Charlton Athletic 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2

CHARLTON?S seven-year stay in the Premiership ended in tears on an emotion-charged night at The Valley on Monday.

Needing a win to keep alive their slim hopes of staying up, the club's gallant fight for survival was finally killed off by early and late goals from Dimitar Berbatov and ex-Addick Jermain Defoe.

Meanwhile, Charlton were left to contemplate football in the Championship next season, though there were no recriminations from the club's supporters who stayed on long after the final whistle to cheer the team and manager Alan Pardew.

"Always look on the bright side of life" they sang to lift the dejected manager and his players, many of whom were making their final appearance at The Valley before summer transfer moves.

The Addicks made the worst possible start, conceding a seventh minute goal during a nervy start. Spurs skipper Ledley King played a peach of a pass into the stride of Berbatov who shrugged off the challenge of Talal El Karkouri to produce a crisp finish.

Midfielder Alex Song wasted a glorious equalising chance in the 36th minute when he headed wide of an open goal after Darren Bent created the chance.

Charlton appeals for a penalty were rejected when Michael Dawson appeared to trip Zheng Zhi in the 58th minute. The scoreline looked to remain the same until Defoe sealed Charlton?s fate in the final minute.

Charlton: Carson; Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Hreidarsson; Ambrose, Holland, Song (Sam 70), Zheng (Hughes 84); M Bent (Hasselbaink 70); D Bent.
Subs Not Used: Randolph, Bougherra.
Attendance: 26,339.

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