Irish Premiership: Linfield beat Crues 1-0 to move four points clear at top

Linfield extended their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership to four points after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Crusaders.

The victory enabled Linfield to stretch their advantage over champions Larne with both teams now having played the same number of games.

Crusaders remain in fourth, 10 points behind third-placed Cliftonville.

It was the first Premiership action of 2024 with the fixture initially being postponed in November due to international call-ups.

It took the best part of 20 minutes for the first clear-cut opening as Ross Clarke’s corner was only half-cleared to Paul Heatley on the edge of the penalty area.

The winger fired a low shot through a ruck of players but Chris Johns got down to his right to make a smart reflex save and turn the ball around the base of the post.

Linfield’s first chance came on the half-hour mark when a short corner was eventually delivered in by Matthew Clarke.

Crues keeper Jonny Tuffey half-cleared with Kirk Millar firing the loose ball towards goal but Josh Robinson was on hand to clear off the line.

Linfield struck the decisive blow seconds before the break – Clarke’s corner pinballed around the Crusaders penalty area and defender East kept his cool to swivel and fire home a low shot from six yards.

A scrappy second half saw little by way of clear-cut chances with East missing a chance to double his and Linfield’s advantage when he volleyed over from another corner in the closing minutes.