A five-star Performance for Charlton Athletic as they secure three vital points in the battle for top spot.
The Addicks started the first half strongly, dominating possession for the first 15 minutes and creating multiple attacking opportunities. Portsmouth were forced to defend heavily in the early stages, with Hutton striking the crossbar and Bissell narrowly missing over the bar.
Charlton finally broke through in the 18th minute when Bissell delivered a cross to Newsham on the opposite edge of the box. The number three calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the Addicks a one-goal advantage for the remainder of the half.
Portsmouth found their rhythm at times in the first half, forcing Whitehouse into action to deny any attempts from the Blues. In the 36th minute, Pompey launched a dangerous attack, but Whitehouse produced an outstanding double save to prevent an equaliser.
In the second half, Charlton showed no mercy, adding four more goals to their tally.
Ellie Brazil opened the second-half scoring in the 55th minute when the Portsmouth goalkeeper’s deflection from a previous save fell into her path. She made no mistake, slotting the ball into the far bottom corner.
Just three minutes later, Hutton netted Charlton’s third goal. Muya controlled the ball at the byline before delivering a precise cross to Hutton on the penalty spot, who fired it straight down the middle.
Portsmouth had no time to regroup before Brazil struck again in the 62nd minute. Muya found space up the pitch and found Brazil who slotted it past the keeper, extending Charlton’s lead to 4-0.
With a comfortable advantage, Hills made several substitutions over the next 10 minutes, including a debut for Greta Humphries!
The fifth and final goal came in the 72nd minute, courtesy of January signing Emma Bissell, who found the net for the first time in a Charlton shirt.
Only three minutes of added time were played, during which Charlton saw out the match with just 10 players after Hutton was forced off injured.
It was a successful day on the south coast for the Addicks as they head into the first international break of 2025 on a high.
CHARLTON: Whitehouse, Newsham, N'Dow (Humphries 73), Pearse, Skeels, Hutton, Filis (Primus 65), Bradley (Bashford 73), Bissell, Brazil (O'Rourke 78), Muya (Barton 65)
