Linfield 1-0 Glentoran

Aaron Burns' 5th minute goal was enough to settle the first Belfast Big Two derby of the Danske Bank Premiership season.

The visitors were often the better side, but they couldn't find a way past Roy Carroll as the Blues held on to claim all 3 points thanks to that early strike.

It came after Glentoran had initially cleared the danger after a corner, but Jamie Mulgrew sprayed a pass wide left to Jordan Stewart who crossed for Aaron Burns to plant a header from 7 yards.

It took a superb 11th minute double save from Roy Carroll to keep Linfield ahead, first denying Robbie McDaid and then from Curtis Allen on the follow-up.

The Blues keeper was soon called into action again, diving back towards his goal to claw the ball away after Stafford's attempted clearance clattered back off McDaid.

10 minutes before the break Carroll was busy once again, desperately scrambling it away after a clash with John McGuigan, who had been played in by Allen.

On the hour mark, Glens midfielder James Knowles whipped in a free kick from distance. Although he intended to find a man in a black and green shirt, the ball almost dropped into the top corner, needing a touch from Carroll to help it over.

Linfield were uncharacterstically lacking in creativity, perhaps best summed up when Jamie Mulgrew blasted over a speculative volley from distance in the 68th.

A minute later, Blues defender Chris Casement got himself into the right position to deny Glens replacement Stephen Gordon, who was lurking and almost certain to score a tap-in from McGuigan's driven ball.

Glentoran threw men forward as they chased an equaliser, but as the clock ticked away it became increasingly unlikely and Linfield held on for the win.