Charlton beat Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park extending their winning streak to five. Goals from Jonny Williams and Chuks Aneke secured a fifth successive win, and an impressive victory over promotion rivals Portsmouth.
Charlton headed into this game pushing to extend their winning streak to five in a row and get into a playoff spot. Portsmouth meanwhile had a chance to close in on the top two for an automatic promotion spot, but Charlton proved to be too much and left Fratton Park with three points.
The hosts started quick and in the fifth minute Marcus Harness set up Irish international Ronan Curtis in the middle of the box, however his shot sailed over the bar from just six yards out.
Domination paid off
But that was the only clear sight of goal the hosts had, and Charlton then started to dominate in possession though weren’t able to break down the Pompey defence. In the 28th minute the Addicks took the lead as 18-year-old Ian Maatsen delivered a pinpoint cross for Jonny Williams to get his first goal of the season.
Five minutes into the second half Portsmouth began on the attack as Andy Cannon fired a shot, but it was straight down the throat of Charlton ‘keeper Ben Amos.
Pompey continued to search for the equalizer with Curtis’s free kick hitting a deflection and just going wide in the 61st minute.
Pompey looked to force an equalizer, Ellis Harrison had a crack which took a wicked deflection off John Marquis and the Addicks countered with Chuks Aneke shooting straight at the keeper in a one on one. However, Aneke redeemed himself two minutes later as Paul Smyth crossed the ball to Aneke and he rose the highest to all but seal the game for Charlton.
Full of praise
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer was pleased with the victory and told the official site, “I think it was a good, gritty, professional away performance once again. To keep a clean sheet with people that are out at the moment, I’m really pleased with that. I’d say that’s probably our best three points that we’ve got this season, because there won’t be many teams that come here and win two nil”.
Next up
Charlton are now just three points off the top two with a game in hand. Portsmouth however drop down to seventh place with 17 points and face third place Lincoln City in a couple days. Meanwhile Charlton face Fleetwood, looking to keep this momentum and put the pressure on the top two.
