Highlights: Linfield 1-0 Cliftonville

Paul Kelly
BBC Sport NI contributor

Linfield inflicted a first defeat of the season on Cliftonville in a closely fought affair at Windsor Park.

Ethan McGee's header 10 minutes after the restart was enough to secure back-to-back wins for David Healy's side in south Belfast.

Joe Gormley came closest to levelling for the visitors late in the second half, who couldn't find a way past the resolute Linfield defence.

The Blues travel to Limavady next weekend with the Reds facing Dungannon Swifts at Solitude.

McGee header secures back-to-back league wins for Blues

Ethan McGee celebrates scoring a goalPacemaker

Ethan McGee scored the only goal of the game

In a first half of very few chances, it was Linfield who came closest to breaking the deadlock.

Dane McCullough's deep cross from the left was cleared by Kyle McClelland as far as Kirk Millar on the edge of the box, who curled a half-volley that Peter Morrison was equal to as he tipped the ball around the left-hand post.

Minutes later, Kieran Offord almost caught Morrison out who took too long to get rid of the ball, but was unable to hang on to it.

The Blues upped the intensity early in the second half and got their reward 10 minutes after the restart as McGee rose highest to head home Adam Frizzell's corner from the right-hand side.

Cliftonville came close to levelling 10 minutes later through Liam McStravick, whose right-footed strike wasn't far away.

Substitute Joe Gormley went close to finding the bottom corner late on for the Reds, but couldn't keep his strike on target.

Kobei Moore had the chance to put the icing on the cake in injury time but couldn't find a way past Morrison who stood strong.

What the managers said

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton: "We concede from a set piece which is one of their strengths. We did ok up to that point.

"It's a poor goal to concede. It's a cardinal sin and you don't allow that to happen, even though the wasn't an awful lot in the game.

"Neither goalkeeper really got worked. It's a game you don't lose through poor marking."

Linfield assistant coach Ross Oliver: "It was a good win for us. It's always important to get three points on the board at the start of the season and last week as well.

"The first half was a bit cagey from both teams. There was a lot of possession for them and a lot of possession for us without testing either goalkeeper.

"The second half became a bit more to and fro. We started the second half well and we got our goal in that period of play."