John Barnes stepped from the shadows like a man determined to light up this
dull affair at The Valley.
Within minutes of his arrival from the substitutes' bench, his new club
Charlton were a goal in front and playing against 10 men following the dismissal
of Jamie Carragher.
Barnes wasn't directly involved in either incident but it was almost as though
his new team-mates had waited for him before bursting into action. Until his
67th minute entrance the prospect of failing floodlights had seemed attractive.
In fact rather than a link to a Far Eastern betting ring it could have been a
mercy mission by the Red Cross.
Nevertheless, the lights stayed on, Barnes replaced Neil Redfearn and in a
flash Charlton looked like a team prepared to fight for their Premiership
survival.
The South London club suddenly found spirit and desire to fight for their
lives. They were given a helping hand as Carragher collected a red card for
aiming an arm at Martin Pringle. The decision angered the visitors but inspired
the Addicks who have now collected six priceless points in a week.
It was Keith Jones who smashed home the goal to increase Liverpool's feeling
of injustice. He pounced after the visitors' back three had failed to clear a
right-wing cross from John Robinson.
The home side could have gone on to kill off the game after going ahead 20
minutes from time. Barnes looked assured, given plenty of time and space by his
former team-mates. He trotted on wearing an unfamiliar number 37 to a tremendous
welcome from both sets of supporters but he had nothing to do with the incident
seconds later which reduced his former club Liverpool to 10 men.
But he issued a reminder of his class when he threaded a ball through for
Pringle. The big Swede hadn't enjoyed the best of afternoons in front of goal,
though, and was foiled by David James just as he had been earlier in the half
when he headed tamely at the keeper from close range.
Neither Liverpool nor Charlton had been capable of illuminating a dull first
half with any dazzle. The Premiership fixture had gone ahead as planned after a
frantic few days at The Valley since four men were arrested in connection with
sabotage to the floodlight system.
And Charlton officials will be issuing a dossier to all other Premiership
clubs about their experiences of the last few days. The Addicks had to turn
their mind quickly back to their survival fight in the hope of building on a
much-needed win against Wimbledon on Monday night.
They started with plenty of spirit but couldn't break through in a scrappy
first half. Swedish striker Pringle came closest for the home team. He headed
over from close-range after Liverpool had failed to clear a right-wing corner.
Otherwise Charlton were restricted to a couple of long-range efforts. Neil
Redfearn disappointed when he was released down an inside left channel by
Pringle. The experienced midfielder dragged his shot badly across the face of
goal.
At the other end, however, Charlton were grateful for Simon Royce's
athleticism. The goalkeeper flew to his right in the 36th minute to turn a Steve
McManaman volley round the post. The Real Madrid-bound England midfielder had
been anonymous during the opening exchanges but he struck his shot sweetly after
a Jamie Redknapp free-kick had rebounded perfectly into his path.
Andy Hunt went close for Charlton just after the break and Robbie Fowler
smashed over after McManaman created a chance with good work down the Liverpool
left.
Charlton went in front after Carragher's dismissal and could have had more
before the final whistle. Liverpool sub Rigobert Song produced a saving tackle
to deny Pringle and Mark Kinsella had a shot saved by James at the near post.
Teams:
Charlton: Royce, Mills, Brown, Tiler, Powell, Robinson, Jones,
Kinsella, Redfearn, Hunt, Pringle (Bright 83).
Subs Not Used: Ilic, Newton, Barness, Barnes.
Booked: Mills.
Goals: Jones 70.
Liverpool: James, Heggem, Matteo, Carragher, Staunton, Redknapp,
Ince, Bjornebye (Song 74), McManaman, Fowler, Owen (Riedle 81).
Subs Not Used: Thompson, Friedel, Gerrard.
Sent Off: Carragher (68).
Booked: Staunton, Ince, Bjornebye.
Att: 20,043
Ref: M Reed (Birmingham).
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