Cliftonville 3-2 Linfield
Reds score 3 goals in final 12 minutes after being 2-0 down
Cliftonville fought back from 2-0 down to grab a late winner and claim the points against Linfield at Solitude.
An Aaron Burns double had put the Champions in control but goals from Chris Curran and Jay Donnelly pulled the Reds level, and a 92nd minute header from Garry Breen sealed the win.
Cliftonville dominated the opening minutes, and were presented the first chance of the afternoon after Blues captain Jamie Mulgrew lost the ball in midfield. It ended up bouncing into the path of Joe Gormley - but he volleyed high and wide with 11 minutes on the clock.
However, it was Linfield who scored the opener in the 16th minute. From the right, Chris Casement crossed for Aaron Burns who was left unmarked to fly in and volley past Brian Neeson from 6 yards.
The home side weren't short of chances, and when Rory Donnelly pulled a ball back for Gormely in the 26th, the forward looked certain to score. But once again he couldn't steer his effort on target, scooping it over the bar from close range.
An injury to Cliftonville's Tomas Cosgrove then drew a long delay in play. He was eventually subbed off with a head injury, and taken to hospital for treatment for a concussion and a cut to his face.
When the game resumed, Gormley went even closer with next effort, 4 minutes before half time. This time it was on target and drew a superb one-handed save from Roy Carroll. The 40-year-old keeper, playing on his birthday, then saw Ross Lavery shoot wide with the follow-up.
Fewer than 10 minutes into the second half, Gormley had yet another chance inside the box, but he snatched at it and his weak shot was easily gathered by Carroll.
Despite being unable to take full control of the game Linfield soon doubled their lead, again scoring during a period in which they had been second best.
Goalscorer Burns collected a cross on the edge of the Cliftonville box and twisted and turned before being hacked down by Jamie McGovern.
Burns managed to compose himself and slam home the resulting penalty in the 69th minute, his effort much too powerful for Neeson who couldn't keep it out despite getting his hands behind the ball.
Cliftonville rallied, and pulled a goal back in the 80th minute. The ball broke for Chris Curran on the edge of the box, and he drove an 18-yard-shot into the bottom corner.
5 minutes later, they grabbed a well-deserved equaliser.
This time Curran turned provider, working his way down the right before hacking in a cross from the byline. It floated towards the back post where substitute Jay Donnelly rose highest to guide home a crucial header.
Curran then rounded off a man of the match performance, leading Cliftonville forward as they chased a winner.
It finally came in the 92nd minute. Linfield failed to clear their lines after a corner, and Curran launched a cross into the box. In flew big centre half Garry Breen to get to the ball ahead of anybody in a blue shirt, and slam home a decisive, winning header.