There's only one Shaka Hislop!
This is what the Addickted chanted after the Pompey goalkeeper let the ball slip from his grasp on 87 minutes to give Charlton a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at The Valley on August 21st. It was a somewhat uneven performance by the Addicks who gave away possession too easily and often seemed to lack shape with the midfield nowhere in evidence. However, there were some encouraging signs as well and Charlton increasingly dominated the second half, particularly after the belated introduction of the substitutes.
One of the consequences of the introduction of the anodyne Premiership anthem and the handshake between the teams, rightly criticised by Peter Varney in the programme, is that the teams come out of a walking pace which tends to spoil the atmosphere. Apparently this 'innovation' was introduced without any consultation with the clubs.
Charlton started brightly with the Herminator winning a corner on the left, the first of a number of good moves down the wing he was to make. A strike by Murphy required a save on the line from Hislop. Charlton kept up the pressure and good work by Kevin Lisbie set up Rommedahl whose effort was just wide. Kishishev put in a good ball to Euell but he was unable to make use of it. Deano spilled the ball, but fortunately he was not punished as a Portsmouth effort went just wide.
The Herminator won Charlton another corner. Murphy's corner was intercepted by Lisbie but his header hit the croosbar. Euell had a chance but his effort was wide. Lua Lua, who did not always seem to be properly marked, was something of a danger. After 23 minutes Rommedahl put in a cross and Euell celebrated his 100th appearance for the Addicks with a sweet strike into the back of the net that left Hislop stranded.
Charlton won a couple more corners, one after the West Stand linesman was overruled by referee Wiley who had a decent game, and a free kick won by Bartlett was taken by Murphy. Jonathan Fortune found himself too far forward, lost the ball and gifted Portsmouth a corner. Three minutes before the end of the half Deano had to get down to push the ball round the post after Lua Lua had broken through with Young and Kishishev at fault. Lisbie had an effort just before the break which was just wide.
Portsmouth withdrew former Addick Linvoy Primus at half time and replaced him by Matthew Taylor and it was soon clear why they had done this as he showed an ability to forge forward down the wing. Rommedahl fed Murphy but his cross was poor. Luke Young put a good ball in and Rommedahl just failed to connect. The Herminator was brought down on the edge of the area. Murphy provided a good free kick, but it was not productive.
Fortune conceded an unnecessary free kick. Berger pounced on the delivery and put in an incredible high curving ball from 30 yards that left Deano beaten to make it 1-1. My first reaction was 'fluke goal', but in fact it was a very good goal.
Bartlett went down injured and required treatment. Charm merchant Unsworth was given a yellow card for his latest assault on Rommedahl who had a made a forging run forward, but unfortunately the free kick came off a Portsmouth wall modelled on a sea wall and the ball was given away. Nevertheless, Steve from Sidcup felt that this was the turning point in the game with Rommedahl's run lifting the Charlton team. Andy Griffin was pulled off and replaced by John Curtis for Pompey. Lisbie found himself one on one with Hislop and had a chance to score, but he did not take best advantage of the opportunity and Hislop was able to make a save. Redknapp made his last substitution on 75 minutes, taking off Berkovic and bringing on O'Neil. Needless to say, despite the scoreline, Charlton had made no substitutions by this stage.
Luke Young won Charlton a corner and at last there were signs of movement on the bench. Bartlett, who had taken a few knocks, was taken off on 77 minutes and replaced by Jeffers. The Herminator had a free header from the corner, but sent it well over the crossbar. Jeffers may be known as 'the fox in the box', but his first effort for the club was a shot from distance which went over, but not by much. Charlton were looking better and Rommedahl was not too far off target after an Addicks free kick. On 83 minutes Murphy, who had been lacking sharpness for much of the second half, and is perhaps not fully match fit, was replaced by Konchesky.
A free kick by the Herminator way down on the West Stand side was intercepted by Unsworth, but his defensive header was too much for Hislop who let the ball slip under him. Owen Goal had come to Charlton's rescue once again! Rommedahl got a good ovation as he went off to be replaced by El Karkouri. After that it was just a matter of keeping control of the ball until the three points were in the bag. Villa on Wednesday will show what Charlton are really made of, especially with 'Carthorse' Cole determined to show his worth.
One of the consequences of the introduction of the anodyne Premiership anthem and the handshake between the teams, rightly criticised by Peter Varney in the programme, is that the teams come out of a walking pace which tends to spoil the atmosphere. Apparently this 'innovation' was introduced without any consultation with the clubs.
Charlton started brightly with the Herminator winning a corner on the left, the first of a number of good moves down the wing he was to make. A strike by Murphy required a save on the line from Hislop. Charlton kept up the pressure and good work by Kevin Lisbie set up Rommedahl whose effort was just wide. Kishishev put in a good ball to Euell but he was unable to make use of it. Deano spilled the ball, but fortunately he was not punished as a Portsmouth effort went just wide.
The Herminator won Charlton another corner. Murphy's corner was intercepted by Lisbie but his header hit the croosbar. Euell had a chance but his effort was wide. Lua Lua, who did not always seem to be properly marked, was something of a danger. After 23 minutes Rommedahl put in a cross and Euell celebrated his 100th appearance for the Addicks with a sweet strike into the back of the net that left Hislop stranded.
Charlton won a couple more corners, one after the West Stand linesman was overruled by referee Wiley who had a decent game, and a free kick won by Bartlett was taken by Murphy. Jonathan Fortune found himself too far forward, lost the ball and gifted Portsmouth a corner. Three minutes before the end of the half Deano had to get down to push the ball round the post after Lua Lua had broken through with Young and Kishishev at fault. Lisbie had an effort just before the break which was just wide.
Portsmouth withdrew former Addick Linvoy Primus at half time and replaced him by Matthew Taylor and it was soon clear why they had done this as he showed an ability to forge forward down the wing. Rommedahl fed Murphy but his cross was poor. Luke Young put a good ball in and Rommedahl just failed to connect. The Herminator was brought down on the edge of the area. Murphy provided a good free kick, but it was not productive.
Fortune conceded an unnecessary free kick. Berger pounced on the delivery and put in an incredible high curving ball from 30 yards that left Deano beaten to make it 1-1. My first reaction was 'fluke goal', but in fact it was a very good goal.
Bartlett went down injured and required treatment. Charm merchant Unsworth was given a yellow card for his latest assault on Rommedahl who had a made a forging run forward, but unfortunately the free kick came off a Portsmouth wall modelled on a sea wall and the ball was given away. Nevertheless, Steve from Sidcup felt that this was the turning point in the game with Rommedahl's run lifting the Charlton team. Andy Griffin was pulled off and replaced by John Curtis for Pompey. Lisbie found himself one on one with Hislop and had a chance to score, but he did not take best advantage of the opportunity and Hislop was able to make a save. Redknapp made his last substitution on 75 minutes, taking off Berkovic and bringing on O'Neil. Needless to say, despite the scoreline, Charlton had made no substitutions by this stage.
Luke Young won Charlton a corner and at last there were signs of movement on the bench. Bartlett, who had taken a few knocks, was taken off on 77 minutes and replaced by Jeffers. The Herminator had a free header from the corner, but sent it well over the crossbar. Jeffers may be known as 'the fox in the box', but his first effort for the club was a shot from distance which went over, but not by much. Charlton were looking better and Rommedahl was not too far off target after an Addicks free kick. On 83 minutes Murphy, who had been lacking sharpness for much of the second half, and is perhaps not fully match fit, was replaced by Konchesky.
A free kick by the Herminator way down on the West Stand side was intercepted by Unsworth, but his defensive header was too much for Hislop who let the ball slip under him. Owen Goal had come to Charlton's rescue once again! Rommedahl got a good ovation as he went off to be replaced by El Karkouri. After that it was just a matter of keeping control of the ball until the three points were in the bag. Villa on Wednesday will show what Charlton are really made of, especially with 'Carthorse' Cole determined to show his worth.
posted by Wyn Grant at 6:34 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home