Charlton 2-1 Walsall - Game of Two Halves Sees Addicks Take Important, Hard-Earned 3 Points
Charlton looked to get back to their impressive form before back-to-back away defeats to Coventry and promotion rivals Barnsley over the congested festive period, where they lost just once in 8 league games. Meanwhile Walsall came to the Valley in search of their first win in their last 4 league games, only picking up 2 points from a possible 12. The Addicks came into the game in 6th, just one point ahead of Doncaster in 7th. While the Saddlers sat in 14th. Following the busy Christmas period, Charlton amassed numerous injuries, including the likes of key defender, Jason Pearce and young midfielder Joe Aribo, forcing Addicks boss, Lee Bowyer, to bring in youth prospects, Toby Stevenson and Albie Morgan. As well as Dillon Phillips being called into action after Aston Villa cut Jed Steer's loan short and Chris Solly's suspension making a drastically changed back 5 for the Addicks.
A whirlwind opening 10 minutes to the game with two goals in as many minutes saw Charlton take an early 2-0 advantage. With Tariqe Fosu playing a perfectly weighted through ball to put Karlan Grant one-on-one to hold off his man and calmly slot underneath Walsall goalkeeper, Liam Roberts. Shortly after, Lyle Taylor converted from the penalty spot after Jack Fitzwater felled Taylor as he latched onto an Albie Morgan cross. After going 2-0 down so early in the game, the Saddlers struggled to get anything going and were simply outclassed by Charlton. The Addicks' passing was accurate and precise, with players like Ben Reeves controlling and orchestrating the midfield, spraying cross-field passes directly to the feet of his teammates. The Addick's faded towards the end of the half and Walsall worked their most notable chance of the game in the 42nd minute when Josh Gordon's well hit volley was headed off the line by Naby Sarr. Just before half time, the Saddlers had another good chance to half the deficit, if not for a good Phillips save.
Walsall got off to the perfect start in the second half, scoring within the first two minutes. Andy Cook's low, driven shot found the bottom right corner to put the tiring Addicks under pressure. Charlton struggled to settle, but soon regained control of the game around the hour mark, making for a more even encounter than the first half. While Charlton pushed to extend their lead and regain their two-goal advantage, a truly shocking refereeing decision saw a perfectly good goal disallowed at the dismay of a tiring Charlton side. Reeves's corner was met by the head of Taylor, but for some reason, the linesman decided to flag for a foul on Roberts.
As the game came to a close, after a nervous closing 10 minutes, Charlton got 2019 off to the perfect start and earned a much-needed three points that keeps them firmly in and around the Play-off positions and just 6 points off Luton in second place. After consecutive away defeats, three points were a must as the Addicks face another tough challenge in their next game against promotion rivals, Sunderland. Meanwhile, Walsall continue to fight for a win that may change their fortunes and end their winless streak. This result leaves the Saddlers in 15th with 32 points, just 6 points clear of the relegation zone. After an FA Cup tie with Championship outfit, Bolton Wanderers, the Saddlers face teams below and around them, either in the relegation zone or just above, in an important run of fixtures in Scunthorpe, Gillingham, Plymouth, Wimbledon and Rochdale.
Injuries and Suspensions Force Addicks Into Much-Changed Defence and Midfield with Toby Stevenson (Above), Dillon Phillips and Albie Morgan all Starting
A whirlwind opening 10 minutes to the game with two goals in as many minutes saw Charlton take an early 2-0 advantage. With Tariqe Fosu playing a perfectly weighted through ball to put Karlan Grant one-on-one to hold off his man and calmly slot underneath Walsall goalkeeper, Liam Roberts. Shortly after, Lyle Taylor converted from the penalty spot after Jack Fitzwater felled Taylor as he latched onto an Albie Morgan cross. After going 2-0 down so early in the game, the Saddlers struggled to get anything going and were simply outclassed by Charlton. The Addicks' passing was accurate and precise, with players like Ben Reeves controlling and orchestrating the midfield, spraying cross-field passes directly to the feet of his teammates. The Addick's faded towards the end of the half and Walsall worked their most notable chance of the game in the 42nd minute when Josh Gordon's well hit volley was headed off the line by Naby Sarr. Just before half time, the Saddlers had another good chance to half the deficit, if not for a good Phillips save.
Charlton Players Celebrate Lyle Taylor's Penalty Giving the Addicks an Early Two-Goal Advantage
Walsall got off to the perfect start in the second half, scoring within the first two minutes. Andy Cook's low, driven shot found the bottom right corner to put the tiring Addicks under pressure. Charlton struggled to settle, but soon regained control of the game around the hour mark, making for a more even encounter than the first half. While Charlton pushed to extend their lead and regain their two-goal advantage, a truly shocking refereeing decision saw a perfectly good goal disallowed at the dismay of a tiring Charlton side. Reeves's corner was met by the head of Taylor, but for some reason, the linesman decided to flag for a foul on Roberts.
As the game came to a close, after a nervous closing 10 minutes, Charlton got 2019 off to the perfect start and earned a much-needed three points that keeps them firmly in and around the Play-off positions and just 6 points off Luton in second place. After consecutive away defeats, three points were a must as the Addicks face another tough challenge in their next game against promotion rivals, Sunderland. Meanwhile, Walsall continue to fight for a win that may change their fortunes and end their winless streak. This result leaves the Saddlers in 15th with 32 points, just 6 points clear of the relegation zone. After an FA Cup tie with Championship outfit, Bolton Wanderers, the Saddlers face teams below and around them, either in the relegation zone or just above, in an important run of fixtures in Scunthorpe, Gillingham, Plymouth, Wimbledon and Rochdale.
Lyle Taylor Has Goal Wrongfully Disallowed as Addicks Hang on to the Three Points
Comments
Post a Comment