Addicks ride their luck in 'barmy' Blades win

Charlton's January arrivals, Harry Clarke and Lyndon Dykes, made their debuts on a day that brought both encouragement and alarm.

Dykes, who can boast Australian side Surfers Paradise Apollo as one of his previous teams, was sporting the rarely seen No  99 shirt. He is no prolific scorer but offers a valuable foil for the likes of Charlie Kelman, Matt Godden and Miles Leaburn.

With Scotland bound for the World Cup this summer, the striker has every incentive to impress. Also, he will be looking forward to the visit of his old club QPR when they arrive at The Valley under the lights on 6 February.

Clarke meanwhile, who joins on loan from Ipswich Town, brushed aside any concerns of match readiness in this barmy contest.

His defensive nous should toughen a squad that has at times shown its Championship inexperience.

Even so, Charlton still look light at left wing‑back and urgently need reinforcements before the window closes.

This match, though, was all about survival instincts.

Sheffield United dominated the first half, enjoying huge amounts of possession and but for Thomas Kaminski's saves, the Blades might have been out of sight within 30 minutes.

The newly named EFL Championship player of the month, Patrick Bamford, and Andre Brooks were causing plenty of trouble to the Addicks defence.

But within 12 mad minutes, the Blades lost their cutting edge with two dismissals.

For all Chris Wilder's various remonstrations, he should be ultimately angry with his players for their ill-discipline after being in the driving seat.

Following the interval, Nathan Jones' side finally seized the moment. Substitute Dykes combined smartly in the build‑up to an early second-half goal that proved decisive.

The closing stages were defined by tension rather than fluency, with Charlton cautioned not to invite counter-attacks or concede needless set-pieces.

Relief swept The Valley as the final whistle blew — three precious points, however fortuitous.

It wasn't pretty and Jones admitted as much. "I don't care how we get them," he has said before - and that mantra felt apt.

With Harvey Knibbs now facing a lay‑off and James Bree returning to Southampton, Charlton's new signings will be vital in keeping the Addicks clear of danger as the scrap for survival tightens.