Anxious Addicks in Reading stalemate
Charlton remain in 17th place
Also In The News
|
At least one of the Royal Navy personnel released by Iran last week has pledged to give any money he earns from media deals to charity. |  |
Monday, 09, Apr 2007 10:52
Charlton have inched a point further away from the relegation zone after an edgy 0-0 home draw with Uefa Cup hopefuls Reading.
Alan Pardew's side's destiny is not quite in their own hands, as a win would have moved them into 16th place and put real pressure on the teams around them near the drop zone.
Reading were good value for their hard-earned point and shaded both halves in terms of chances created at the Valley.
Talal El Karkouri was tested by the dangerous Leroy Lita within the first minute as the England under-21 international found space in the box, but shortly afterwards the big Moroccan defender was rueing a missed chance of his own.
His header from Darren Ambrose's set piece came crashing back off Marcus Hahnemann's crossbar, only for the ball to bounce safely out.
Charlton's Premiership survival bid was not helped by the sight of Herman Hreidarsson and Marcus Bent both being withdrawn due to injuries within the first 30 minutes, and Steve Coppell's team seized the initiative against their disjointed opponents.
First South Korean winger Seol Ki-Hyeon drew a comfortable save from Scott Carson after being fed by the influential Steve Sidwell, while Nicky Shorey should have done better with a dangerously positioned free-kick after a crude challenge by El Karkouri, who was having a busy night.
The Addicks improved after the break with Chinese international captain Zheng Zhi doing no harm to his burgeoning reputation in English football with a powerful drive that was palmed away by Hahnemann.
The attack-minded midfielder then provided a lovely ball for England striker Darren Bent, but the former Ipswich man screwed his shot wide.
At the other end, Seol got in the way of team-mate Stephen Hunt as the Irishman looked set to bury Sidwell's deep cross, but there was still time for Zheng to miss a similar chance with seconds left on the clock.
Charlton now have 32 points from 33 games, one more than Sheffield United and two more than West Ham, although the latter two teams have both played a game less.
Next Saturday Neil Warnock's team entertain the Hammers, with a trip to Manchester United sandwiched between another six-pointer against the Addicks themselves the following week.
But despite failing to put some distance between them and their rivals, Pardew can be buoyed by the fact his team are unbeaten in six games and have kept four consecutive clean-sheets.