Foe rescues City with late goals

Charlton 2 Manchester City 2

Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe continued his remarkable scoring spree today to give Manchester City a point at The Valley.

Foe, who got his first for the club on Monday in the victory over Sunderland, obviously liked the taste.

He scored twice after Charlton appeared to be heading for their fifth successive victory thanks to goals from Jason Euell – from the penalty spot - and sub Claus Jensen.

Foe, on-loan from Lyon, was at the heart of a storming comeback that cheered the travelling fans.

Charlton defender Luke Young returned to the starting line-up. He replaced Paul Konchesky, who had to settle for a place on bench.

City manager Keegan named the side that defeated Sunderland on Monday with goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel recovering from a slight shoulder injury.

Euell tried to put Kevin Lisbie away for Charlton after two minutes but visiting skipper Steve Howey made a timely interception.

Then Shaun Bartlett tried his luck from 25 yards, only to see his effort fly well wide of the target.

City hit back and Nicolas Anelka was allowed room to break forward. He rattled in a shot that found the arms of goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

Euell picked up the first yellow card of the game for a challenge on Eyal Berkovic.

The Israeli international was left needing treatment after having his ankles clipped by the Charlton striker.

Foe almost put City ahead in the 24th minute after a sloppy back pass from Richard Rufus.

Kiely was forced into a hurried clearance and the ball rebounded off Foe six yards out.

But it just ran away from the on-loan midfielder, who could only steer a shot into the side-netting.

It was a moment of danger for Charlton, who were looking slightly edgy at the back with Anelka and Shaun Goater chasing every loose ball.

Charlton surged forward in the 33rd minute and Gary Rowett saw his header turned away in front of the post by Howey.

City had another scare two minutes later when Richard Dunne hacked away Kevin Lisbie’s effort.

The home side kept up the pressure and Shaun Bartlett fired over the top from a good position following a cross from Radostin Kishishev.

City, however, broke quickly in the 42nd minute with Berkovic the instigator.

He released Anelka just inside the area and his low shot was saved at the second attempt by Kiely.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley changed things around at the break, bringing on Jensen for Kishishev.

City made a bright start to the half and Horlock whipped in a shot from the edge of the area that tested Kiely.

Charlton, however, opened the scoring in the 50th minute from the penalty spot.

Lisbie got clear of Horlock only to be tripped by the Northern Ireland midfielder.

Referee David Pugh had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and Euell stepped up.

He sent Schmeichel the wrong way from the spot to put Charlton in line for their fifth successive victory.

Anelka was furious at a challenge by Euell in the 58th minute and retaliated by putting put his hands on his opponent’s face.

Euell was also incensed and the situation threatened to spill over before City wasted the free-kick.

Charlton added a second in the 62nd minute when Lisbie cleverly laid the ball off to Jensen.

The Dane got a fine first touch and steered a low drive into the corner beyond Schmeichel.

It was no coincidence that Jensen’s arrival had ignited Charlton as they had an extra option going forward.

Lisbie then cut inside only see Schmeichel block his effort and Jensen fired the rebound over the top.

Ali Benarbia replaced Howey in the 72nd minute – and a minute later he helped City pull a goal back.

The little Algerian floated in a cross from the left and a header from Charlton defender Gary Rowett only found Foe.

He clipped the ball back and although Kiely got a hand to his effort, he could not prevent it going in the net.

City then had furious appeals for a penalty turned down in the 83rd minute after Anelka was bowled over by Rufus.

Foe pulled City level and gave them a share of the spoils three minutes before the end when he deflected Berkovic’s shot beyond Kiely.