CHARLTON 2, SHEFFIELD UTD 5

CHARLTON boss Alan Pardew was sacked last night following this humiliating home drubbing.

The axe fell as his Addicks slipped into the drop zone with only one victory in their last 12 matches, having conceded 13 goals in their last four games.

Although the decision was by mutual consent, it is clear the club's football chairman Richard Murray and his board pointed the way to the exit.

Sticky

Pardew said: "My record coming to this club has been good but it's been difficult here. When I arrived they were on the slide and I haven't been able to stop that.

"We're in a sticky situation and I have to accept whatever decision is made."

Murray said: "On reflection of results so far this season, and looking at the future challenges for the remainder of the campaign, it was agreed by both parties that Alan would leave the club with immediate effect."

Assistant manager Phil Parkinson has been put in charge for Tuesday's visit to QPR, while former Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd is among the frontrunners for the job.

Awful

Thousands of fans gathered outside the doors at Charlton after the game demanding that Pardew, who has been in charge for just under two years, must go.

Pardew, 47, was clearly distraught Immediately after this latest disaster display, describing it as "bloody awful".

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He added: "I can understand the fans' anger. The results are so disappointing.

"We look short of confidence, particularly at home, and the result was ugly goals."

When asked whether he would quit, he answered: "It is not my decision and, in respect to the staff and the players, I am prepared to stay and battle it out.

Tough

"I have faced tough times before and we will just have to be as positive as we can."

Charlton were completely outplayed by a Sheffield United side who lifted themselves back into the top three.

The Blades were ahead after only seven minutes through James Beattie.

And, although Linvoy Primus headed an equaliser from Nicky Bailey's free-kick on 15 minutes, it all went downhill after that for Pardew's side.

Gary Speed's diving header made it 2-1 to the Blades, while central defender Matthew Kilgallon added a third just before the break after keeper Nicky Weaver had missed out in a challenge with Beattie.

The Charlton fans began chanting for Pardew's head soon after the interval when Kelly Youga put through his own goal, before Stephen Quinn volleyed Billy Sharp's cross into the far corner.

On-loan striker Hameur Bouazza pulled one back for Charlton on 56 minutes, but it was too little too late for Pardew.

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