Deadlock city but Pardew's point is priceless

With Charlton out of the bottom three for the first time since September and City now six points clear of danger, this probably represented an acceptable evening's work for both teams.

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Charlton and England goalkeeper Scott Carson said: "We've been waiting to get out of the bottom three for a good few months so it's obviously a psychological boost. We defended well and got another clean sheet. I've got to think we're going to get out of it. Three more wins and we'll do that."

Sometimes it can be better to ensure you don't lose than to recklessly try to win. Nevertheless, with more than 41,000 present to see it, this was a frantic affair.

City enjoyed the better of the first half — with Emile Mpenza and Joey Barton going close — but Charlton's growing belief rattled Stuart Pearce's team at times after the break and they would have won had Chinese midfielder Zheng Zhi not frozen in front of goal with a little over 15 minutes left.

Two recent away wins had given Pearce a little breathing space at City, but not too much. Six points from victories at Middlesbrough and Newcastle had certainly done something for City's survival prospects and, indeed, for the manager's own chances of keeping his job.

But the fact remained that City fans had not seen a Premiership victory at home since the defeat of Everton on New Year's Day and as such Pearce knew that a win yesterday would mean a little more than the collection of three points.

His own honest assessment in his programme notes was that his team were not safe from relegation.

Given such sentiments — and indeed the reality — there was a welcome air of excitement around the City of Manchester Stadium at kick-off, something that has sadly been missing during this disappointing season.

Charlton — winners of three out of their last four under Alan Pardew — brought a healthy travelling support. Under the guidance of the ex-West Ham manager, expectations of an escape act have risen at The Valley and this was proof of that.

A point would have lifted them clear of the bottom three for the first time since September.

That said, the majority of the first half belonged to City.

Recent home performances — against Chelsea and particularly against Wigan — were notable for a clear lack of confidence among Pearce's players. But a couple of victories can do wonders for morale and this was a different City team for periods yesterday.

The Belgian centre forward Mpenza has brought City a clear focal point in attack, something that had eluded them when forced to rely on Georgios Samaras and Bernardo Corradi.

The former international came close to scoring the third goal of his brief spell at the club on three occasions in the first 16 minutes.

His opening chance arrived in the third minute as goalkeeper Scott Carson dived sharply to save and then Mpenza was denied by a goalline clearance from Amdy Faye as he headed Barton's corner towards the goal.

Lively left-sided midfield player Jerome Thomas could have brought Charlton a goal on the counter as he broke from is own half but then chose to pass rather than shoot when he seemed set to test Andreas Isaksson.

City captain Richard Dunne headed a Thomas cross into his own side netting as Charlton briefly threatened to force their way into the game.

City were not pushed back for long, however, and another shot from Mpenza — this time set up by Stephen Ireland — was turned aside by Carson from close range in the 28th minute.

Mpenza had looked dangerous but was guilty of not getting clear purchase on his shots.

This could not be said of Barton who twice drew saves from Carson from distance in the last 10 minutes of the first half.

A back-heel from Michael Johnson allowed Barton to drive a high shot towards the corner in the 37th minute, before he brought a far more impressive save from the Charlton keeper five minutes before the break.

This time it was Ireland who set him up and Barton's shot seemed set for the bottom corner before Carson intervened to touch it wide with his left hand.

The real test of City's mettle was always likely to come when Charlton managed to put them under pressure and Pardew's side threatened threatened to do that for the first 15 minutes of the second period.

Nedem Onuoha, the young City defender, headed wide when Johnson's cross found him unmarked on the hour. As the game wore on, so did the tension and the quality of the football began to suffer.

A cross from Luke Young looked destined for the head of Marcus Bent but it was deflected out of his reach at the last moment.

Then Zhi should have scored when set up by Marcus Bent, only to delay and allow Onuoha to tackle desperately but critically.

Then City substitute Samaras sent a diving header wide in injury time.

MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-3-2): Isaksson; Onuoha, Dunne, Distin, Ball; Sun; Barton, Ireland (Sinclair 74mins), Johnson; Vassell (Samaras 74), Mpenza.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Carson; Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Hreidarsson; Zhi, Song, Faye, Thomas (Rommedahl 90); M Bent, D Bent.

Man of the match: Joey Barton.

Referee: Alan Wiley.