Linfield go top as Glentoran edge Cliftonville

Chris Shields was on target for Linfield from the penalty spot

Linfield secured an impressive 3-1 away victory over Coleraine to go top of the Irish Premiership table.

Glentoran edged Cliftonville 1-0 to go third and Larne jumped to fourth with a 4-0 home win over Newry City.

Ten-man Ballymena United have now lost all six of their opening league games after a 1-0 defeat by Glenavon.

Saturday's five Irish Premiership matches came after Carrick Rangers secured a last-gasp 2-1 win over Dungannon Swifts on Friday night.

At Ballycastle Road, Kyle McClean fired Linfield in front with a well-taken goal in the 13th minute before Jamie Glackin headed the home side level eight minutes after the restart.

However, second half goals from Chris Shields from the penalty spot and a close-range finish from the in-form Chris McKee secured the points.

Slack defending early in the opening period allowed McClean to stride through and plant his shot past Gareth Deane inside the opening quarter of an hour.

It remained 1-0 until the 53rd minute when Glackin headed home a David McDaid cross from almost on the goal line.

However, any hopes of a Coleraine comeback were ended when Shields sent Deane the wrong way from the spot in the 64th minute after Lyndon Kane had fouled Joel Cooper.

And it was Cooper with the assist in the 72nd minute, setting up McKee with the easiest of chances at the back post.

Blues boss David Healy, watching from the stand because of suspension, will have been delighted with the performance of his team.

Less so his opposite number Oran Kearney whose side have now failed to win in their last four games.

More to follow.