Cardiff City vs Charlton Athletic. Sky Bet Championship.
Cardiff City Stadium.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at the Cardiff City Stadium
Tuesday 30 June 2020 22:02, UK
Cardiff and Charlton saw their 100 per cent records since football returned come to an end as the two Sky Bet Championship sides shared a goalless draw in the Welsh capital.
Both teams had won their first two games since the league resumed, but a point suited relegation-threatened Charlton more than it did Cardiff, who have an eye on the play-offs.
Neil Harris' Bluebirds stayed in sixth position with a draw and although the two teams went into the game at opposite ends of the table, Charlton deserved a share of the spoils.
Back-to-back 1-0 wins did not stop Charlton manager Lee Bowyer from making a total of seven changes as he looked to freshen up his side. Cardiff started Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Robert Glatzel after both scored as substitutes in the victory at Preston.
Cardiff full-back Dion Sanderson fired wide with the game's first chance while Charlton's Andre Green headed over at the other end. Josh Cullen also tried his luck for the visitors.
Green was causing Cardiff plenty of concern as he forced the home defence into emergency action in an opening half hour which was not bad despite the lack of goals.
Glatzel and Sam Field then collided nastily as they competed in the air and there was a long delay as both players were treated for cut heads.
Field was replaced by Darren Pratley for Charlton but Glatzel continued, albeit with heavy blue strapping. He eventually hobbled off to make way for Callum Paterson just before the break.
Charlton continued their attacking threat at the start of the second half but both teams failed to carve out clear chances.
Cardiff defender Wes Nelson had to do well to cut out a Tom Lockyer cross as Charlton continued to threaten. Bowyer then added Deji Oshilaja and Chuks Aneke in search of an opener.
Cardiff responded by introducing forward pair Lee Tomlin and Junior Hoilett, and Albert Adomah - who is set for a controversial return to parent club Nottingham Forest - went close.
Hoilett had a fine chance at the back post from an Adomah cross but could not hit the target. It summed up Cardiff's inability to make the final ball or shot count.
The home side pushed the harder for a winner in the final 10 minutes but Nelson headed wide from a Hoilett free-kick.
Charlton's Aneke felt hard done by the physical defending of Nelson and Cardiff captain Sean Morrison, but in the end neither side could break the deadlock as the ball burst in the final minute.
Cardiff's Neil Harris: "The euphoria of the last two games and my praise for the players was right, but we still have a long way to go and that was shown tonight.
"We dominated the ball but lacked a killer instinct. Fair play to Charlton, we couldn't break them down but I'm pleased with a clean sheet and some individual performances."
Charlton's Lee Bowyer: "It was a well-earned point. At times we looked dangerous, but to be fair at times so did Cardiff. It was a fair result and there were not many clear-cut chances. This is a tough place to come because don't forget Cardiff only came down from the Premier League last season. I'm happy with a point because Cardiff are a good side.
"Not many teams have beaten Leeds this season. They had a good win at Preston as well so we knew it would be tough. To get seven points from our first three games is very good The players are putting their bodies on the line and defending properly. To have three clean sheets means you are always going to be in a game."
