Jordan Ayew ended a 215-day wait for a club goal by scoring his first for Sheffield United, but the Ghana captain could not prevent a 2-1 Championship defeat by Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
The 35-year-old forward headed in from close range in the 25th minute at The Valley, cancelling out Millenic Alli’s opener. Substitute Matt Godden then secured victory for the hosts with 11 minutes remaining.
Ayew’s goal was his first since joining Sheffield United on a one-year contract as a free agent on September 8, following his departure from Leicester City. His previous club goal had come for Leicester against Sheffield Wednesday on April 6.
He had gone close to opening the scoring after four minutes, but Charlton goalkeeper Will Mannion blocked his low effort with his legs. Eight minutes later, Alli received Dan McNamara’s pass before driving a 20-yard shot inside Michael Cooper’s left-hand post for his first goal since moving from Luton Town.
Sheffield United drew level after Alli fouled Romelle Donovan on the left. Mannion punched away Kalvin Phillips’ free-kick, but Ayew reacted fastest to head the loose ball into the net.
Ayew played 71 minutes before being replaced, while Charlton continued to threaten after the interval.
Godden made the decisive contribution only four minutes after coming on, turning Alli’s cross into the near post in the 79th minute. The result ended a run of 11 Championship matches without a win for Nathan Jones’ side, a sequence stretching back to late August.
Mannion ensured Charlton held on in the closing stages. He tipped an 85th-minute Phillips free-kick over the bar and then went low to keep out a shot from Sydie Peck deep into eight minutes of added time.
The defeat ended a run of successive league victories for Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, who are 10th in the Championship before their next home match against Watford. Charlton moved up to 19th.
Ayew, who made his Sheffield United debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 13, returns to international duty next week. He scored six goals in 42 Championship appearances for Leicester last season.
The forward is expected to captain Ghana in their must-win 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia. The matches will both be played at Essipong in Sekondi, on November 12 and 16.
The National Sports Authority has set ticket prices for the fixtures at GH¢50, while students will be admitted free. Ghana recently suffered qualifying defeats by Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
