Charlton 1 (Gudmundsson 16) Fulham 1 (McCormack 8).
Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.
The point earned by each of these sides from this lively derby had wider significance on sober reflection. Not only did this result rubberstamp Charlton’s place in the Championship next season but it moved Fulham eight points clear of the choppy relegation waters beneath them. Millwall and Rotherham look likely to dispute the last place in the lifeboat, with Wigan Athletic not yet drowning but waving feebly in struggling to stay afloat.
Having contributed their usual three points to Millwall’s fighting fund on Good Friday, Charlton pulled themselves together sufficiently to keep Fulham still hanging on for safety. A predictable draw was accepted as fair by all bar Fulham boss Kit Symons, who might have had a point in complaining about Charlton’s “offside” equaliser but was possibly massaging the truth a little in claiming that the officials had apologised for their “mistake.” Any witnesses, Kit? It just seems a bit unlikely.
Symons’ side, with so much more to play for than their hosts, were still enjoying their early lead when Tony Watt’s clever dummy over Igor Vetokele’s pass made space for aggressive left back Morgan Fox to cross dangerously from the left touchline. From a suspiciously offside position near the penalty spot, Federic Bulot swung and missed, leaving later arrival Johann Berg Gudmundsson to filch his 10th goal of the season at the far post. Had Bulot made contact, no doubt the goal would have been disallowed but he didn’t and under the wider interpretation of the offside law, was considered inactive. Try telling that to goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who was clearly distracted by Bulot’s presence in his eyeline.Those are the breaks, of course, and Symons might be seeking explanations from an arms-aloft defence which was conspicuously absent as both Bulot and Gudmundsson confronted Bettinelli.
Though it seemed unlikely at the time, the talented Icelandic’s effort ended the scoring, with the few chances created but spurned by both sides under an equal opportunities system.
Off to a positive start, the Cottagers adopted Route One as the best way forward in grabbing an 8th minute lead. Centre back Michael Turner, once of this parish, launched a lusty clearance into Charlton’s penalty area, which lured Stephen Henderson into rashly leaving his line. Beating the stranded keeper to his punch, Matt Smith backheaded cleverly for Ross McCormack to loop a precise header into the far corner of a vacated net.
Sent through by Danny Guthrie shortly afterwards, McCormack’s angled shot was splendidly blocked by Tal Ben Haim before Gudmundsson missed a chance to double his tally in circumstances almost identical to his opener.
Bewildering footwork by Watt inside their 18-yard line panicked Fulham’s defence, with Vetkele picking up the pieces and squaring unselfishly for Gudmundsson to tap in at the far post. This time, the prolific midfielder missed the target with a right foot which suffers in comparison with his wand attached to his other leg. He hit the net but sadly on its wrong side.
Scott Parker, another bygone graduate from Charlton’s Sparrows Lane hothouse, kept the West Londoners ticking with his usual repertoire of cultured passing. Dutifully booed for every touch, the still youthful veteran shook off the frankly embarrassing abuse until, in the last minute, after being chopped down by Fox near the right corner flag, he chose to react. A lecture about swearing in front of kids was delivered to some local hero, who was running off at the mouth. Where’s the anonymity of a crowd when you need it most?
There was still some life left in the action, meanwhile, and the best chance of nicking all three points fell to the towering Smith, who snatched at a glorious close range opening but blasted it over the bar. And then, in added time, a needless foul on substitute Alex Kacaniklic gave McCormack a last gasp free kick, which he sent spiralling over the bar. So a draw it was despite Symons’ plaintive cri de coeur about the offside law. You feel for him but he really must keep up. It was amended years ago and has created confusion ever since.
Charlton: Henderson, Gomez, Johnson, Ben Haim, Fox, Gudmundsson, Diarra, Cousins, Bulot (Eagles 69), Vetokele (Church 79), Watt. Not used: Dmitrovic, Bikey, Wiggins, Lennon. Lepoint. Booked: Ben Haim.
Fulham: Bettinelli, Hoogland, Turner, Burn, Husband, Guthrie (Kacaniklic 67), Parker, Tunnicliffe, Kavanagh (Ruiz 67), Smith, McCormack. Not used: Kiraly, Stafylidis, Woodrow, Rodallega, Donnelly. Booked: Parker, Burn.
Referee: A. Madley. Att: 16,521 (1620 visiting).