|
|
 |
|
|
|
Match Report
Charlton v Portsmouth 21 August 2004
Hislop gifts Addicks victory
Charlton 2 - 1 Portsmouth
by Rob Lancaster
Charlton had to thank a bizarre own goal for their 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at The Valley.
An entertaining and open encounter appeared to be heading for a draw until a late blunder by Shaka Hislop in the away net handed the hosts the spoils.
The manner of defeat was cruel on Pompey but no Charlton fan will be complaining as they pick up their first points of the new campaign.
The hosts started the brighter as they looked to banish the memory of their opening day mauling at Bolton. Jonathan Fortune was the first to test Hislop, although his header from a corner was comfortably held by the custodian, and Danny Murphy went close inside the first ten minutes as his left-foot half-volley just went the wrong side of the post.
After struggling so badly away from home last season, Portsmouth were understandably keen to make sure they did not concede an early goal and their 5-3-2 formation was frustrating The Addicks.
Width proved to be the key for the hosts and it was a cross from the right that led to the opening goal as Jason Euell ghosted into the box to stab the ball high into the net.
The strike clearly lifted Charlton and they began to grow in confidence. It could well have been two soon after but no one in a red shirt was on hand to tap home Sean Bartlett's flick back from a deep free kick.
Manager Harry Redknapp was clearly not happy with his team's efforts in the first half and opted to bring on Matthew Taylor straight after the break to try and give his side an extra attacking dimension.
The away side could have been level almost immediately as they worked a good opening down the left flank, but Tresor Lomana Lua Lua wasted the chance as he blazed over from the edge of the box when he had a clear sight of goal.
However the scores were soon level as Patrik Berger rattled in an early contender for goal of the season. The former Liverpool midfielder conjured up a goal out of nothing as, with his back to goal, he flicked up a pass and volleyed the ball in from 30 yards out.
Kiely could do nothing about the strike as it dipped over his despairing dive into the far right corner of the net and all of a sudden the game was back in the balance.
The equaliser proved a shock to the system for Alan Curbishley's troops and it appeared the Czechs' fine solo strike was set to deny them a home win. But fortunes were to turn their way in the final few minutes as an own goal handed them all three points.
Two Portsmouth defenders both went for the same free kick with David Unsworth appearing to get the final touch, sending the ball back towards his own goal.
But just as it looked like Hislop would avert the danger, the experienced keeper let the ball slip under his body and had to agonisingly watch as it slowly trickled into the net.
Report From  , For full report and stats, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
