Yakubu gives Charlton sense of familiar decline

Charlton Athletic 1 Portsmouth 1

Charlton have fallen into the disastrous habit in recent years of stopping playing before the season is over. For two seasons in succession, they have managed to win only one of their last 10 matches, and the malaise may be with them again. Running out of steam and ideas in the second half, they were fortunate to rescue a point through the blessing of an early goal. So now it is three matches without a win.

"Everybody around The Valley is frustrated," admitted the manager, Alan Curbishley. "They have seen this happen before. But the players can't try any harder, so we just have to keep going." Things had looked so bright, too, with a goal for them inside 10 minutes. Jonatan Johansson, out on the right, centred to the near post, Jason Euell flicked on and Shaun Bartlett, making his first start after an ankle injury, headed in without a defender in sight. It was his first since scoring at Portsmouth last autumn.

However, Charlton failed to build on their lead, allowing Amdy Faye to take control of midfield, ably abetted by Teddy Sheringham. These two linked with the enterprising left-sided midfielder, Matt Taylor, to create regular trouble for the right side of Charlton's makeshift defence, in which Hermann Hreidarsson was moved into the middle because of injuries.

Paul Konchesky's willingness to run at Pompey's defence and try his luck carried just about the only threat once Charlton had scored, while the visitors built their attacks attractively, with Steve Stone also in fine form on the right. Dean Kiely did well to anticipate a training ground ruse as Portsmouth won a free-kick and Sheringham slid the ball to Taylor whose shot was deliberately flicked on by Stone.

At half-time Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp upped the stakes, removing a defender, Petri Pasanen, and reinforcing the midfield with Eyal Berkovic, who has been out of the side following a virus problem. "Once he came on and got hold of the ball it was a different game," said Redknapp. It was not long, either, before the fast-tiring Sheringham made way for Lomana LuaLua, whose bustle carried more threat.

There were danger signs for Charlton when a Taylor cross fizzed across their goalmouth without anyone being close enough to apply a finish and the equaliser duly arrived from this route. Berkovic's sumptuous through-ball sent Taylor to the by-line and the cross was calmly side-footed in by Aiyegbini Yakubu.

As Charlton laboured, despite bringing on their regular strikers, Paolo Di Canio and Carlton Cole, Portsmouth grew in assurance. Yakubu headed a Stone centre into Kiely's arms, and the Charlton keeper was much more seriously exercised in repelling a LuaLua thunderbolt.

In contrast to Charlton, Portsmouth are growing more assured and climbing out of danger. "I have always thought we would get out of trouble," said Redknapp. "It never entered my mind we would go down." Pointing out that, apart from the enforced sale of Scott Parker, his side were missing eight first-team men through injury, Curbishley still managed to look on the bright side. "My team is unrecognisable from the one that played at Portsmouth last October but there are plenty of clubs who would like to be where we are. We are healthy in the League and healthy at the bank."

Charlton Athletic 1
Bartlett 8

Portsmouth 1
Yakubu 65

Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 26,385