Manchester City 0 Charlton 1

Alan Curbishley is hoping Charlton's much needed victory will kick start their troubled Premiership campaign.

"I hope it is the start of our season. Manchester City, Everton and Southampton have all shown by stringing together a couple of results they can move well away from the lower reaches of the table," explained the Addicks manager.

Curbishley, whose side was fourth bottom before the start of play, felt Charlton deserved their victory which was only their second in 11 league and cup matches.

Indeed, with more of a cutting edge - Charlton's early season failing has mainly been in front of goal - they would have won by one goal.

That came in the 79th minute when striker Shaun Bartlett found the net for only the second time this season.

Jonatan Johansson fired a low ball across the face of goal, Jason Euell failed to connect, but South African Bartlett made no mistake from six yards.

City manager Kevin Keegan conceded that it was a case of after the Lord Mayor's show, following the memorable Manchester derby victory of the previous week.

Keegan admitted that his side, seeking a fourth successive Premiership victory, didn't deserve to win and that four or five players were below par.

He didn't question the efforts of commitment but added that his players failed to run that "extra half yard" as they had done in the derby.

Keegan again spoke of his desire to strengthen his side when the transfer window opens in January. He said: "I want to take the club forward and to do that I need to bring in two or three players, because I want more games like last week than against Wigan and today.

"We are not yet a top side and don't have enough top players who will turn up every week."