Charlton Athletic kept their flawless home record intact this season by securing a 0-0 draw against Portsmouth in a Championship clash that, while lacking in goals, offered plenty of drama, especially after the break. The Addicks dominated the opening half, creating the more dangerous opportunities and looking the more likely side to break the deadlock. In the 32nd minute, Millen Alli, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Portsmouth, found himself on the end of a perfect left‑wing cross from Tyreece Campbell and volleyed from close range, only to see the ball sail over the bar. Just moments before, Portsmouth keeper Daniel Bielica had used his legs to parry a powerful strike from Karlan Grant that was heading towards the near post, keeping the scores level.
Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack also made his presence felt early on, rising to meet a corner generated from another Campbell delivery and heading the ball clear. The visitors, who entered the match on the back of a remarkable run of scoring in eleven consecutive away league games, failed to register a single shot on target before the interval, underscoring Charlton's defensive solidity.
In the first half, Charlton goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was called into action in the 15th minute when he stretched out a leg to block a low cut‑back from Terry Devlin, a move that could have tested the Portsmouth goal. Later, Conor Shaughnessy rescued his side when he cleared a ball that had been headed back into a perilous zone by loanee Tyler Bindon, preventing a potential opening goal.
Alli, who was frequently booed by the travelling Portsmouth fans each time he touched the ball, enjoyed one more chance before the break, unleashing a 20‑yard effort that was comfortably saved by Bielica. The second half began with Portsmouth pressing forward, and Okonkwo again had to rely on his height, diving low to his left to tip away a shot from Abu Kamara just seconds after the restart.
Portsmouth appeared fresher after a full week of preparation, while Charlton, having drawn 0‑0 with QPR three days earlier, started to show signs of fatigue as the match progressed. Referee Andrew Kitchen dismissed a penalty claim from Portsmouth left‑back Jayden Meghoma, who alleged that Alli had pulled his arm in the box.
The decision sparked a brief protest but the game continued. Oliver Skipp of Charlton made a crucial sliding tackle to dispossess Adrian Segecic on the edge of the area after Bindon had lost possession, demonstrating the home side's determination to protect their clean‑sheet record.
Segecic later wasted a chance, shooting weakly at Okonkwo from inside the penalty area, while Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop failed to convert a close‑range cross from Ryan Kavuma‑McQueen in the 81st minute. As the clock wound down, Charlton dug deeper into their bench. Conor Coventry curled a shot from a short corner that drifted over the bar, and Shaughnessy made a vital defensive block from a Karlan Grant effort. The home supporters appealed for a penalty when Miles Leaburn went down after a challenge with Benjamin Arthur, but the referee saw no foul.
After the final whistle, Charlton manager Nathan Jones praised his team, saying, "The performance was really good, especially in the first half. We created some excellent chances, looked a threat and controlled the game.
When you look at the game we had against them here last season, it was the polar opposite. Our midfield two were excellent and our wide ones carried a threat. We had the absolute clear‑cut chance of the game.
If we had scored the first goal, especially in the first half, then we are very difficult to beat here. There probably won't be an easier chance in the Football League today than Millen Alli's chance. He is three yards out. He just needs to guide it on target and he scores.
He managed to put it over. Karlan Grant had a great chance.
It was a really good game, end‑to‑end and two really committed sides. Portsmouth beat us twice last season, so it is a better result than we had last year. Overall the performance level was there and it's a clean sheet. You can see some partnerships building.
We want to get all our injured players back. We had Charlie Kelman back today and hopefully we get Josh Edwards back next week, so that is another one.
We will be in a stronger position after the international break. The five defenders have had to go from the Tottenham game until now, really putting in proper shifts.
To keep three clean sheets shows that." Portsmouth manager John Mousinho reflected on his side's effort: "You come away from home and draw 0‑0, then a clean sheet is the really positive aspect of the game. We created some really good chances in the second half but just didn't put the ball in the net.
Mixed emotions, because we could have won it. We got into some good spots but didn't really test the goalkeeper in the first half. With Charlton playing Wednesday night we thought we'd have more joy as the game opened up, which we did.
There are some really good signs, but we need to keep improving. We put the chances in the back of the net last week. We didn't do it this week. The top end of the pitch, we have got quality and goals there, which I think will come." Both managers highlighted the importance of maintaining defensive discipline while seeking the breakthrough that could turn a stalemate into a victory.
The match also underscored the competitive nature of the Championship, where even a goalless draw can be seen as a hard‑won point when both sides demonstrate resilience and tactical awareness. The result leaves Charlton unbeaten at home, while Portsmouth continue their quest for away goals, hoping to convert the chances they created into tangible rewards in upcoming fixtures.