Lee Bowyer hails Charlton’s character as they come from behind twice to earn point against West Brom

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer praised his side’s character as they twice came from behind to hold leaders West Brom to a 2-2 draw at The Valley.

Kenneth Zahore, who scored the only goal of the game as the two sides met in the FA Cup just six days ago, had given the Baggies a first-half lead. Josh Davison soon cancelled that out with his first Addicks goal just before the half-hour mark.

Slaven Bilic’s side were back in front within a minute of the restart as Hal Robson-Kanu’s poke towards goal ricocheted in off Addicks defender Naby Sarr.

But Tom Lockyer’s header fourteen minutes from time was touched onto the post by Sam Johnstone before hitting the Baggies stopper’s face and dropping into the net.

“From start to finish, there was a lot of positives,” said Bowyer, as his side ended a two-game losing streak in the Championship.

“The two negatives are the two goals [we conceded]. To come from behind twice shows the character and our togetherness to keep going against a top West Brom side.

“It was two teams that wanted to win. I was pleased that my team could stand up to their physicality. You can see with some of their players, they’re big, muscly. We’ve got some kids out there. They stood there and competed, that’s all we can ask.

“[Josh Davison] wasn’t even supposed to be there, he was meant to run the other side,” added the Addicks boss, when asked about the youngster’s first Charlton goal – headed home after a corner was flicked on by Sarr.

“Fair play to him, it hits him and it goes in. He took it well, his reaction. I’m really pleased for him because the games he has played – here on the weekend in the cup he hit the bar and said ‘it just won’t go in for me.’

“I said ‘just keep doing what you are doing and it will come,’ I’m over the moon for him. Let’s not forget he was playing for Enfield a few months ago. Now he’s just scored against West Brom, a top, top side in this division. I’m really pleased for him.”

PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS