Magic dust Charlton Athletic 2 Brentford 0
We signed up to the revolution on Saturday. The Royal Oak recently abandoned was humming way before a time in the day most people should be drinking beer, on Harvey Gardens excited strangers nodded and smiled enthusiatically at each other, and in the ground there was an air of expectancy not seen since Elton John played a live gig in 2006. It was an incredible reversal, fans were encouraging their team at every opportunity, cheering and clapping passages of play the like we had not witnessed for a very long time. It was as if magic dust has been sprinkled over The Valley by the football fairies.

Tell me I am talking nonsense but if Arsenal had scored that second goal Sky would have been wetting their knickers. The highlights programme on Sunday only showed the final couple of passes before Sam finished with aplomb. 19 passes before the ball reached Sam, that is 19, the same amount as we probably made the whole of last season. It was a stupendous goal and one I will kill many more of the duller moments in my life reliving the memory.

Talking of which my memory ain't what is used to be. Addled by work crap and useless information, I am finding it hard to remember a goal so well worked and scored by us at The Valley since I first started attending in 1975. Yep, I'll give you Hales v Hull City. Any others?

Brentford were a good side no doubt and were backed by noisy support, They forced plenty of corners and deserved much credit for keeping up the momentum until the very end but once we avoided the head tennis and got the ball down we played some excellent stuff. Racon, Semedo, Bailey, Sam, Shelvey and Burton moved the ball around with such quick precision and confidence Brentford like others before them this season could not live with us. I have liked Semedo and Racon since first seeing them play but whilst Jonjo and Sam have been getting the plaudits the young blokes from Portugal and France respectively are an immense duo in the middle of the park.

The revitalised Sam was my MoM but I actually thought behind him Richardson was awesome and on the other flank Bailey appeared in both boxes so often a neutral may have wondered if he was a striker or a defender. Llera didn't surprise me, I think he is liable to make mistakes but he is just as likely to have the fans purring. Dailly meanwhile is proving an inspired signing and it isn't just Youga's haircut that is making him unrecognisable from the player that we once knew.

In a week when Chelsea got the book thrown at them by FIFA for poaching young players, after the game the national media focused heavily on our academy and mostly of course Jonjo's decision to sign a contract extension. Rob Elliott, who I feel obliged to report did flap at a couple of crosses before he made a terrific point-blank save from Carl Cort accompanied Sam and Shelvey in the starting line up but they were joined by Randolph, Solly, Wagstaff and Tuna on the bench. Each one of the reports also missed the fact that the Bees' Myles Weston and Charlie MacDonald, who got a nice reception from home fans, also came out of our academy.

A very enjoyable day then for my first league visit of the season. Phil Parkinson, Tim Breacker and Mark Kinsella have instilled an amazing belief amongst the players and supporters magic dust or not.

Reports: Many Miles; Charlton Casual; Blackheath Addicted; Deepest Darkest; Charlton Athletic Online; Drinking During the Game.
Quote: "Parkinson’s side have been transformed from the dull-witted relegation fodder of last season to a team having the most enormous fun. Before their second goal, the home side enjoyed a passage of play that boasted accurate, intelligent and often daring passing." - The Times  ¶ 05:50