Birthday boy Arthur Okonkwo celebrated his 25th birthday with a clean sheet as the Addicks drew 0-0 with Queens Park Rangers at The Valley on Wednesday evening.
The result moves Charlton up to fifth in the Sky Bet Championship and extends the Addicks' unbeaten home start to the season, though it could have been even better had Tyreece Campbell's 39th-minute goal not been ruled out for offside.
Speaking after the game, Okonkwo said: “We knew it was going to be difficult, I thought the boys did well, especially after last week. I thought we defended really well and we were a bit unfortunate with decisions that went against us in the first half but in the end a clean sheet against a really good side is always good and we look to Saturday now.
“The manager wanted to see a reaction from us defensively [following Saturday’s loss to Stoke City]. I think against Stoke we had some decisions against us as well, which set us back, but that’s no excuse for how we defended at times. Today was a good reaction, we stayed strong, defended our box really well and were able to get a clean sheet. We’d have liked to have won but that’s football for you.”
The Charlton stopper was relatively untested but produced a crucial save to deny former Addick Paul Smyth in the 62nd minute.
He explained: “We lost the ball in a dangerous area. You see the one-v-one coming, I just tried to stand up as long as possible and make it difficult for the attacker. I tried to stay high and make the goal look small and I was able to get my leg out and block the shot. It was a really important save and I’m just happy I made it.”
Okonkwo was pleased with the character the Addicks showed.
“We’re going to have moments in the season where things don’t go well," he said, "so it’s always good to see the reaction from today and just being able to defend much better. Unfortunately we did not get the result tonight but they are a good side and you stake a point sometimes against a good side. I think we reacted well, I’m happy with how we defended today.”
The Charlton goalkeeper has settled in well since joining the Addicks last month.
“The fans have been amazing,” he said. “They’ve made me feel at home already, the same with the players, it’s always nice getting a clean sheet.
“We’ve got two home games now. The games are coming thick and fast. A good point at home today, with a clean sheet, which I think was really important and it puts us in a good place going into the game against Portsmouth.”
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