Linfield 4-1 Crusaders

Linfield were in superb form at Windsor Park as they swept aside Crusaders in an impressive 4-1 win in the Danske Bank Premeirship.

The champions were stunned by the home side, who scored two goals in a 3 minute blitz early in the first half to set the tone of the match.

In the 11th minute, Stephen Fallon found acres of space between the lines to slip the ball through for Joel Cooper, who finished from the edge of the box via a slight deflection.

As the Crues struggled to compose themselves, Kirk Millar whipped in a corner from the right and Jimmy Callacher was unmarked to score a simple back post header.

The visitors were sparked into making 2 changes at the break, with Billy Joe Burns and Philip Lowry replacing Kyle Owens and Matthew Snoddy.

However, just 3 minutes into the 2nd half, Josh Robinson stabbed home Linfield's third after the Crues failed to clear a free kick from the right.

Jordan Stewart then scored a stunning 4th with barely 55 minutes played at Windsor Park.

The forward collected a pass from Cooper before cutting inside and effortlessly weaving his way beyond a couple of Crusaders defenders before skipping past the keeper and tapping into an empty net.

Phillip Lowry pulled one back for the Crues in the 67th minute, volleying from close range after the home side struggled to clear their lines after a Ross Clarke corner, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal.