Peterborough United aptly named The Posh, arrived at the Royal Borough of Greenwich boasting of one of the three remaining 100% records in the English Football League, alongside Leeds United and fellow League One rivals Portsmouth.
Peterborough travelled to the Valley unbeaten in the last four games against Charlton, winning 3 and drawing this fixture 2-2 last season. Steve Evans named an unchanged side for the 4th consecutive match this season, seeing no reason to change a team that had won all 3 of their prior games.
Charlton came into the game in less of a fine form, with 4 points from 9 and made one change from the side that drew 1-1 against Accrington Stanley with young Albie Morgan making his first league start for the club after impressing from the bench against Shrewsbury. The youngster became the first player born in the new millennia to start a league game for the Addicks.
First Half Had First Yellow Card For Lee Bowyer As A Manager
The first half was not one that would live long in the memory of either set of supporters. The highlight came off the pitch, where caretaker manager Lee Bowyer, frustrated at the referee’s numerous decisions to penalise Lyle Taylor for using his strength, received a yellow card, a new addition to the football league this season. This was the first yellow card of his managerial career but certainly not the first if you consider the fiery midfielder’s overall footballing career. The best chance of the half fell to defender Ryan Tafazolli as his header hit the bar before bouncing off the Charlton keeper Dillon Phillips’ back and luckily for the hosts out for another corner. The Addicks offered little attacking threat in the first half with a deflected Lyle Taylor shot from the edge of the box not threatening Chapman in the Peterborough net.
Second Half Had Much Greater Entertainment
The second half provided greater entertainment with the visitors breaking through 1 on 1 with the keeper, only to see Dillon Phillips make a great save down low from the impressive Ivorian youngster Siriki Dembele. The 21 year old was fresh from a man of the match display at the weekend and looked dangerous every time he was on the ball. The winger seems like a great buy from League Two Grimsby Town and may help push Posh towards their goal of promotion this season if he can continue his impressive early season form.
The Addicks started the second half off the pace, and Bowyer introduced Nicky Ajose from the bench to shake things up. The striker changed the flow of the game and Charlton had the best of the latter stages of the match with Grant and Taylor going close before Naismith nearly put the ball in his own net in a bid to stop a tap-in for Ajose.
Having already angered the Valley faithful with his decisions throughout the game with some controversial decisions, referee, James Linington, ensured he wouldn’t be bought a pint in SE7 anytime soon by awarding a highly controversial 88th-minute penalty to Peterborough. Substitute Ivan Toney was adjudged to have been brought down by Lewis Page, with replays showing that both had gone for a diving header in the box. Nonetheless, Cummings stepped up and coolly slotted the ball home, sending Phillips the wrong way in the process, much to the delight of the travelling supporters.
A few minutes after the final whistle blew, Lee Bowyer marched straight across the pitch to tell the referee what he thought of the display. He later said in his post-match interview that Evans had bullied the ref into the decision and “The referee gave them absolutely everything all night”.
A good night for Peterborough who continue their 100% record, now only one of two clubs to be able to claim such. An unfortunate night for Charlton who would feel they should have gotten at least a point out of the affair. Charlton go again on Saturday against Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town. The Addicks would need to work on their creativity as the midfield lacked in this area, with little service to Taylor or Grant for large periods of the game.
Charlton Player Ratings
Dillon Phillips – 7
Patrick Bauer – 6.5
Krystian Bielik – 6.5
Naby Sarr – 7
Chris Solly – 5.5
Lewis Page – 6
Darren Pratley – 5.5
Albie Morgan – 6
Joe Aribo – 6
Lyle Taylor – 6
Karlan Grant – 6.5
Nicky Ajose (66) – 7
Atmosphere Review: 8/10
Official attendance 9762. The Valley was rocking tonight with both sets of fans adding to an excellent atmosphere. Peterborough travelled in good numbers for a Tuesday night, and despite 2/3 of the stadium being empty, the covered end choir were in beautiful voice.
