Match Report
Charlton Athletic (0) 0-0 (0) Fulham
Championship Match Day 29 19/20 at The Valley
Wednesday 22nd January 2020, KO: 19:45
Referee:
Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)
|
| Match Stats |
Charlton |
Fulham |
| Goals |
(0) 0 |
0 (0) |
|
| Scorers |
|
|
| , |
| Goal attempts |
4 |
11 |
| On target |
1 |
4 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
25% |
36% |
| Possession |
32% |
68% |
| Passes |
268 |
588 |
| Passes Success |
66% |
83% |
| Crosses |
17 |
18 |
| Crosses Success |
18% |
11% |
| Corners |
6 |
6 |
| Tackles |
13 |
11 |
| Tackles Success |
69% |
82% |
| Saves |
4 |
1 |
| Fouls |
7 |
13 |
| Offsides |
2 |
2 |
| Yellows |
1 |
1 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
Fulham were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Charlton as they missed the opportunity to pile pressure on the Championship leaders on Wednesday night.
In a game of limited opportunities at The Valley, Fulham clearly missed the injured pair of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Anthony Knockaert, rarely testing Charlton's goalkeeper Dillon Phillips.
For Charlton it was a rare clean sheet and a point to celebrate the new contract of boss Lee Bowyer, as he had signed a three-year deal earlier in the day.
Fulham dominated possession in the first half but opportunities were at a premium.
Most were half-chances that fell to Bobby Reid, but on three occasions Phillips made a relatively straight-forward save.
There were six changes for Charlton in all, while key striker Lyle Taylor returned to the bench. Anthony Knockaert missed out for Fulham, with Harry Arter starting in his place.
Chances were few and far between in the second half, too.
Alfie Doughty forced Marek Rodak into a decent save on the hour, and shortly afterwards Joe Bryan had a pop for Fulham, but again it was comfortable for Phillips.
Fulham boss Scott Parker had limited options on the bench, and even put on youngster Jay Stansfield late on for his league debut, but there would be no way through for his side.
They did stay third, however, as Nottingham Forest also drew with Reading on Wednesday night.
Fulham had only failed to score in one of their previous Championship games before Wednesday night, but they were held at arm's length for the majority of the night at The Valley.
Charlton's defence was exceptional and no one showed more commitment at the back than Lockyer - who tackled, headed, blocked and cleared everything that came his way.
The draw leaves Fulham third in the Championship - three points behind second-placed Leeds having played a game more - though they remain above Nottingham Forest, who drew with Reading.
Meanwhile the Addicks stay 19th, six points clear of the drop, having won just one of their past 17 league games.
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer told BBC Radio London:
"It was a decent point against a very good Fulham side.
"From the start minute to the last my players were excellent - no switching off, young lads tracking and we were excellent defensively.
"We had to hit them on the break at times but, come on, we're playing against a Premier League side there and I thought we deserved a point."
Fulham boss Scott Parker told BBC Radio London:
"It was always going to be down to that one big chance that you needed to take, and then it's a 1-0 win, dust yourselves down and get out.
"We probably had two big chances that we didn't take, and from there it's probably fair to say if you can't win it, you don't lose it.
"Overall I'm a little disappointed but I think when all is said and done this will be a decent point on the board."
What's next?
Fulham face a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium to face FA Cup holders Manchester City this coming Sunday.
Charlton have a 10-day break now before they host Barnsley in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, February 1 at 3pm.
Charlton Athletic: Phillips, Matthews, Lockyer, Pearce, Purrington, Pratley, Cullen, Doughty, Oztumer (Green 82), Morgan (Williams 63), Hemed (Taylor 70)
Unused substitutes: Maynard-Brewer, Oshilaja, Sarr, Dempsey
Booked: Cullen (86,f),
Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan, Arter (Christie 72), McDonald, Cairney (Johansen 77), Cavaleiro, De Cordova-Reid, Onomah (Stansfield 88)
Unused substitutes: Bettinelli, Kongolo, S Sessegnon, De La Torre
Booked: McDonald(90+4,f),
Referee:
Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)
Attendance: 16,424