Linfield leapfrog Coleraine at top of the league table
Coleraine replaced at top of Premiership following demoralising defeat at Windsor Park
Linfield leapfrogged long time league leaders Coleraine with a comfortable 3-0 win over the Bannsiders at Windsor Park on Saturday evening.
The home side went in front three minutes before half-time thanks to Rhys Brennan and doubled their lead shortly after the break through Adam Frizzell.
And the points were secured with just under 20 minutes remaining when Kitt Nelson scored a fine individual effort to make it 3-0 to David Healy’s side.
It had all looked so promising in the opening exchanges for the visitors who dominated possession and could have gone in front only for Chris Johns to produce a fine save to deny Joel Cooper.
But defensive frailties proved their undoing in the closing stages of the first half as an alert Rhys Brennan nipped in front of his marker to score from close range.
It was a real body blow to the visitors who were again caught out just eight minutes after the restart.
A Coleraine move broke down inside the opposition half, allowing Linfield to transfer the ball quickly upfield to the unmarked Adam Frizzell who fired low past Lewis Webb for his team’s second.
And any hope of a comeback was extinguished after 73 minutes when Kitt Nelson waltzed his way through the Coleraine defence before planting the ball past Webb and into the net.
Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins rang the changes, introducing all five subs - four at one time - but they made little impact, the game over long before the final whistle.
It’s the second heavy defeat in a matter of months for Coleraine at the hands of Linfield, who now assume top spot in the Boyle Sports Premiership.
Indeed, the only two defeats Coleraine have suffered this season have been at the hands of the Windsor Park outfit who, again, showed why they remain serious contenders to claim yet another league title.
Written off by many observers before a ball was kicked and again after suffering an opening day defeat to Ballymena United at home they have since gone unbeaten and prove that there is no substitute for experience.
The experience that comes with winning titles, of knowing how to get over the line in games.
What’s even more concerning is Blues boss David Healy hinting afterwards that he feels there is more to come from his group.
As for opposite number Ruaidhri Higgins?
He admitted that’s it’s a time for reflection and some soul searching, for the group, yes, but critically for himself as head coach.
The saving grace? It’s 15 games into a 38 game season.
Time yet to take some lessons on board.