Charlton 0 Reading 0

Charlton’s two point gain over the Easter period may not have been what was required from the lads but it did continue our unbeaten run.

You can be sure there were cheers going up around the Fulham, Wigan, Sheffield United and West Ham fans on Monday but we still have a great chance of avoiding the drop from the Premiership. That is something just a few months ago we wouldn’t have dreamt of.

It was just five minutes into the match when Karkouri saw his header crash against the underside of the bar and bounce onto the line, we all claimed it had crossed the line but there was no denying it hadn’t.

With 20 minutes gone Luke Young drove into the area but his effort was comfortably saved by Marcus Hahnemann in the Reading goal.

Just three minutes later Scott Carson was forced to save superbly from Seol Ki-Hyeon. The Korean went on a dribbling run that saw him enter the Charlton box but he couldn’t find a way past Carson.

During that period of play Hermann Hreidarsson was clattered and he painfully headed for the tunnel looking like his season might be over. Luckily Ben Thatcher was back from injury and he received a warm welcome from the addicks fans.

On the half hour mark Pardew was forced to make further changes as Marcus Bent limped off to be replaced by Matt Holland which pushed Zheng Zhi further forward in the attack.

On 41 minutes Steve Sidwell saw his header tipped over the bar by Carson and late on James Harper saw his shot drift over the bar as the Royal’s came more and more into the match.

In the 51st minute Zheng went on a surging run that took him into the box, as he lost control the ball fell to Darren Bent but his curling effort went a couple of yards wide of Hahnemann’s post.

Reading then took control and efforts from Nicky Shorey and Sidwell went close to breaking the deadlock but the Charlton goal remained intact.

Ambrose did test Hahnemann in the latter stages but the keeper was well positioned to pat the ball down. Zheng had a great chance in the 90th minute but his free header was straight at Hahnemann.

So we wanted a win but it’s still a point and it could make all the difference yet!


Charlton: Carson, Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Hreidarsson (Thatcher 24), Ambrose, Zheng, Song (Lisbie 69), Thomas, Darren Bent, Marcus Bent (Holland 30).

Subs Not Used: Randolph, Rommedahl.

Booked: Song Billong.

Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Long, Lita.

Subs Not Used: Federici, Gunnarsson, Doyle, Oster, Kitson.

Att: 26,271

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).