Charlton enjoyed the perfect start to the new season with a 2-0 home win over Swansea.
Hudson and Gray on target as Monk sees red
Charlton Athletic enjoyed the perfect start to the new season with a 2-0 home win over promoted Swansea City.
Mark Hudson marked his Addicks debut by putting his new club into an early lead before Andy Gray scored a late second to clinch the points.
Swansea's disappointing day back in the second tier also saw defender Garry Monk sent off in the 69th minute.
Roberto Martinez's side were beginning their first season in the top two tiers of the Football League in 25 years, but fell behind within 90 seconds when some woeful marking allowed Hudson to head in from Jonjo Shelvey's corner.
Nightmare start
It was a nightmare start for the new boys but they soon settled down into the fluid attacking play which was their trademark last season with the duo of Ferrie Bodde and Darren Pratley bossing midfield.
Pratley had Swansea's best effort as they dominated possession but his shot from the edge of the area was well held by Nicky Weaver.
And Lloyd Sam nearly extended the hosts' lead as the half drew to a close but his volley from another Shelvey corner was tipped over by De Vries.
Thomas Butler's shot from inside the box almost brought the newly-promoted side back on level terms five minutes into the second half, and the former Sunderland midfielder then fired the ball over the bar from even closer range.
Plucky
The Swans were down to 10 men on 69 minutes when Monk was booked twice within minutes for fouls on Luke Varney and Matt Holland.
The plucky visitors responded by bringing on striker Jason Scotland for midfielder Mark Gower, and the substitute's shot was parried by Weaver with 11 minutes remaining.
Hameur Bouazza, signed on loan from Fulham earlier on Saturday, came on as a late substitute for Charlton shortly before the Addicks wrapped up victory.
Gomez brought down Varney and substitute Grant Basey's free-kick from the left was headed home by Gray.
