Blackburn Rovers 2 Charlton 2
Charlton Athletic secured a valuable point on the road against Blackburn Rovers, though having gone two goals up inside the opening 34 minutes, the Addicks may feel they could have taken more from their trip to Ewood Park.
Charlie Kelman continued his impressive recent form with two first-half goals, but a brace from Moussa Baradji ensured Rovers fought back to claim a share of the spoils.
Unchanged for a third consecutive fixture, Charlton registered the first shot on target when Tyreece Campbell cut inside from the left and fired a low effort from distance that was comfortably gathered by Blackburn goalkeeper Aynsley Pears. Reece Burke was then on hand to deny Todd Cantwell with a timely block on a Blackburn counter-attack.
The Addicks took the lead in the 28th minute following a swift and incisive break. Campbell exchanged a neat one-two with Joe Rankin-Costello before finding Luke Berry, who released James Bree down the right. Bree’s perfectly weighted cross was met by the head of Miles Leaburn, whose powerful effort crashed against the crossbar and fell kindly for Kelman to smartly convert from close range.
Charlton doubled their advantage six minutes later, Kelman calmly converting from the penalty spot, sending Pears the wrong way, after Lloyd Jones had been fouled inside the area. The Addicks striker paid tribute to Clive Mendonca, celebrating both his goals in the style of the Charlton icon.
Blackburn responded quickly, pulling a goal back three minutes later when Cantwell’s cross from the right was headed home by Baradji arriving unmarked at the back post. Soon after, Burke was forced off through injury and replaced by Macaulay Gillesphey.
The hosts made two changes at the interval, underlining Charlton’s first-half dominance, but it was the visitors who threatened first after the restart. Bree delivered a dangerous low cross towards the back post, which was cleared for a corner with Campbell poised to pounce.
At the other end, Charlton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski produced a fine save to parry Tom Atcheson’s long-range volley before comfortably claiming Lewis Miller’s header. Pears then gathered Greg Docherty’s half-volley as chances became more evenly shared.
Blackburn drew level with Charlton temporarily reduced to 10 men. Leaburn, having worked tirelessly throughout, was forced off with cramp, and before a substitution could be made, Miller pulled the ball back from the byline for Baradji to finish calmly from inside the penalty area.
Neither side was able to find a winner in the closing stages, leaving Charlton with a point and six days to prepare for a mouth-watering Emirates FA Cup third-round tie at The Valley against Premier League opposition Chelsea.
The Addicks' next Sky Bet Championship game is at The Valley is when Sheffield United visit on Saturday, January 17th. Click here to get your tickets now.
Blackburn Rovers: Pears, Pickering (De Neve 46), Gardner-Hickman (Henricksson 75), Tronstad, Cantwell (c), Miller, McLouglin, Ohashi, Baradji (Montgomery 82), Atcheson, Pratt (O’Riordan 46)
Subs (not used): Toth, Ribeiro, Tyjon, Doherty, Dlamini
Goals: Baradji 37, 77
Assists: Cantwell 37, Miller 77
Booked: O’Riordan 48 (foul on Rankin-Costello)
Charlton: Kaminski; Burke (Gillesphey 42), Jones (c), Bell; Bree, Coventry (Knibbs 78), Rankin-Costello (Docherty 59), Berry (Carey 59), Campbell; Leaburn (Olaofe 78), Kelman
Subs: Mannion, Gough, Apter, Fullah
Goals: Kelman 28, 34 (pen)
Assist: Jones 34
Booked: Gillesphey 50 (foul on Cantwell), Coventry 61 (foul on Baradji), Jones 87 (foul on Ohashi), Bree 90+5 (timewasting)
Referee: David Webb
Attendance: 11,367 (538 from Charlton)
