Last gasp header secures victory for the Addicks
Portsmouth 1 Charlton Athletic 2 [ Saturday 4 October 2003 ]
The first half was probably one of the most one-sided affairs ever witnessed at Fratton Park so far this season, and for Pompey to only capitalise on the situation with one 1 goal was a travesty of luck for the Premiership new boys.
Once Pompey started firing away Charlton were forced well and truly on the back foot. Teddy Sheringham's sublime touches continued to unhinge and unsettle the vistors defence and it was entirely appropriate when he made the 34th minute breakthrough with a glancing header from a Tim Sherwood corner which just about defeated Scott Parker's attempt at a clearance.
Earlier on Sherinham forced a save by keeper Dean Kiely, who just managed to tip over a fierce half-volley from the edge of the area after Patrik Berger (back from a groin injury) skillfully set up the opportunity. Sheringham was only just off the mark on two other occasions when Alexei Smertin and the hard-working Steve Stone provided the spade-work.
Sheringham put together several chances for young strike partner Yakubu Ayegbini, but the unlucky Nigerian was twice wayward with his finishing.
The visitors were let off when the pacy on-loan Russian star Alexei Smertin had to hobble off with a knee injury afer less than half an hour, but it was substitute Sherwood's set piece that instigated the break through for his former Spur's team mate.
Charlton began to go up a gear. Matt Holland was only inches away from connecting with Stuart's lowly placed waist high cross with a diving header at the far post and Parker whistled a 30-yarder just inches over the bar.
Addicks boss Alan Curbishley could wait no longer to bring on the sublime genius of Paolo Di Canio as a substitute for Claus Jensen with 25 minutes still to go. However, it was the man who came alongside the firy Italian defender Jon Fortune who made the big impact.
With just 12 minutes of the game left Graham Stuart produced a long throw which unfortunately gave Fortune the chance to stab home the equaliser from all but 2 yards. He could have quiet easily of wrapped the game up 3 mintues later after Pompey's miserable attempt at an offside trap left him umarked - but with back to goal Parker's chip was placed over the bar.
But then Bartlett popped up out seemingly know where to head in di Canio's corner at the death.
Portsmouth (3-5-2)
Hislop, Schemmel, de Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Zivkovic, Stone, Faye, Smertin (Sherwood 26), Berger (Taylor 85), Ayegbini (Roberts 76),Sheringham.
Subs (not used) Wapenaar, Foxe.
Booked de Zeeuw, Sheringham, Sherwood.
Charlton Athletic (4-4-2)
Kiely, Powell, Fish (Fortune 64), Perry, Young, Stuart, Parker, Holland, Jensen (di Canio 64), Lisbie, Bartlett.
Subs (not used) Royce, Kishishev, Johansson.
Booked Perry, Bartlett.