BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lyle Taylor put in his best ever display for Charlton Athletic in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Luton Town.

That is the verdict of Addicks manager Lee Bowyer after the 29-year-old striker made it 11 goals in 19 Championship matches with a double at The Valley.

Taylor is out of contract at the end of June and Charlton face a huge challenge to secure the former AFC Wimbledon marksman beyond this summer.

Bowyer said: “Lyle was exceptional from start to finish – that’s the best game he has played under me.

“Not just because of the goals but his all-round performance. He didn’t lose the ball and his link-up play was very good.

“The people he is playing against now are better players [than when he starred for Charlton in League One]. Cameron Carter-Vickers was at Spurs – he is a proper centre-half.

“But neither centre-half could handle him. Andre [Green] was a threat in behind and they worked really well together.

“Lyle is in a good place now and we need him to stay there – that comes down to me to keep pushing him. If he keeps playing like that then we will win more games than we lose.”

Taylor captained Charlton at the weekend.

“I can’t talk highly enough of Lyle and he has been like that since day one,” said Bowyer.

“You can’t get away from what he brings to us as a team.

“That includes his workrate – sprinting for the ball and making tackles.

“His hold-up play is something I’ve been on at him about. I thought it could’ve been better against Blackburn because then it allows players to get up around him.

“I don’t think he lost the ball once on Saturday.

“He bullied both Luton’s centre-halves.”

Charlton head to Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow night.

PICTURES BY PAUL EDWARDS