Linfield 4-0 Crusaders

Linfield moved 9 points clear at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership with a convincing 4-0 win over Crusaders at Windsor Park.

The Blues made an instant impact on a night of almost total dominance, finding the opener after just 90 seconds.

A Linfield corner wasn't fully cleared and quickly found its way to Kirk Millar close to the touchline wide on the left. With a second chance at a delivery he found the head of Jimmy Callacher for the center-back to flick his side ahead from 6 yards - although the last touch could have been via the arm of his defensive partner Mark Haughey.

Crusaders carved out a chance through Paul Heatley's solo run in the 23rd minute, but his low shot was easily saved by Ferguson at his near post, with the next real chance for the visitors not coming until shortly before half time.

A free kick from deep resulted in Crues captain Jordan Owens winning two successive headers, the second one guiding the ball into the path of Rodney Brown whose header was tipped onto the bar and over by Rohan Ferguson.

Shortly after the break, Andy Waterworth stung the palms of Crues keeper Gerard Doherty with a 20-yard volley, but his disappointed didn't last long as the striker scored his side's second goal a minute later.

Joel Cooper weaved into space down the left before pulling the ball back into the 6-yard-box. After a bit of pinball, and a scuffed Millar strike, Waterworth steered the ball high into the goal from 4 yards out to make it 2-0 with 50 minutes on the clock.

The goal filled Linfield with confidence, and 5 minutes later it took an impressive double save from Doherty to prevent Chris Casement from adding to the lead.

However, it only took until the 64th minute for the next Linfield goal, this time a Callacher header with no hint of a deflection. Millar was again the provider from the left, this time his delivery met by the center-back from 6 yards, his effort powering into the top corner to make it 3.

The goal effectively killed any slim hopes of a Crusaders comeback, and the final nail in their coffin was Howard Beverland's second yellow card in the 88th minute. Seconds before the final whistle, Cooper's clever pass picked out the late run of Stephen Fallon, and his smart finish into the bottom corner rounded off a superb night for the Blues.