CLINCIAL BLUES STRETCH LEAD
League leaders Linfield swept to a two-goal defeat of Crusaders at Windsor Park to move three points clear at the summit.
The Blues needed just ten minutes to seize the advantage after Joel Cooper created space for himself just outside the box before sending a left-footed effort past keeper Jonny Tuffey, albeit via a deflection.
And David Healy's side doubled their advantage midway through the first half with Cooper turning provider to send a cross into the box for Matthew Fitzpatrick to nod home.
Fitzpatrick might have doubled his tally before the break but his right foot effort was well saved after Tuffey reacted quickly to turn the ball around the post.
Ben Kennedy might have pulled one back for the Crues after the break when, following a period of sustained pressure, he was teed up by Jarlath O'Rourke only to strike the post from inside the box.
At the other end Tuffey was called into action to thwart substitute Darragh McBrien at the near post with a fine reaction save.
Linfield: Johns, Finlayson, East, Shields, McClean, Cooper, Hall, Clarke, McKee, Fallon, Fitzpatrick subs Walsh, Newberry, Millar, McBrien, Robertson, McKay, Archer
Crusaders: Tuffey, Burns, Weir, Lowry, Kennedy, O'Rourke, Larmour, Heatley, McKeown, Clarke, Anderson subs Williamson, Lecky, Teelan, Kennedy, Smith, Robinson, James
