Manchester City 1 Charlton Athletic 1: Just as Robbie Fowler's third goal in as many Premiership games looked as though it had brought to an end Manchester City's run of 12 games without a win, Paolo Di Canio pinched a point for the visitors by scoring from close range after David Seaman had saved his late penalty.
Having tried a number of exotic tactical formations in his recent attempts to find a winning formula, City manager Kevin Keegan's straightforward 4-4-2 included Paul Bosvelt, ostensibly to give his midfield steel in place of the injured Steve McManaman.
But while Bosvelt might have been known as "The Enforcer" in his days at Feyenoord, the Dutchman quickly showed his creative side. His through ball in the 13th minute put Nicolas Anelka well clear, but the striker delayed his shot long enough for Radostin Kishishev to make a crucial half-block.
If that was a bad miss, the one perpetrated by Di Canio two minutes later was almost criminal. Kishishev's cross was headed down by Jason Euell to Jonatan Johansson, and the Finn picked out the unmarked Di Canio, but from no more than 10 yards the Italian side-footed wide.
It was a rare excursion upfield for Charlton in an opening half hour in which City enjoyed the majority of possession and used it well. Richard Dunne headed a Michael Tarnat free-kick over, and Anelka contrived to waste several good positions.
Busy but relatively untroubled in defence, Charlton were sufficiently encouraged to think more positively. Euell slid a shot from the edge of area a foot wide, and Dunne was fortunate not to give away a penalty when he clearly tugged Johansson's arm in the area. The striker's theatrical fall did not help his cause.
Now, however, City received a huge break. Anelka, perhaps the most selfish striker in the Premiership, dribbled his way into the penalty area. Fowler made a run, which Anelka inevitably ignored, but as the Frenchman was tackled the ball rebounded to Fowler who beat Dean Kiely from close range.
Soon after the break Scott Parker, played in by Di Canio, looked certain to equalise, but having tempted the England prospect by leaving a gap at his near post, Seaman pulled off a smart save. Chances came at both ends as Di Canio volleyed over and Trevor Sinclair drove a stinging effort wide, but Anelka, played through by the impressive Joey Barton, again allowed himself to be robbed in the act of shooting.
Five minutes remained when referee Peter Walton bravely but correctly ruled that Barton had handled in the area. Seaman brilliantly saved Di Canio's spot-kick, but the Italian reacted quickly to slot home the rebound from a narrow angle. It was tough luck on Seaman, but no more than the visitors, and particularly Parker, deserved for their driving second-half performance.
MANCHESTER CITY: Seaman; Sommeil, Dunne, Distin, Tarnat; Siberski (Wright-Phillips 73), Bosvelt, Reyna (Barton 20), Sinclair; Fowler (Macken 71), Anelka. Goal: Fowler, 39. Subs not used: Stuhr-Ellegaard, Sun Jihai.
CHARLTON: Kiely; Kishishev, Fish, Perry, Hreidarsson; Konchesky (Cole 61), Parker, Holland; Euell; Di Canio, Johansson (Jensen 73). Goal: Di Canio, 84. Subs not used: Royce, Stewart, Fortune
Referee: P Walton
