Charlton 0 Portsmouth 0
The Addicks claimed an impressive point on Saturday afternoon, drawing 0-0 with table-toppers Portsmouth at the Valley.
The match exploded into life in just the third minute when Charlton went within inches of taking the lead. Karoy Anderson, who is enjoying an extended run in the starting XI, fired the ball into the feet of Alfie May, and the striker flicked the ball to his left.
Daniel Kanu was there to take one touch and fire across goal with his left foot, but he would see the ball come back off the inside of the post and back into Will Norris’ arms.
Just 30 seconds later, Pompey had an equally good opportunity to go in front when Abu Kamara got free down the right. The winger was fouled by Lloyd Jones, but an advantage played by the referee allowed Colby Bishop to take over, and the striker struck a shot at goal but was denied by Harry Isted diving to his left.
It was a fairly even start to the game, but in the 16th minute it was the visitors turn to hit the woodwork when Joe Rafferty’s dinked cross from the right found Callum Lang unmarked eight yards out. The forward’s header was straight at Isted and the goalkeeper beat the ball away, but Paddy Lane was following it up, and the winger sent a header arcing over Isted but saw the ball come back off the crossbar and away.
After a brief period of respite, the game was alive again come the 33rd minute, when a teasing cross from Tennai Watson was flicked just over by a combination of Kanu and May from four yards out.
It was an impressive first-half display from the Addicks, and they could have gone ahead in stoppage time when Anderson charged down a Conor Shaughnessy clearance in the box and had the opportunity to shoot, but opted to square the ball and had his pass cleared by Rafferty.
It was a less-eventful start to the second half, but the Addicks arguably remained the better side and went close again in the 66th minute. After a corner broke down, Thierry Small’s cross was flicked on by Terell Thomas and then Chuks Aneke, but Rarmani Edmonds-Green’s effort saved by Norris.
Pompey responded well, going close four minutes later when a Jack Sparkes corner was backheeled just wide by Lang.
Set-pieces appeared to be the visitors’ best route to goal, and they were nearly ahead with ten minutes to go after a Sparkes inswinging free-kick had to be touched over by Isted.
It was a nervy conclusion, and Pompey nearly won it in the 88th minute when Myles Peart-Harris was sent through on goal, but the winger was denied by an excellent last-ditch challenge from Macaulay Gillesphey.
It is now two draws from two for Charlton against Portsmouth this season, who are stringing together a solid unbeaten run under Nathan Jones.
Charlton: Isted; Edmonds-Green, Jones, Thomas; T Watson (Gillesphey 77), Dobson (c), Bakinson (Camará 77), Anderson (Edun 90), Small; May (Aneke 60), Kanu (Campbell 90)
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Ladapo
Booked: Bakinson 38 (time-wasting), Jones 67 (dissent)
Portsmouth: Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie (Sparkes 61); Moxon, Pack (c); Kamara, Lang (Yengi 73), Lane (Peart-Harris 73), Bishop
Subs (not used): Macey, Towler, Saydee, Martin
Attendance: 16,732 (3,155 away)
Referee: Robert Madley