The concerned noise surrounding Leicester may not have quieted at the Valley, but Martí Cifuentes’s team, who are aiming for a swift return to the Premier League, brushed aside the doubts and Charlton’s high-intensity press to secure their first away win of the season. Abdul Fatawu’s sensational strike proved decisive in a 1-0 victory that ended a streak of nine winless away games.

Cifuentes’s style of play is becoming clear, with Leicester building through the triangle of Hamza Choudhury, Boubakary Soumaré, and Fatawu to move the ball upfield. Charlton, however, were aggressive from the first whistle despite lacking possession, with Conor Coventry covering plenty of ground in midfield to shut down Leicester’s right-sided combinations. Their press gave them the early chances, as Tyreece Campbell and Greg Docherty saw back-to-back efforts blocked in the fourth minute before Miles Leaburn’s shot was deflected wide.

Leicester are still searching for a striker to replace Jamie Vardy, who departed this summer after 13 seasons and 200 goals in all competitions. For now, Jordan Ayew has been tasked with leading the line, but the 33-year-old struggled to impact play. Often isolated against Charlton’s Lloyd Jones, Ayew was unable to provide the hold-up play or movement Leicester needed. When he dropped deep, he rarely evaded pressure or retained possession, leaving the visitors without a focal point in attack.

Charlton continued to threaten, evading the press in the 35th minute to find Rob Apter, whose cross flashed across the box without a finishing touch. Coventry then unleashed a 35-yard strike that forced Jakub Stolarczyk into a strong save. Two corners early in the second half kept the pressure on, as Jones saw a header deflected wide and Amari’i Bell was denied on the line. Moments later, Charlton would rue those missed chances.

With one moment of brilliance, Fatawu broke the deadlock. Skipping forward from the right, he cut inside and curled an outrageous strike into the far top corner, leaving the hosts helpless. It was the first goal Charlton had conceded this season.

The home crowd of 22,183 roared their support as Charlton pushed harder, with Leaburn nearly intercepting a pass from Stolarczyk to Jannik Vestergaard inside the box. They piled on corners, coming closest in the 67th minute when a chaotic scramble saw the ball trickle just wide of the post. In the 82nd minute, Jones thought he had equalized with a header from their 12th corner, but the goal was ruled out for a foul, sparking furious chants towards referee Dean Whitestone.

Charlton’s final chance came in the 90th minute when Campbell rose highest from a corner but headed narrowly over.