Tyreece Campbell Can Go All The Way After Stoke Winner, Says Charlton Boss Jones

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Tyreece Campbell came off the bench to hit a late winner as Charlton Athletic beat Stoke City 1-0 at The Valley, a result that lifted Charlton seven points clear of the Championship relegation places and extended Stoke’s winless league run to five matches.

Stoke controlled long spells with 64.1% possession but created little. Only two efforts tested the Charlton goalkeeper, and the visitors finished with an xG of 0.5, underlining recurring attacking problems that have left Stoke searching for a first league victory in five games.

The decisive moment arrived nine minutes from the end. Ashley Phillips misjudged a Lyndon Dykes flick, allowing Campbell to pounce for a composed finish. The goal was Campbell’s third in the Championship this season and capped an important contribution after starting the match among the substitutes.

Charlton’s advantage in the relegation battle is now seven points, easing immediate pressure on Nathan Jones. The head coach has worked with a young squad and sees Campbell, aged 22, as a key attacking option, provided Campbell develops greater confidence and consistency in front of goal.

"I had a feeling about TC tonight after last Friday night's game [the 0-0 draw with Queens Park Rangers], where I didn't feel he was at it, the Charlton boss said.I gave him a little bit of a chat, and I just had a feeling about him tonight. If he realises how good he is and gets his mental side of everything right, then the kid can go all the way. He moves like a Premier League player. How he controls things, how he shifts, how he runshe has all the physical attributes to be that. It's just up to us to bring that together."

Jones highlighted Campbell’s movement, control and running power as qualities suited to the top flight, stressing that Charlton’s staff must help shape those raw tools. The Welsh coach framed the forward’s progress as a mental challenge as much as a technical or physical one.

The evening also carried extra emotion for Jones against his former club. Jones previously led Stoke for a 10‑month spell in 2019 and celebrated firmly at full-time, which led to a post-match confrontation with Stoke coach Ryan Shawcross as feelings ran high.

"It has been an emotional night for me, so I wanted to get off the pitch as soon as possible, or I'd have got myself in trouble, he added.They [Stoke fans]have given me stick ever since I was there. I wouldn't read too much into that. That's part and parcel of it. They give me a little bit;I give them a little bit. Surely, they realise that's banter, especially when we have won the game."

Despite the defeat, Stoke’s numbers showed control without cutting edge. The visitors dominated the ball but lacked sharpness in the final third, while Charlton made the most of limited openings and defended compactly to protect Campbell’s late strike.

Midfielder Steven N'Zonzi reflected on another frustrating outing for Stoke. N'Zonzi accepted that the team defended poorly for Charlton’s goal and stressed that the squad must produce far more in attack if Stoke are to turn performances into points.

"I don't think it was a bad game overall. We just conceded that goal, and we couldn't score, he told BBC Radio Stoke. Of course, we have to do much better for the goal, but then offensively as a team, we have to do much, much better. If you want to win games, you have to score goals. We are competitive players, we are a competitive team, we are a competitive club and, obviously, when you lose, you have to be disappointed. But the season is not finished, you have to keep working hard and keep training hard and trying to get some points. We have to go and try and win as much as we can, and try to play freely."

Charlton leave the match with a crucial victory, a larger cushion above the Championship drop zone and renewed belief in Campbell’s development, while Stoke depart with more possession, another defeat, and clear reminders from N'Zonzi that improvement in both penalty areas is still required.