Josh Cullen’s controversial stoppage-time penalty earned Charlton a point in an ill-tempered game against 10-man West Brom. The on-loan midfielder rescued a 2-2 draw for the Addicks after Semi Ajayi collided with Naby Sarr in the box.
Hal Robson-Kanu looked to have won it late for the Championship leaders after Macauley Bonne scored his fifth goal in six games to cancel out Matt Phillips’ early opener for Albion.
The referee, Matthew Donohue, courted controversy before the penalty after initially sending off West Brom’s Grady Diangana in a case of mistaken identity – before correcting his mistake and dismissing Nathan Ferguson. Albion did at least extend their advantage at the top of the Championship to two points, with Charlton 10th.
The Baggies looked to take immediate advantage of Leeds’ lunchtime draw at Sheffield Wednesday and opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Jake Livermore sent Matheus Pereira clear and his low cross was a gift for Phillips to fire in at the far post.
Charlton levelled on the hour when Cullen’s 25-yard drive looped high off Kyle Bartley and Bonne kept his cool to nod in from six yards.
It got worse for Albion four minutes later when Ferguson flew into Chris Solly on the halfway line and referee Donohue sparked mass confusion. The official took his time before issuing a red card to the bewildered Diangana. Protesting Albion were furious and Donohue consulted with his assistant and fourth official, finally dismissing Ferguson.
Cullen almost made Charlton’s advantage count but fired wide before Albion retook the lead with nine minutes left. Robson-Kanu cut in from the left and curled into the bottom corner from 16 yards.
But Charlton hit back in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Ajayi came together with Sarr in the box and Cullen buried the penalty.