Lavery’s double blasts Blues six points clear at summit
■ Mulgrew hails title statement after Linfield floor Larne in Windsor showdown
A SHAYNE Lavery masterclass against Larne ensured Danske Bank Premiership champions Linfield got their title defence back on track last night.
The Northern Ireland international bagged a double in a 2-1 win at Windsor Park to fire the Blues six points clear of the second-placed Invermen.
Linfield suffered a last-gasp loss to Big Two rivals Glentoran on Tuesday but they hit back in style.
Jeff Hughes scored late on for the visitors but David Healy’s side sealed a deserved victory.
Linfield skipper Jamie Mulgrew said: “It’s a massive three points, coming after our disappointing results and the criticism which is fair because we haven’t reached the levels we should.
“We needed to get back on the horse and make a statement.
“Larne are challengers and we knew how difficult this game would be. They have a strong squad but we got the result to stay on top of the league.
“Shayne has been hard on himself but you can never criticise his workrate and I’m delighted he got two goals.”
Healy said: “I’m pleased and proud. The players kept going and deserve huge credit, especially after the loss against Glentoran.
“Physically, the players were immense. Shayne was excellent, I’m a big fan of his and he’s still learning.”
Lavery blasted the Blues in front from the penalty spot on 29 minutes after Dean Jarvis had chopped down the front man with a reckless challenge.
Linfield felt they should have been awarded another spot-kick after Fuad Sule crashed into Joel Cooper.
In an entertaining first half, both keepers were tested with Chris Johns denying Dylan Mottley-henry and Ronan Hale while Conor Devlin foiled Kirk Millar.
Larne’s challenge faded in the second half and after Stephen Fallon missed a decent chance, Lavery lashed home his second on 73 minutes. Hughes netted a minute before the end of normal time but there was no fightback.
SHAYNE Lavery, take a bow. Just when Linfield needed it, the Northern Ireland striker came up with a match-winning performance to reassert their authority in the title race.
On Tuesday, the Blues were down after a dramatic injury-time defeat to Big Two rivals Glentoran. At Windsor Park, such are the demands and pressures, you have to raise yourself quickly and that’s what David Healy’s side did three days on against championship-chasing Larne.
In his post-match press conference following the derby loss, there was an inner steel about Healy. It was as if after a run of two points from three matches and only one goal scored in that time and Larne, Coleraine, Crusaders, Cliftonville and Glentoran closing in, Healy was welcoming the challenge. There was a ‘Bring it on’ attitude.
Healy’s players, none more so than Lavery, brought it onto the pitch last night.
The Northern Ireland striker was sharp all evening and was rewarded with a penalty in the first half and fine finish in the second.
Larne skipper Jeff Hughes netted in the dying moments but it was too little, too late for the Inver Park outfit who now find themselves six points behind leaders Linfield following Lavery’s double.
While Lavery stole the show with his goals, Linfield had heroes all over the field with Conor Pepper exceptional from rightback, Kyle Mcclean impressive in midfield and Joel Cooper a constant threat in attack.
As for Larne, they had a strong spell at the end of the first half but it was another match to forget for them. They are becoming too frequent. Tiernan Lynch’s side have won just twice in 2021 and could drop from second to fourth today if both Coleraine and Crusaders win.
The visitors had a fantastic chance to take an early lead after a rare mistake from Jimmy Callacher, who gave the ball away and then allowed Lee Lynch to dance past him. He sent deadline day signing Dylan Mottley-henry clear.
In a glorious position to open his Larne account, he allowed Chris Johns to make an important save. At the other end, Kirk Millar warmed the hands of Conor Devlin from a tight angle after a clever Pepper pass.
It was a technical, tactical battle with opportunities at a premium until a break of the ball helped the Blues move ahead in the 29th minute.
The Linfield motto states ‘fortune favours the brave’ and Lavery could say he was alive to the ricochet from the middle of the park that ended up in the Larne box and saw him brought down after beating Dean Jarvis to the punch.
It was an easy penalty call for referee Jamie Robinson to make and after picking himself up, Northern Ireland front man Lavery calmly slotted home.
Jarvis thought he had made up for giving a spot-kick away with a wicked cross which none of the Larne forwards could convert and then Ronan Hale and Lee
Lynch were denied by Johns and a Matthew Clarke block respectively as Tiernan Lynch’s team stormed forward.
In what was fast becoming a compelling encounter, Linfield felt they should have had another penalty just before the break when Fuad Sule barged into Cooper in the box but Robinson waved appeals away.
Cooper was involved moments into the second half as he set up Stephen Fallon, who struck wide from close range after a wonderful passing move which started with goalkeeper Johns.
On 73 minutes came the decisive goal with Pepper streaking forward and crossing into the box and when Tomas Cosgrove’s attempted clearance hit Fallon and rebounded into Lavery’s path, he made no mistake whatsoever.
The Hughes goal in the 89th minute offered Larne hope but nothing else. This was Linfield’s evening. They showed what champions are all about and remain the team to beat in the title race.
LINFIELD: Johns, Haughey, Callacher, Millar, Lavery (Waterworth 76), Clarke, Mcclean, Fallon (Palmer 86), Mulgrew, Pepper, Cooper. Subs not used: Moore, Newberry, Stewart, Nasseri, Quinn.
LARNE: Devlin, Watson, Robinson, Sule, Hale (Mckendry 79), Mcdaid (Mcmurray 66), Lynch, Mottley-henry (Randall 57), Cosgrove, Hughes, Jarvis. Subs not used: Mitchell, Kelly, Mitchell, Slater.
Referee: Jamie Robinson
Man of the match: Shayne Lavery
Match rating: 7/10