Charlton boss Lee Bowyer delighted as Addicks battle to win at league leaders Pompey

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer was delighted as his side battled to three points at League One leaders Portsmouth.

First-half goals from Karlan Grant and Nicky Ajose were enough to earn the three points for the South Londoners. Andre Green pulled one back for the hosts with three minutes left to play before former Millwall man Ben Thompson was shown a straight red card in added time.

The Addicks held on to record their fifth win in the last six league games.

“Fully deserved I think, as an overall performance,” said Bowyer after the Addicks’ second win in two years at Fratton Park.

“First-half we were the better side and dominated the ball. We knew we couldn’t come here and compete with them physically with them from the start. You can tell that at the end. They’re a strong physical side. They’re good at what they do. You can see why they’re top.

“Once we got the ball we moved it and kept it well. We had to out pass them and we did that first-half. Second-half it was difficult. They flooded the box and kept hitting long diagonals and playing for second balls. Our back-four and keeper defended so well. I don’t know how many headers they did today – they’ll have a headache in the morning.

“Everyone put a shift in. It’s so good for me. I know they can play football like they did in the first-half. But to dig deep like they did in the last twenty minutes, putting their bodies on the line.

“George Lapslie has been kicked in the face twice, Krystian Bielik has been elbowed in the face. Mark Marshall has damaged ribs, Lyle Taylor a big lump on his foot. I just hope they’re OK for Saturday.

“If we had taken care of it a bit better – we created two v ones – if we just took care of that final bit and score one more then it’s game over. But that’s not like us, we have to do it the difficult way. But I’m being nit-picky there.”