Athletic now follow Watford who were relegated three weeks ago down to the Coca-Cola Championship for play the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley and Scunthorpe United.
They now leave the last trap door behind for Sheffield United, West Ham United and Wigan Athletic to fight to avoid. The Blades face Wigan next Sunday, a defeat could mean Championship football if the Hammers win a point or more against Manchester United.
Hotspurs win at the Valley lifts them into a crucial 6th spot and into a UEFA Cup spot with home games against Blackburn and Manchester City Europe next season should be achievable.
If Charlton were hopeful of weathering the storm and getting a win against there London opponents whey were mistaken when they got off to a terrible start; allowing Dimitar Berbatov to run and fire home his 11th goal of the season; this just in the 7th minute.
And, with injury time looming England striker Jermaine Defoe, a former Athletic youth sealed his old clubs fate with a great effort.