Charlton settle for home draw

Charlton 0 Newcastle 0

Charlton’s sloppy finishing ensured they failed to leapfrog Newcastle in the Barclaycard Premiership after creating a hatful of chances against Sir Bobby Robson’s side at The Valley this afternoon.

Striker Jason Euell was the main culprit – he squandered three magnificent opportunities in the first half, although the visitors were saved by the post on one occasion with goalkeeper Shay Given well beaten.

Before today the 26-year-old marksman had scored just three goals from 15 appearances and his lack of form was on full display against the Magpies, who will be wondering how they managed to leave London with a point following a disappointing display.

But Euell was not the only guilty party – Matt Holland, Graham Stuart and Paolo di Canio could all have given Charlton their first win in five matches as the Addicks were in full control for large periods of the match.

Newcastle, without the suspended Titus Bramble and injured Jonathan Woodgate, saw makeshift centre-back pairing Andy O’Brien and Aaron Hughes fail to shackle the home side’s attacking ambition.

The Magpies were also found wanting up front where even the Premiership’s leading scorer Alan Shearer made little impression against a Charlton defence which was well marshalled by Chris Perry and Jonathan Fortune.

It all began so differently, however, as Newcastle made a superb start, working their way into Charlton’s box with ease, Shola Ameobi threatening briefly before Jermaine Jenas forced a fine save from goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

Euell went close at the other end moments later after using a neat trick to unlock the visitors’ defence, but Given palmed the subsequent shot wide.

Charlton’s flurry did not last long, however, as Newcastle’s slick passing meant they continued to dominate with Olivier Bernard firing a magnificent cross into the middle which none of his team-mates could meet.

Euell was linking-up nicely with di Canio who played his strike partner through in the 19th minute with a deft flick-on but O’Brien just managed to toe the ball to Given who cleared the danger.

The Addicks marksman should have done better moments later after Scott Parker threaded through a superb pass which put Euell one-on-one with Given, but he blazed his shot high over the crossbar from eight yards out.

He was desperately unlucky in the 30th minute, though, pouncing on a mix-up in Newcastle’s defence only to see his shot hit the post with Given beaten, although the Magpies keeper redeemed himself by saving Euell’s follow-up.

Given was tested by Euell from the edge of the area before di Canio and Graham Stuart both went close as Charlton cranked up the pressure on Newcastle who had failed to build on their early promise.

Charlton began the second half in the same manner they had finished the first, carving open Newcastle’s rearguard in the 47th minute with Bernard scrambling away a powerful shot from Stuart.

Skipper Matt Holland then headed over as the Addicks continued to press, with Holland and Scott Parker dominating the midfield where Newcastle often found themselves shoved off the ball.

Di Canio – who was proving a real menace around the edge of the area – nearly put Holland through in the 60th minute but there was just too much weight on his pass for the former Ipswich midfielder to reach.

The Italian forward then had a go himself but Given was equal to the task while Euell looked to be away moments later only for O’Brien to secure the ball with a despairing lunge.

Di Canio was hauled off in the 83rd minute by Curbishley who gave on-loan Chelsea striker Carlton Cole a chance but the youngster could make little impact as Newcastle returned north with an unlikely point.