Portsmouth continued their strong start to the season as a goal from substitute Lomana LuaLua secured a 1-0 defeat on Saturday of Charlton to send Pompey back top of the English Premiership.
Charlton strikers Marcus Bent and Darren Bent both hit the Portsmouth woodwork in the opening minute while Nwankwo Kanu went close for the visitors in the first half.
The Londoners dominated the second half, but Harry Redknapp's introduction of LuaLua proved the turning point as the Congo international fired home the only goal of the game from the edge of the area with 16 minutes remaining.
PHOTO: AP
Portsmouth have now kept a clean sheet for five consecutive league matches and sit top on 13 points, one clear of Manchester United, who had the chance to regain top spot with a win over Arsenal yesterday at Old Trafford.
"We've carried on from where we left off last season when we took 20 points from our last 10 games," Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said.
"We have been brilliant so far this season. We are trying to finish above our highest previous finish in the Premiership, which is 13th. We've had a good start, but we're not getting carried away," he said.
Everton missed the chance to join Portsmouth on 13 points after Wigan twice came from behind to seal a 2-2 draw.
Andy Johnson got his fifth goal of the season to put the Toffees in front shortly after the restart, but Paul Scharner equalized for Wigan on 62 minutes.
Everton were back in front a couple of minutes later when James Beattie scored from the penalty spot, after Gary Teale was judged to have fouled Leon Osman. Three minutes later, the sides were level again as Sharner netted his second, scoring with a left-footed shot from the left-hand side of the area.
Also on Saturday, Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough played out a scoreless draw while goals from Kevin Doyle and Seol Ki-Hyeon secured a 2-1 win for Reading at Sheffield United.
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