Linfield 8-1 Glenavon
Linfield thrashed Glenavon 8-1 in a ruthless display in the Danske Bank Premiership at Windsor Park.
The Blues started on the front foot, and took only 6th minutes to find the opening goal as they ran riot in a timely return to form.
Kirk Millar broke forward before his cross from the right wing was partially blocked, falling invitingly into the path of the onrushing Stephen Fallon. The midfielder burst into acres of space in the Glenavon box, guiding the ball into the top corner from 10 yards.
It was Fallon who was involved in the build-up to the second goal, when he was hacked down inside the Glenavon box by Matthew Snoddy who got himself booked in the process, as he indicated that the foul has taken place outside the box.
The ref wasn't convinced, and Millar stepped up confidently, and rolled the 15th minute spot kick into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 to the home side.
Just 3 minutes later, Linfield added another as Joel Cooper lashed in the 3rd. The winger cut in from the right, and smashed a 20-yard effort into the top corner as Glenavon completely fell apart.
Their afternoon somehow got even worse in the 20th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Former Linfield midfielder Robbie Garrett received a straight red card after appearing to say something to referee Ian McNabb.
The deluge of goals continued in the 28th minute when striker Shayne Lavery rose highest from Millar's corner, flicking a header beyond Tuffey as Linfield continued their ruthless first half display.
Some sensational work down the left by Joel Cooper set up the 5th, as he drifted beyond his man to pull the ball back for Matthew Clarke, with the full-back finishing well from 6 yards - although Glenavon felt the ball had gone out of play before Cooper's pass.
Glenavon pulled one back through a Sammy Clingan penalty in the 40th minute after Snoddy was bundled over in the box, but it wasn't much consolation for the Lurgan Blues, who found themselves 5-1 down after an abject half at Windsor.
7 minutes after the break, the referee gave the 3rd penalty of the game, this one awarded in favour of Linfield after a handball from a set-piece. Jordan Stewart planted it into the bottom corner to further extend the lead.
Cooper made it 7 in the 79th minute after a rare mistake from Glenavon keeper Jonathan Tuffey. He got down low to prevent the winger's drive from 20 yards, but the ball slipped through his fingers and bobbled into the net.
In the dying minutes, Linfield broke on the counter and it was Jimmy Callacher of all people who turned up at the back post to tap home the 8th goal for Linfield.