Sheffield Wednesday recorded back-to-back wins ahead of the Easter international break and enhanced their chances of a play-off position as teams around them dropped points.
Charlton came to Hillsborough on the back of beating high-flying Middlesbrough last weekend and had taken 7 points from 3 games, conceding only 1 goal in the process.
The visitors kept a disciplined shape without offering much going forward in the 1st half and managed to frustrate the Owls who were lacking midfield creativity without the suspended Barry Bannan.
Carlos Carvalhal made 2 substitutions at half-time, replacing deep lying midfielder Sam Hutchinson with Alex Lopez and bringing striker Atdhe Nuhiu on for Aiden McGeady, moving Fernando Forestieri to a wide position.
The changes allowed the home side to enjoy more possession further up the pitch and spurred on by a near 30,000 crowd who found their voices in the 2nd half their pressure finally paid off.
Tom Lees broke the deadlock just after the hour mark with a powerful back-post header from a corner, Forestieri doubled the lead 5 minutes later, heading home after Nuhiu's header came back off the post and Lopez made in 3-0 with 15 minutes to go with a deflected shot following a well worked short corner.
Elsewhere in the play-off picture Derby maintained their 2 point advantage on the Owls by beating local rivals Nottingham Forest 1-0 but the chasing pack all dropped points. Ipswich lost at home to Rotherham, Birmingham were held by Fulham and Cardiff drew at Reading.
Wednesday travel to Huddersfield when the Championship action resumes on 2nd April.