Karlan Grant and Lyle Taylor were on target as injury-ravaged Charlton earned their first win of 2019 against Walsall on New Year's Day.

The forward duo scored within three minutes of each other – Tariqe Fosu laid on the assist for Grant to open the scoring before Taylor rolled in a penalty soon after.

Walsall’s leading scorer Andy Cook would halve the deficit shortly into the restart but the fatigued Addicks held on for all three points.

The victory means they are fifth in the League One table, level on points with Barnsley, as Peterborough United drop out of the play-off spots.

READ: Charlton goalkeeper Dillon Phillips makes frank admission

Here are five things we learned…

A game of two halves

Charlton looked reinvigorated and at the races during the opening 45 minutes, and the two quickfire strikes showed their foot was on the gas.

But after a largely dominant first half, the second half was almost the opposite – passing became a struggle, there were lapses in concentration, and Walsall looked increasingly dangerous.

It’s clear the Addicks are running on fumes. While they’ll be wary of coming close to giving up a two-goal lead the performance was impressive given the circumstances.

Should Charlton have had a third goal?

One of the key talking points came in the second half when Taylor appeared to nod the ball home for a corner.

But it’d be ruled out moments later by referee Ross Joyce for what can only be assumed as impeding visiting goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

It didn’t look as though anyone was offside, and Bowyer was certain the goal shouldn’t have been ruled out, so one can only wonder why it was disallowed.

READ: How Bowyer found out Aston Villa loanee had been recalled

Albie Morgan could be a real boost for Bowyer

The 18-year-old was one of two teenagers fielded by the Charlton boss in what showed a real paucity of options available to him.

Despite that, Morgan impressed – his energy and work rate was superb while showing his qualities both on and off the ball.

Bowyer said as much in his post-match conference, and if the midfielder continues to in similar vein then he could be a significant boost amid the injury misery at the Valley.

Jonny Williams fuels transfer speculation with Valley visit

The Crystal Palace midfielder, who has played just 76 minutes of first-team football for the Eagles this season, was pictured in the stands during the New Year’s Day clash.

Bowyer was obviously coy over which January transfer targets Charlton were closing in on but it appears clear one of them is Jonny Williams.

If the 25-year-old comes in, presumably on a loan deal until the end of the season, he could add some real dynamism to the midfield.

READ: Charlton transfer targets could be signed before Sunderland clash

Sunderland will be a different test

Walsall were very much a difficult proposition for Charlton, and likely would’ve been hard to deal with even at full strength.

But the visit of Sunderland, who are flirting with automatic promotion back to the Championship, means preparation will be different.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Addicks line up and play in a game for which three points will be invaluable in their promotion bids.