The party was arranged, the guests arrived but the hosts failed to turn up as
Shaun Bartlett turned the celebrations into a wake at Maine Road this
afternoon.
Wasn't it typical of City? Just seven days after Manchester United had been
humiliated, they allowed Charlton to wander off with maximum points from a dire
contest to wreck home hopes of a fourth successive Premiership win for the first
time in a decade.
Eyal Berkovic huffed, Nicolas Anelka puffed, but it was the City house which
was blown down by Bartlett as he tapped home Jonatan Johansson's cross 12
minutes from time to grab a third away win and three vital points for visitors
who look destined to become embroiled in a lengthy battle against the drop.
After last weekend's heroics, the home fans swarmed to the ground with gleeful
expressions on their faces, memories of their neighbours' stunning demise still
fresh in the mind.
Sadly, the atmosphere inside the ground swiftly turned as grey as the dank
afternoon.
For some reason, City could not get the lethargy out of their legs and with
Charlton working hard to deny them room, it was almost impossible to find
space.
Even given his new emphasis on solidity, rarely can any side managed by Kevin
Keegan have gone an entire half without managing a single shot on target.
The nearest they came was a long-range Danny Tiatto drive which flew
harmlessly over the crossbar, although it could be convincingly argued they
should have fashioned a clear chance when Shaun Wright-Phillips robbed Scott
Parker on the edge of the City area, then sent Anelka flying forward.
The French striker only had Mark Fish to beat as he sprinted deep into the
Charlton half. Berkovic was in support but Anelka's attempt to find the little
Israeli was woeful and Fish strolled away with the ball.
Wright-Phillips had been one of the chief victims of Keegan's mid-season
change in attitude, his attacking skills sacrificed on the altar of defence.
However, with a pre-match dose of flu costing Gerard Wiekens his place,
Wright-Phillips was handed a reprieve, slotting in a right wing-back, with Sun
Jihai moving across to join a three-man rearguard.
Unfortunately, the alteration highlighted Wright-Phillips' defensive
inadequacies and Charlton should have gained some reward with both Gary Rowett
and Bartlett failing to convert free headers barely eight yards from goal.
Peter Schmeichel was called upon to save low at his near post from Jonatan
Johansson.
As befitting a side dangling perilously close to the drop zone, Charlton were
prepared to scrap for their lives and easily led the caution count at half-time,
with Parker, Luke Young and Richard Rufus all booked.
City emerged with greater purpose - although in truth they could have hardly
started with any less - but lost Marc-Vivien Foe almost immediately, the
Cameroon international limping off with what looked like an ankle knock.
His replacement, Kevin Horlock, showed welcome attacking intent, dipping a
35-yard drive onto the roof of Dean Kiely's net, although it would be the hour
mark before the Charlton keeper had a save to make, diving low to stop an angled
Anelka drive.
Before that, Johansson's speculative strike had bobbled wide, although Peter
Schmeichel did appear to have it covered.
Keegan tried to inject a bit more life into his team by introducing Darren
Huckerby and Ali Benarbia in quick succession but still City laboured.
Anelka and Wright-Phillips were both off target with half-hearted efforts
before the home side were caught out by the ultimate sucker punch.
Parker lobbed a pass to the right, where Johansson was waiting in acres of
space.
The Finn had time to pick out his man as City struggled to plug the gaps.
Even then, they nearly escaped, with Euell contriving to let Johansson's cross
roll under his feet before Bartlett finished it off.
Johansson might have had another before the end but blasted a close-range shot
over.
City piled forward at the end but Benarbia curled a free-kick over and was
then fortunate to escape a booking for blatantly diving in desperation.
It was all the home side could muster in response and it was not enough to
save them from jeers of derision at the end.
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