Danske Bank Premiership: Linfield 4 Dungannon Swifts 0
ASSISTANT boss Ross Oliver hailed the performance of midfielder Cammy Palmer as Linfield blasted their way back into Danske Bank Premiership title race with this demolition of Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.
The 22-year-old former Rangers man not only run the show in the middle of the park, but he helped himself to one of the goals as David Healy’s turned up the heat by moving to within five points of Larne at the top of the League table.
Chris McKee, Eetu Vertainen and substitute Liam McStravick – he signed his first professional contract last week – also got in on the scoring stakes against Dean Shiels’ side, who failed to muster a shot on target over the 90 minutes.
Their day was compounded in the dying seconds when defender Caolan Marron was dismissed for a needless foul on Matty Clarke – a red card that rules him out of the Boxing Day game against Newry City.
In contrast, the win sets up Linfield for their big Festive showdown with Glentoran – the success masterminded by Palmer.
“Cammy had a bad injury last season that required surgery, he was out for quite a while,” said Oliver, who recently completed his UEFA Pro License.
“He worked hard to get back to where he is.
“He’s another player that is benefitting from a consistent run of games. You know what you are going to get from Cammy, his performances have been top drawer. His work rate from box to box is immense.”
Oliver also hailed the display of his team, adding: “We managed the game well; we bossed things all over the pitch... and we scored some good goals, which was pleasing.
“It’s been a difficult period, from the European campaign at the start of the season. We had a wobble after that, but the boys have shown character, they always do.
“Momentum is a big thing in football, and we’ve got a bit of it going for us now. But it’s only three points, no one will be getting carried away. Our focus now turns to the Boxing Day game at Glentoran.”
Dungannon boss Dean Shiels admitted his boys just had no answer to the high-flying Blues.
“They are the best team we have played by a mile,” he said. “We have played the top six teams twice and they are the best.
“Linfield had a poor run by their own high standards earlier in the season, but I don’t think anyone with any football intelligence would ever rule Linfield out (of the title race).
“They are such a threat with match-winners all over the pitch. I admit, we just couldn’t handle (Joel) Cooper out there. Cooper and Vertainen were just too much for us."
LINFIELD: Johns, Pepper, Callacher, Roscoe, Clarke, Mulgrew (McStravick 66), Shields, Palmer, Cooper (McClean 66), McKee (Stewart 77), Vertainen (Devine 77).
Unused subs: Walsh, Newberry, Finlayson.
DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Dunne, McGee (McGinty 71), Marron, Animasahun, Ruddy, Mayse, Knowles, O’Connor (Gallagher 46), Bruna (S Scott 58), Walsh, Campbell (Cushnie 71).
Unused subs: Nelson, J Scott, Lynch.
REFEREE: Shane Andrews.
