Fergie's harvest at The Valley

The Jesus freak standing outside The Valley did his best to get his message across before kick-off. "You need a saviour in your lives,'' he announced into a loudhailer. "There is only one saviour and it is not Charlton Athletic."

You couldn't fault him on the facts. All prayers that the Londoners could wither Manchester United's rejuvenated title challenge fell on stony ground, despite an uninspired performance from the champions.

It wasn't for want of trying on Charlton's part, but their finishing bore a close resemblance to Schubert's symphony. Eleven of their 12 shots were off-target.

According to manager Alan Curbishley, his opposite number changed his mind about retiring because United's comparatively patchy form reawakened his hunger for the fight.

On yesterday's evidence Alex Ferguson should retain a healthy appetite for some time. On the other hand, of course it was to their credit that they scored twice without reply - making it 35 goals in the last 12 games - on a day when they were short of their best.

It seemed likely Charlton would have to score in the first half hour if they were to get anything out of the game, and they set about the task in earnest, aided by some uncertain United defending. Jason Euell and Kevin Lisbie both hovered threateningly but United were finding their feet. Ryan Giggs shot wide and Roy Keane drew a good save from Dean Kiely. Then Mark Fish failed to deal with Keane's 50-yard crossfield pass. Instead it found Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose finish was so classy he made it look artless.

Charlton kept at it. Roy Carroll, in for the injured Fabien Barthez, saved from Euell. After the break Euell somehow headed wide from six yards.