselves on. A real good performance all round.

“When we score first, we don’t lose. I’m proud of the level of performance because when you play for Charlton, you’re under a lot of pressure. There’s expectation, there’s a weight on the club, there’s a weight on you when you come here. It’s not a normal club to play for in League One. And they’ve had to suffer a bit lately.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries, we’ve had a lot of new players coming in and I’m hoping this is something we can build on and start to gel and see the best of players because it was some big, big performances today, wonderful performances and I’m proud of that.”

Skipper Docherty grabbed his first goals since the home win against Bolton Wanderers in August.

“That was the level of performance we expect from him,” added Jones.

“Playing forward, running forward, the energy, the qualities, you know he’s a Championship footballer. He’s played most of his career in the Championship and that’s why we brought him here, he comes to us and we expect him to handle that.

“Luke Berry was truly outstanding today, the movement, the quality, what he demonstrated, how he settled us. Conor Coventry was brilliant, midfield three were brilliant, and the back five we defended wonderfully.

“The front two give us a real catalyst right from the off and they both got goals It’s just an all-round performance and I’m proud of that. And I’m proud of them because they’ve had to go through a lot, you know. We’ve been vilified, we’ve been hammered and a lot of it’s been justified.

“It feels at times a little bit harsh, but when you play for Charlton, that’s what you can expect. Charlton fans have a group of players that want to work from. There’s no passengers, there’s no people that don’t want to play for them. There’s an honesty about the group and that’s what I like. So, it’s down on me then to get the best out of these so that we can score goals, keep clean sheets, win games and gain some momentum. And that’s up to me.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS