West Bromwich Albion 1 Charlton 1
Charlton gained another point on the road as they shared a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Tuesday evening.
After falling behind in first-half injury time to George Campbell’s header, the Addicks fought back to earn a point with 20 minutes left on the clock thanks to Lyndon Dykes’ second goal for the club since arriving last month.
After a cagey first 25 minutes, the first real opening of the evening fell the way of the hosts when a cross from the left byline was attacked by the head of Campbell from close range, but the close attention of Greg Docherty ensured that the skipper would make a vital block, leaving Thomas Kaminski to collect safely.
Moments later, Sonny Carey registered the Addicks’ first effort on goal when he let fly with a low drive from distance, but Max O’Leary was equal to it in the Baggies’ net.
On 32 minutes, Charlie Taylor fired over on the turn for the hosts as the balance of play tipped slightly more in the favour of the home side in the latter stages of the first 45, while Charlton were dealt a blow 10 minutes before the break when Lloyd Jones was forced off with injury, replaced by Collins Sinchenje.
On the stroke of half-time, the home side broke the deadlock from a set-piece. A corner delivery from the right was sent deep and defender Campbell was on hand to nod home from close range at the back post.
It was a disappointing end to a frustrating half and it prompted Nathan Jones to make a change at the break, introducing Tyreece Campbell in place of Miles Leaburn ahead of the second period.
West Brom came close to doubling their advantage seven minutes after the restart when Josh Maja placed a shot wide from a good position after being played into the box and the Addicks were struggling to regain a foothold on proceedings.
A double switch soon followed with Conor Coventry and Jayden Fevrier entering the fray before the hour mark, with the hope of injecting some impetus as Jones’ men searched for a leveller.
Come the 70th minute, Charlton found it. Kayne Ramsay’s perfectly-weighted through-ball split apart the Baggies’ defence, sending Dykes in on goal. The Scotland international took a brilliant first touch to get the ball fully in control before calmly slotting through the legs of O’leary to draw his side level.
With parity restored, it would prove to be a tight affair for the remainder of the evening. Mikey Johnston poked a shot wide for the home side under pressure from Coventry late on, while Alex Mowatt fired wide from range shortly after.
And deep in injury-time, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba’s volley from just outside the box dipped narrowly wide to provide a late scare.
Charlton’s point would remain safe, however, and it may well prove to be an extremely valuable one as the Addicks recorded a second consecutive 1-1 draw on the road, preserving their recent record of just one defeat in their last six outings.
Jones’ men will now return to SE7 as they prepare to host Wrexham at The Valley on Saturday.
West Bromwich Albion: O’Leary, Campbell (Imray 84), Phillips, Taylor, Styles, Molumby, Diakite (Wallace 74), Mowatt, Johnston, Price (Jimoh-Aloba 84), Maja (Heggebo 65).
Subs (not used): Wallis, Bielik, Dike, Gilchrist, Bostock.
Booked: Styles 27 (foul on Clarke), Molumby 49 (foul on Bell)
Goal: Campbell 45+3
Assist: Mowatt 45+3
Charlton: Kaminski, Ramsay, Jones (Sichenje 35), Bell, Clarke, Coady (Coventry 56), (Carey 90+3), Docherty, Chambers (Fevrier 56), Leaburn (Campbell 46), Dykes.
Subs (not used): Mannion, Berry, Kelman, Rankin-Costello.
Booked: Jones 10 (foul on Maja), Clarke 57 (foul on Johnston), Sichenje 66 (foul on Molumby)
Goal: Dykes 70
Assist: Ramsay 70
Referee: Sam Allison
Att: 20,847 (826 from Charlton)
