Charlton kept their unbeaten run at The Valley intact by sharing a 0-0 draw with Portsmouth in a Championship clash that, while lacking goals, offered plenty of drama, especially after the break. The home side dominated the first half, creating the most promising opportunities 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, only to volley over from close range.
Earlier, Portsmouth keeper Daniel Bielica had used his legs to parry a powerful strike from Karlan Grant at his near post, keeping the score level. Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack rose to meet an early Campbell delivery, heading the ball out for a corner.
The visitors, who entered the match on the back of scoring in their previous eleven away league games, failed to register a single shot on target before the interval. Meanwhile, Charlton’s goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo had to stay alert in the 15th minute, extending a leg to block Terry Devlin’s low cut‑back after a slick passing move. Later, Conor Shaughnessy rescued the away side by clearing a ball that Tyler Bindon, on loan from Charlton, had headed deep into a dangerous area.
Alli, who was jeered by the traveling Portsmouth supporters each time he touched the ball, enjoyed a final chance before the break but smashed a 20‑yard effort straight at Bielica. The second half began with Okonkwo having to dive low to his left, using his full height to tip away a shot from Abu Kamara just 20 seconds after the restart.
Portsmouth seemed fresher after a full week’s preparation, while Charlton, who had drawn 0‑0 with QPR three days earlier, began to show signs of fatigue. Referee Andrew Kitchen dismissed a penalty appeal from Portsmouth left‑back Jayden Meghoma, who claimed a pull on his arm by Alli.
Oliver Skipp made a fine recovery tackle, sliding in to dispossess Adrian Segecic on the edge of the box after Bindon lost possession. Segecic then squandered a chance, shooting weakly at Okonkwo from inside the area, and later Colby Bishop failed to finish a close‑range cross from Ryan Kavuma‑McQueen in the 81st minute. As the clock wound down, Charlton dug deep into their bench. Conor Coventry curled a ball in from a short corner, sending it across the edge of the area.
Shaughnessy produced a crucial defensive block on a shot from Grant, while the home crowd appealed loudly for a penalty when Miles Leaburn went down after a challenge with Benjamin Arthur. After the final whistle, Charlton manager Nathan Jones praised his side: "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 boss John Mousinho echoed a mixed sentiment: "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 need for injured players to return and for their squads to build on the defensive solidity shown. The match, while ending without a goal, demonstrated the tactical battle between two ambitious Championship sides, each looking to secure vital points as the season progresses.