It is Andy Reid who will have as big a bearing as the new man in charge on whether Charlton fans are still full of hope come the end of the season. The Dubliner scored his first goal for the club yesterday to cap a masterful display in the second half. Reid, signed for £3m from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, is very much an old-style player who relies on his accurate passing and ability to beat an opponent to impose himself on the game — during which he normally has to take some snide remarks about his weight.
“Andy is a little bit unfortunate because his body shape makes him look a bit worse than he is,” Reed said. “He’s influential on the pitch and he’s the type of player who excites the fans. The club’s been asking for a player like that for a while now. After the Lee Bowyers, John Robinsons, Scott Parkers and Mark Kinsellas he could become another Charlton legend.”
Reid’s performance was the main talking point after a first half that promised nothing but an afternoon of mediocrity. The biggest cheer was reserved for the ballboy who headed the ball back into play and prompted a chant of “Sign him up” from the home supporters.
Everton, who were forced into a late switch up front because of a hamstring injury to striker Andy Johnson, had the better of the exchanges before going ahead on 52 minutes. Mikel Arteta’s inswinging free kick from the left was headed on by Leon Osman and then turned into his own net by Hermann Hreidarsson.
That seemed to spark Charlton into life and the game changed when Marcus Bent was brought on to accompany Darren Bent up front, with midfielder Darren Ambrose being sacrificed.
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It would be nice to credit Reed’s tactical nous for the equaliser, but in reality it was down to an elementary defensive error from Nuno Valente. The Portuguese dawdled on the ball long enough to allow Marcus Bent to steal it coming in on his blind side. The ball fell nicely into the path of Reid and his first-time shot from a little more than 20 yards flew in low to the left of a motionless Tim Howard.
Reid then had a similar opportunity to score the winner, but Howard this time parried the ball away. Dennis Rommedahl later miscued wildly with a couple of efforts after putting in good work.
Everton manager David Moyes said: “We gave it away. We had the game won and had played well, especially in the first half. Our performance warranted three points, but we have to stop giving it away with a crazy moment. ”
Star Man: Andy Reid (Charlton)
Player Ratings: Charlton Athletic: Carson 6, Young 6, El Karkouri 6, Hreidarsson 6, Traore 6, Rommedahl 7, Holland 6, Faye 6, Ambrose 6 (M Bent 67min, 6), Reid 8, D Bent 6 Everton: Howard 5, Neville 6, Yobo 6, Lescott 7, Nuno Valente 5, Davies 5, Osman 6, Carsley 6, Arteta 7, Beattie 6 (Vaughan 78min, 5), McFadden (Anichebe 78min, 5)
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Scorers: Charlton: Reid 68 Everton: Hreidarsson og 52
Referee: A Wiley Attendance: 26,435