Cottagers spoil Pardew debut
Pardew was denied a winning start after being appointed manager on Sunday
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Wednesday, 27, Dec 2006 10:26
Alan Pardew got off to a frustrating start as Charlton boss after a last-gasp equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Fulham at the Valley.
A controversial 93rd minute strike from Franck Queudrue gave the Cottagers a point with Pardew punching the air in disgust.
The struggling south Londoners looked to have sealed victory through goals from Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent after Brian McBride had given the Cottagers the lead.
Pardew made three changes in his first match in charge with Marcus Bent, Ambrose and Jerome Thomas starting.
Fulham manager Chris Coleman welcomed back striker Collins John after a hamstring injury while former Addick Claus Jensen started on the bench.
Former Hearts defender Stephen Pressley was spotted in the crowd, sparking rumours he will be signed by Pardew in the January transfer window.
Pardew's debut began in nightmare fashion on 13 minutes after goalkeeper Scott Carson could only tip Carlos Bocanegra's header onto the bar with McBride knocking in the rebound.
Three minutes later, Fulham should have doubled the lead when an unmarked Heidur Helguson powered his header wide from ten yards after Tomasz Radsinski's deep cross.
The Valley erupted on 19 minutes when goalkeeper's Niemi's weak punch from a high ball fell to Ambrose who whacked his shot in off the post to equalise.
Charlton continued to press and came close to taking the lead in the first half.
First, Bent's rasping shot from 15 yards flew inches wide after he raced past the Fulham defence.
Then, Thomas controlled the ball on his chest inside the box and his left foot shot whistled past the post in the 30th minute.
On the stroke of time, Charlton took the lead after some shambolic defending from the Cottagers.
Defenders Philippe Christanval and Carlos Bocanegra waited for each other to clear and Bent sneaked it to score.
Pardew brought on flying winger Dennis Rommedahl for Thomas at half-time in search of another goal.
On 48 minutes his prayers were nearly answered when Rommedahl's cross fell to an unmarked Ambrose who smashed his shot wide from just inside the box.
Charlton then sat back for the rest of the half as the Cottagers cranked up the pressure in search of an equaliser.
Michael Brown forced Carson into a good save on 66 minutes from a deflected shot while Bocanegra went close with a late header.
Fulham were awarded a dubious free-kick in the dying stages by referee Graham Poll from 50 yards out.
The Addicks defence failed to clear with Queudrue slamming home with his right foot from eight yards despite appeals for handball from the hosts.
Charlton remain in 19th place, seven points from safety, while Fulham are in 12th position.