THE ADDICKS could not have hoped for a more impressive return to top-flight football at The Valley, after an absence of 41 years.

And who would have thought last season's First Division play-off finalists would have headed the Carling Premiership?

A Clive Mendonca hat trick was the highlight of Saturday's game as Charlton recorded their ninth league clean sheet in a row.

The Saints' job was made harder when goalkeeper Paul Jones was sent off in the second half for a foul on Mendonca, but by then the Addicks were already on top. John Robinson fired them in front in the fourth minute and Neil Redfearn added a second within a minute of the restart.

Mendonca added to his penalty conversion in the 81st minute.

Taking advantage of a collision between Claus Lundekvam and Jason Dodd, the Addicks hitman slotted the ball past makeshift keeper David Howells.

His hat trick was complete in the 89th minute as he netted from a long Sasa Ilic clearance. The result put Charlton top of the Premiership table as they prepared for this weekend's trip to Highbury.

"We've got a couple of tough away games coming up and this result has given us the boost we will need leading up to those," said the Addicks boss after the game.

R Kleinman/J Thynne

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