Charlton 0-0 Everton

Everton's Mikel Arteta shields the ball from Charlton's Hermann Hreidarsson

Charlton and Everton played out a tame stalemate at The Valley.

Both clubs went into the match harbouring ambitions of cementing a place in the top half of the table.

But neither deserved to claim the victory in an encounter short on moments of real quality and dominated by the two defences.

Everton keeper Richard Wright was almost embarrassed by Matt Holland's first-half shot, while opposite number Thomas Myhre denied James Beattie.

Everton gave a first start of the season to Lee Carsley, while Charlton rested Darren Bent - who had a slight ankle knock - as a precaution ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough.

The England striker missed a desperately poor first 45 minutes almost totally devoid of inspiration.

Everton goalkeeper Wright nearly suffered huge embarrassment after 37 minutes when he allowed a hopeful punt from Holland to bounce over his head and he was forced to race and turn the ball away for a corner.

I think that's definitely curtains for Everton as far as getting into Europe is concerned From RE Have your say on 606

Beattie almost broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time in an incident that was out of character with the rest of the match.

He struck a stunning first-time volley from fully 30 yards that produced a fine fingertip save from former Everton keeper Myhre.

Charlton had rarely threatened, but Jason Euell had a chance when Gonzalo Sorondo's header caused confusion in the six-yard box only for Everton to scramble his effort to safety.

Addicks boss Alan Curbishley made a double change after 65 minutes, sending on Dennis Rommedahl and Shaun Bartlett for Jay Bothroyd and Radostin Kishishev.

The switch almost reaped instant rewards, but the head of Alan Stubbs got in the way of Rommedahl's goal-bound shot.

---

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley:
"It was a hard-fought game that needed a goal, unfortunately that never came along.

"If I'm setting targets for the rest of the season it would be to finish in the top 10 and reach the FA Cup final. They have been crying out for a cup run since I got here.

"Everton are on a terrific run. I could have told my midfield to be nice and expansive and go forward, then that might have allowed Tim Cahill space to maybe score and no-one would have thanked me for that."

Everton manager David Moyes:
"It was not a good game, but it was a good point because it keeps us in the top ten and above Charlton.

"It was disappointing that we brought so many fans to see us and it wasn't a very good match. It makes it very difficult for us now to get into the Uefa Cup places.

"After the start of the season we had, we now aim to finish as high up the league as we can.

"The start we had was really poor by our standards, and I have to give the players credit.

"Since the turn of the year, they have not dropped many points and mostly have played well."

---

Charlton: Myhre, Spector, Perry, Sorondo, Hreidarsson, Kishishev (Rommedahl 65), Holland, Euell, Thomas (Ambrose 78), Marcus Bent, Bothroyd (Bartlett 65).
Subs Not Used: Andersen, Sankofa.

Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Neville, Osman (Davies 84), Carsley, Cahill, Arteta, Beattie (Ferguson 80), McFadden.
Subs Not Used: Turner, Naysmith, Weir.

Booked: Hibbert, McFadden.

Att: 26,954

Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).