Portsmouth start the month which will decide their Premiership fate in their
best form of the season after a deserved draw at Charlton.
Harry Redknapp's men battled back from a goal down to bag a point at The
Valley and take their spring surge to seven points from a possible nine.
Pompey, who had beaten Southampton and Blackburn in their previous two games,
now have seven matches in which to scramble to safety.
The visitors had in fact kicked off this contest in a dozy mood - and paid the
price when Shaun Bartlett nodded in one of the easiest goals he will ever
score.
Charlton's South African striker headed home from two yards after the
visitors' defence went to sleep in the eighth minute.
It was the South African's fourth goal of his injury-hit season - ironically
his first since scoring in the 2-1 victory at Fratton Park six months ago - and
a timely boost to his plea for a new contract when his deal expires in the
summer.
Portsmouth improved gradually before the break as the Addicks were unable to
convert their pressure into goals.
And Redknapp must be credited with transforming his team with his half-time
speech - as the visiting side which emerged after the interval was bustling with
energy and zest.
Charlton squandered two decent chances on the break - as Bartlett and Claus
Jensen fired wide - and Pompey got their deserved equaliser after 65 minutes.
Eyal Berkovic fed Matthew Taylor, whose cross was missed by Hermann
Hreidarsson and tucked home by Yakubu from five yards.
The goal sparked scenes of celebration among Pompey's 3,000-strong support who
completely outsang their 23,000 Charlton counterparts.
So, while the home fans ponder the possibility of a third successive
late-season slump, the Pompey faithful are dreaming of another season in the
elite.
Curbishley axed the strike-pairing who had started the last five games -
dumping Paolo di Canio and Carlton Cole on the bench and promoting Bartlett and
Jonatan Johansson.
The double change delivered immediate dividends as the home side started
brightly and the Pompey backline were twice forced to scramble away decent
crosses.
The first was when Chris Powell left Petri Pasanen on the seat of his pants
and crossed towards Johansson - and the second when Johansson targeted
Bartlett.
Pompey failed to stem the red tide and, with their backline looking
increasingly shaky, conceded the opener in the eighth minute.
Johansson crossed from the right and the statuesque Linvoy Primus allowed
Jason Euell's flick-on to bounce into the path of Bartlett - who headed home
from two yards.
Charlton's players were crossing at will and Johansson almost made it 2-0 when
he sent over an inswinger from the left which was destined for the far corner of
the net before Shaka Hislop clawed the ball round the post.
Paul Konchesky stung Hislop's palms with a rasping long-range strike after 25
minutes.
Portsmouth had their first effort on goal after 32 minutes.
Teddy Sheringham back-heeled a free-kick to Taylor, whose drive was deflected
off Claus Jensen and span through a forest of legs into the grateful grasp of
Dean Kiely.
After the break, Charlton had a penalty shout turned down by referee Andy
D'Urso when Bartlett and Steve Stone challenged for a loose ball inside the
area.
Bartlett went for an overhead kick and was penalised for high feet as Stone
appeared to handle the ball.
Pompey were enjoying their best spell of the game - although Charlton twice
broke quickly, with Bartlett and Jensen firing just wide.
And Redknapp's men were rewarded for their pressure play with a smart
equaliser in the 65th minute.
Half-time substitute Berkovic fed Taylor down the left and his cross was
casually tucked home by Yakubu after Hreidarsson botched his attempted
clearance.
The visitors pressed for the winner as Yakubu planted a firm header straight
at Kiely and Lomano LuaLua's shot was blocked.
And there was late drama as Charlton substitute di Canio slotted home after
Matt Holland's pass - only for the Italian's 'goal' to be ruled out by a
linesman's flag for offside.
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