PAOLO Di Canio's 84th-minute leveller for Charlton pitched Manchester City into new depths of despair at Eastlands.
City thought Robbie Fowler's well-taken first-half effort was going to be enough to end a run of 12 games without a win.
But, after Joey Barton had handled a controversial Charlton free-kick, David Seaman saved di Canio's penalty - only for the Italian to tap home the rebound.
Shaun Wright-Phillips became the latest fall guy for Manchester City's dismal recent run when he was axed from the side to face fourth-placed Charlton.
With City looking to halt an unenviable 12-match streak without a win, Wright-Phillips was left on the bench as Trevor Sinclair was handed his first start since December 13.
It was one of three changes by Blues boss Kevin Keegan as Antoine Sibierski replaced hamstring injury victim Steve McManaman and Michael Tarnat returned for Sun Jihai.
Charlton were boosted by the return of influential midfielder Scott Parker, who missed Saturday's shock FA Cup exit at Gillingham with a bruised ankle.
However, Luke Young was not included by Addicks chief Alan Curbishley despite supposedly recovering from a similar problem as Charlton looked to avenge an opening day defeat to City and cement their unexpected Premiership position.
City were on the offensive early and Nicolas Anelka would have profited from Robbie Fowler's neat flick had Matt Holland not slid in to make a vital tackle inside his own penalty area.
Wasted chances
Anelka was presented with an even better chance shortly afterwards when Paul Bosvelt's lofted pass from inside his own half set the striker free.
However, the Frenchman wanted too many touches, which allowed Radostin Kishishev the chance to chase back and prevent Anelka unleashing his shot.
Charlton should have gone in front on virtually their first attack when Jason Euell and Jonatan Johansson combined to set up Paolo di Canio in space 10 yards out but amazingly the Italian dragged his shot wide.
The home side were forced into a change after just 20 minutes when Claudio Reyna limped off, England Under-21 international Joey Barton eagerly entering the fray.
Two superbly-timed interventions from Richard Dunne snuffed out a couple of dangerous-looking Charlton attacks as the visitors began to gain the ascendancy in midfield.
Euell went close with a shot on the turn after taking Di Canio's pass with his back to goal before Charlton were denied what appeared to be a certain penalty when Dunne appeared to haul Johansson back as the Finnish international tried to latch onto a long ball.
But, after finding themselves under pressure, City rallied to take the lead.
Anelka did all the hard work, evading Euell, Hermann Hreidarsson and Mark Fish as his mazy dribble took him into the area.
First time volley
Eventually, he ran into Chris Perry but the loose ball looped up and Fowler immediately volleyed it into the net.
Parker took a knock during the opening stages of the second period but recovered quickly and should have scored when di Canio angled a Kishishev's pass into the midfielder's path.
It was an acute angle but Seaman appeared to have move too far away from his post, only to produce an excellent low save as Parker attempted to hit the gap.
Sibierski curled a free-kick into Kiely's arms at the other end before Fish produced a perfectly-executed sliding tackle to prevent Anelka racing onto Barton's through-ball.
Parker created the next chance when he dropped a pass over the City defence which fell nicely for di Canio - but the former West Ham favourite could not keep the difficult volley down.
Sinclair was inches wide with a low drive at the other end after Fowler had flicked a Sibierski cross into his path.
Charlton made their first change just past the hour mark when Carlton Cole replaced Konchesky, then Sommeil limped away after taking a strong tackle from Johansson.
Fowler provided Bosvelt with a decent shooting chance as City went hunting a second but Kiely beat out the Dutchman's powerful drive, then Sibierski curled a 20-yard effort narrowly wide.
Sweat was pouring from Fowler's forehead when he was replaced by Jon Macken 19 minutes from time, an indication of the effort he had put in.
Wright-Phillips was introduced for Sibierski soon afterwards, with Claus Jensen being thrown on for Johansson at the same time.
Rasping effort
Anelka rasped a 25-yard effort wide as City continued to look the most likely to find the net again and Curbishley made his last change with the arrival of Graham Stuart for Euell.
Keegan was becoming increasingly animated on the bench as the elusive win drew closer - but his sense of foreboding was palpable when Sylvain Distin conceded a controversial free-kick midway inside his own half six minutes from time.
Sure enough, Kishishev swung it over, it evaded all the heads, bounced onto Barton's hand and the penalty was awarded.
City could not believe their misfortune but worse was to follow as Seaman beat out di Canio's spot-kick, only for the Italian to tap the follow-up into an empty net.
What does Kev need to do to get a win? Have your say.
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Mr. KK needs to go, after this the CITY need a new boss. Thanks
Some commitment, grit & determination needed - Tiatto back in ??
Time to pack your bags and clear off Keegan, you have turned us into relegation fodder and spent B#50M in the process. Keegan out campaign starts here, be loyal to your club + not an individual.
KK should realise that Seaman, Bosvelt and McManaman are very much passed it. Whereas Sibierski, Sinclair, Sommail, Sun, Tarnat and Reyna are average Premiership players at best. We need to buy quality not quantity next summer. I'd love to see how many games we'd have gone unbeaten with Huckerby and Berkovic in the team
I don't care anymore! Its taken 40 years but KK and the current team have ended my interest. That was my last match. I wont be paying B#5 to park plus B#2.50 for a programme on top of the B#450 plus for my season ticket to leave the ground feeling so utterly depressed week after week. I don't mind losing, hey supporting City you get used to it. I dont mind drawing against teams. I do mind supporting financially a club whose players and management dont give a toss about the supporters or the club as long as they receive weekly wage packets that we could only dream off. Also KK I see you feel the crowd should sing and shout more, well if the team played decent football (Win Lose or Draw) they might. I tried donating the season ticket to the samaritans but they said that it might not help as a high percentage of city fans seem to be using their services at the moment.
What Kevin needs for a win is...a new season. Are there 3 teams that can keep us up?
What does Kev need to do to get a win?
Lose the ego; swallow his pride and bring Berkovich back into the team, at least for 45 minutes per game. We have little or no creativity.
for city to win again,sack the manager and his crazy defenders, city need a manager who knows how to get the defence to defend, and the midfield to play. city going down,its looking more like it each passing game,act now mr wardle before we start our first division travels.
B#1million plus per year buys a manager who does not attend the club's annual general meeting because he feels he is not accountable to anyone.
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I know I will be accused of excessive negativity. Under normal circumstances I would get behind the team and support the manager as I have done during far worse crises. But there is something that really riles me about a manager who has so little regard for his employers that he does not feel obliged to attend the club's AGM. <br>One can only deduce that Keegan has no reassuring words about his long term plans and that there really is no silver lining to the B#50million cloud of debt that he has almost single-handedly thrust upon us. Keegan has done a terrible job which he has so far managed to blame on everyone except himself (including, repeatedly, the fans). Well here is the message for you, Mr Keegan: Stand up, take responbsibility like a man, and if you expect support from the fans, respect the wishes of the vast majority of them and take the necessary moves to keep our most talented playmaker at the club.<br> If I had the chance to interview Mr keegan, I would ask many of the questions that he was too scared to face at the AGM. Such as "Do you think David Sommeil is B#3million better than Lucien Mettomo?" <br>"Do you think Mattias Vuoso, John Macken, Trevor Sinclair, Christian Negouai, David Sommeil have represented good value for the club at a combined total of over B#15million?" <br>"How much do you expect we could recoup for this dead wood in a transfer market where Eyal Berkovic, Lucien Mettomo, Darren Huckerby and Kevin Horlock would cost a combined total of B#3million." <br>
But before any of these questions I would ask the following. "Why do you always hide from tough questions? Are you too soft to face the truth?" If all the money I spend following the hapless team of mercenaries you have assembled does not buy a decent team, then at least it should buy us some answers. <br>If you do not have the guts to take criticism and prove doubters (like me) wrong, then please just leave. If you go, maybe we'll be able to get Bernstein back as chairman.
He should put sun jihai to the right-front
I would not worry. It will take only one good game for City to click, then watch out. I think they are trying too hard. It is still too soon to write them off for a european place. Optimistic, yes, but there are lot of teams in the league who are worst than City.
Premiership managers as we all know live or die on results and 13 games without a single victory not only represents a forthcoming relagation battle but also it is totally unacceptable. Keegan cannot for much longer keep blaming on lady luck,his team that cost B#50M to assemble are in freefall and its down to mickey mouse coaching,tactics,and transfer dealings,WHERE IS OUR NEXT WIN COMING FROM?
Keegan should try poaching players, getting his players to hound the referee and start diving because thats the only way to get the FA on our side. We are having far to many suspicious decisions that either the referee or linesmen are seeing that 40,000 other people in the ground don't. The Charlton Players didn't appeal and neither did there Fans last night but as usual the referee wants to make a name for himself. We can also thank the FA for allowing a certain mr riley to referee at eastlands 4 times this season. The team hasn't helped but we do not stand a chance of staying in the Premiership unless Keegan takes the team off the pitch when we are being balntantly cheated ala Steve Bruce at Highbury when Kanu scored when Birmingham had kicked the ball out for a player to recieve treatment.
PS... KK why continue to put Seaman in nets, you wouldn't mind at his age if it was his reactions that had slowed down, but it appears to be the decision making that his causing all the problems. I don't think Seaman has realised he is allowed to use his hands yet. Albeit Mr Riley/Poll/Palton/Rennie would probably send him off for it anyway, but with the way he's playing i'd rather have me mam in
That baldy magician Ali Bongo - that'll do the trick! (We can't afford David Blaine)...
I think we need to pray for a win. What else can we do? We were penalised for a ball to hand incident and that is the way it is going at the moment. Just hope this nightmare is over soon.
Typical half wits calling for King Kev's head. Its not Kevin's fault that the team is not getting the rub of the green is it? Last night we dominated the game, likewise for most of the Liverpool game. Calling for King Kev's head is nonsense - who would replace him - some non entity like Eddie Gray or perhaps the old call for Martin O Neill - why would he come to City. Get of Kev's back you bunch of moaning morons.
I must admit I love the way all the older players are being used as a scapegoat for the poor form we are going through! Give them a break! STILL you find it acceptable to slate our keeper Dave Seaman even when he denies Parker brilliantly and then is so unlucky to concede when he makes a great penalty save! Show a bit of respect to a great player who remains to be an asset to the club. At times like this the club needs supports not fans looking for anyone to blame. Its a TEAM game! Come on you blues I know you can turn it round!
Well said Blue Dave. Shut up you depressing fools. Keegan has doen a terrific job. one bad run in his time in charge isn't the end of the world. Grow up and look at the bigger picture. And before you all have a go at me, I do go to games and I'm as blue as it gets. I just understand that football can change quickly as anything and when things turn around I hope you're all embarrased about some of the ridiculous comments that have been made.
Also ANDY who claims his mum is better than David Seaman! Get a life son! Or grow up - 1 of the 2 please!
no starting places for swp, and barton, eh ? those 2, with anelka and dunne are, i'm sad to say our only assets.. gather that it was the usual case of no creativity ? for crying out loud, macca cant cut it, so i really see no option but to play berkovic. forget personalities, the situation needs to be arrested, and if that means burying the hatchet, so be it. as a lot of us predicted at the time of kk's appointment, he just doesnt have the nowse to be a succesful manager, despite the huge, enormous funding he's received at every club he's managed at. pity that we've been shackled with some rather pricey deadwood, who wont be easy to move on .. pip..pip! by the way, i reckon martin o'niel, wud relish the city job, he likes a challenge.
Alexander Miller - you are a moaning fool. Keegan may have spent B#50million and made some mistakes but all managers make make mistakes - Taggart bought Ali G and then Ranieri, Vialli bought Sutton for B#10million, Hodgson bought Davies for B#7.5 million, Souness spent B#6million on an Italian striker, it took three years for Angel to start scoring at Villa you could go on for ages.
So we have not won in 13 games but out of bottom 15 clubs you cannot say one of them is far better than us. Imagine if we had a team that Royle had brought together we would be in Wolves position. So please take your moaning away from here and go down the bowls club you old f**t.
I bet Alexander Miller was first in line to call for the heads of the following Ex Managers, Jimmy Frizzel, Mel Machin, Howard Kendall,Peter Reid, Brian Horton,Alan Ball, Steve Copell, Frank Clark,and Joe Royle, all managers since 1986
I guess some just want to see that door keep on revolving and get CITY in worse trouble.
Kevin Keegan said a five year plan, its not even three years yet can,t you count !
If Kevin Keegan was to leave tomorrow who would replace him Pearce ?. Get real, we need Kevin Keegan.
Well Blue Dave is partially right in that sacking KK without a decent replacement would have no mileage. I still don't think KK is the man for the job long-term though but the thought of us getting Glenn Hoddle prevents me from really calling for his head right now. However, the facts presented by Alexander Miller are irrefutable. The money KK has spent does not represent good value. Also, his continued criticism of the fans is no way to win friends at a club that he obviously rates behind his beloved Liverpool, Newcastle, and dare I say it, Fulham.
We need to get through to the end of the season and then look who we can bring in to replace Keegan. Hopefully, we won't be looking for a guy who can help get us back into the Premiership!
Who are these numpties who can't do anything but call for KK out and EB back? Do you not go to matches? How can you blame KK for drawing against Leeds, Liverpool and Charlton? We outplayed them all. It's just a bad run for crying out loud! We were robbed by the ref last night, pure and simple. As soon as we win a couple of games I hope these bleaters will shut up.
A poor performance last night from a team with no creativity whatsoever. This team is terrible and the worst KK has built.