Charlton kept their unbeaten run at The Valley alive this season by securing a 0-0 draw against Portsmouth in a Championship fixture that, while lacking goals, offered plenty of drama, especially after the interval. The home side dominated the opening half, creating the clearer opportunities to break the deadlock.
In the 32nd minute, Millenial Alli, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Portsmouth, found himself on the receiving end of a perfect left‑wing cross from Tyreece Campbell and volleyed over from close range. Just moments earlier, Portsmouth keeper Daniel Bielica had used his legs to deflect a powerful strike from Karlan Grant that was heading toward the near post.
Early on, Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack rose to meet a corner delivered by Campbell, but his header failed to find the net. The visitors entered the match on the back of an impressive run of scoring in their previous eleven away league games, yet they did not manage a single shot on target before the break. Charlton’s goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo had to stay alert from the outset, extending a leg in the 15th minute to block a low cut‑back from Terry Devlin after a slick build‑up. Later, Conor Shaughnessy rescued his side when he cleared a ball from his own goal line after Addicks loanee Tyler Bindon headed a deep cross into a dangerous zone.
Alli, who was repeatedly jeered by the travelling supporters, enjoyed his final chance of the half, unleashing a 20‑yard effort that was comfortably saved by Bielica. The second half began with Portsmouth testing the Addicks again; Okonkwo had to stretch his full height to dive low to his left and make a fingertip save from Abu Kamara’s early strike, just 20 seconds after the restart. Portsmouth seemed fresher after a full week of preparation, while Charlton, who had been held to a goalless draw by QPR just three days earlier, started to show signs of fatigue.
Referee Andrew Kitchen dismissed a penalty claim from left‑back Jayden Meghoma, who alleged that Alli had pulled his arm in the box. Mid‑field battles intensified when Oliver Skipp made a timely sliding tackle to dispossess Adrian Segecic on the edge of the area after Bindon lost possession. Segecic’s subsequent weak shot was comfortably dealt with by Okonkwo, and later, Colby Bishop failed to finish a close‑range sliding effort from a cross by Ryan Kavuma‑McQueen in the 81st minute. As the clock wound down, Charlton dug deeper into their bench.
Conor Coventry curled a delivery from a short corner into the edge of the box, while Shaughnessy made a crucial defensive block on a shot from Grant. Home fans appealed for a penalty when Miles Leaburn went down after a clash with Benjamin Arthur, but the referee saw no foul.
After the final whistle, Charlton manager Nathan Jones praised his side, 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 Millenial 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 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 solidity while seeking the cutting edge in attack. The match also featured a reminder that the Championship remains a league where a single moment can change the outcome, and both clubs will look to build on the positives while addressing the missed opportunities as they head into the next round of fixtures.