Linfield recorded their biggest League victory of the season so far with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Crusaders at Windsor Park this afternoon, as David Healy’s men extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches.
It was the 200th League meeting between Linfield and Crusaders, with the Blues recording a 113th win and making it five consecutive victories over the Shore Road outfit. December 30 will mark eight years since the Crues’ last League win over Linfield at Windsor Park. The Blues are unbeaten in 15 League meetings (11 W, 4 D) between the teams since that match.
The Blues put in a strong performance and scored at good times to put the game beyond the new-look, youthful Crusaders team. The Linfield team featured one change from last week’s goalless draw away to Larne, as Jamie Mulgrew made his first start since the night he got injured at Portadown in mid-October, replacing Sean Brown in the starting eleven.
It was an open match from the off, with Isaac Baird’s header drawing a save from Crusaders ‘keeper Tuffey inside the opening minute. The Blues then took an early lead in the fifth minute when Kirk Millar’s tantalising corner delivery from the left was turned in by Crusaders defender Lewis Barr for an own goal.
Minutes later, another Linfield corner spelled danger for Crusaders as Millar’s deep corner was headed back into the goalmouth area by Sam Roscoe before the Crues scrambled the ball out. In the midst of that, Matthew Fitzpatrick had a penalty appeal waved away when he felt he was being held illegally by a defender.
The Crues mustered up some dangerous quick breaks in the early stages. They came close after 15 minutes when Adam Brooks broke down the left and squared it for Fraser Bryden, but Chris Johns was equal to it with a good save down low to his right. Brooks himself had a chance after breaking down the left, but Roscoe made an important block, and O’Rourke also struck a free-kick in a dangerous area 20 yards from goal, but it struck the wall and went for a corner which was cleared.
The lively Callumn Morrison was unlucky not to double the Blues’ lead on 18 minutes as his close range shot was deflected wide, but the two-goal cushion arrived for the champions on 21 minutes when a patient Linfield move ended with Ethan McGee swinging in a pinpoint cross for Matthew Fitzpatrick who rose well to head the ball across the ‘keeper and into the corner of the net for his 11th goal of the season.
The Blues had opportunities to further their lead before the break. A neat move saw McClean get the ball on the right, finding Fitzpatrick inside and the forward moved the ball on with a deft touch for Isaac Baird whose 20-yard strike went just over.
Fitzpatrick went close with another header before the break, getting good contact on Kirk Millar’s corner delivery, but his effort at close range was well saved by Tuffey who palmed the ball away.
Kirk Millar’s set-piece deliveries caused Crusaders significant problems this afternoon, and he certainly caused Crues ‘keeper Tuffey an awkward moment at the end of the first half. The winger looked poised to cross, but almost found the net. Tuffey backtracked and managed to keep the ball out, but was somewhat fortunate that no Linfield player was following in when he initially dropped the ball.
HT: LINFIELD 2-0 CRUSADERS
The Blues started the second half strongly and, after going close as Sam Roscoe’s header flashed just wide of the far post from Kirk Millar’s corner delivery, the valuable third goal arrived five minutes after the break to essentially kill the game as a contest.
Effective hold-up play from Matthew Fitzpatrick followed by a lay-off to Kyle McClean created space, then McClean slid a precise ball through to Callumn Morrison who slid the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper at close range. It was the Scotsman’s ninth goal of the season, but his first in the League.
Morrison went close again minutes later when he looked favourite to get on the end of Isaac Baird’s through ball, but at full stretch he was denied by the onrushing Tuffey who did well. Both players collided but were both able to shake off the impact.
Former Linfield ‘keeper Tuffey made another great save when Isaac Baird turned and struck one sweetly after Crusaders couldn’t clear Kirk Millar’s corner delivery. It would have been a deserved goal for Baird who picked up the Man of the Match award for an influential performance in which he covered every blade of grass.
The Blues then added a fourth in the 71st minute. It came from a quick break, just seconds after Johns saved Bryden’s header from a Crusaders corner. Callumn Morrison broke through and showed great composure to round the goalkeeper and slot in to enter double figures for the season.
The Scotsman had a chance to make it a hat-trick ten minutes later, but he had a penalty well saved by Tuffey after Isaac Baird had been fouled by Josh Williamson. Paul Munster remains the last player to score a hat-trick in this fixture, doing so for the Blues in a 4-1 win at Seaview in October 2009.
Spanish midfielder Alex Gorrin made his first appearance since March after a long period out inured.
Linfield had a late penalty appeal rejected on 89 minutes when Charlie Allen went down after Dane McCullough’s through ball put him through on goal, but after hitting the ground after a challenge from the goalkeeper, a goalkick was the outcome.
Chris Johns made another smart save late in stoppage time to preserve the Blues’ clean sheet, getting down low to deny a shot from Finley Thorndike. It’s the Blues’ 14th clean sheet of the season, and their 9th at home.
Results elsewhere mean the Blues remain in third place, but increase the gap over fourth-place Glentoran to four points. The Blues are seven points behind leaders Coleraine but have three matches in hand. Larne are second, also seven points ahead of the Blues, but have only played one more game than the Blues.
Next up for the champions is a trip to Lurgan to face Glenavon at Mourneview Park next Saturday (15:00).
FT: LINFIELD 4-0 CRUSADERS
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match: Isaac Baird
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee, Ben Hall, Sam Roscoe, Dane McCullough, Isaac Baird (Jon Graham 81’), Jamie Mulgrew © (Josh Archer 60’), Kyle McClean (Alex Gorrin 73’), Kirk Millar (Charlie Allen 73’), Callumn Morrison, Matthew Fitzpatrick (Sam Taylor 81’)
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown
CRUSADERS: Jonathan Tuffey (GK), Kurtis Forsythe (Oilibhear McCart 70’), Evan Easton, Lewis Barr (Ross Clarke 45’), Jarlath O’Rourke ©, Brendan Hamilton, Josh Williamson (Ryan Donnelly 84’), Lloyd Anderson (Elliot Dunlop 45’), Finley Thorndike, Adam Brooks (Matthew Beattie 84’), Fraser Bryden
Unused subs: Musa Dibaga Nimaja (GK), Jordan Forsythe
Referee: Steven Gregg
Yellow cards: Evan Easton, Josh Williamson & Jarlath O’Rourke (Crusaders), Matthew Fitzpatrick (Linfield)