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2022 got off to the best possible start for Linfield as the champions recorded an emphatic 6-1 win over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park with six different goalscorers stepping up to the plate in the absence of top goalscorer Christy Manzinga who missed out through injury.

The New Year started with fireworks as four goals came in the opening 15 minutes. Kirk Millar put Linfield ahead after just one minute and 23 seconds and what a way to kick off 2022 as the winger netted a stunning goal. Clarke passed to the winger who was to the left, at least 20 yards from goal as he wrapped his foot around it and curled a top quality strike. It was so much in the top corner that the ball hit the stanchion of the goal and bounced out again.

Millar’s joy was short lived however, as Dungannon Swifts levelled within a minute. The remarkably quick Darragh McBrien burst off the left wing and his speed took him through on goal and the finish was equally impressive as he coolly found the bottom right corner from just inside the box.

Sam Roscoe threatened to restore Linfield’s lead when his glancing header from a Kirk Millar free-kick delivery flashed just wide. Chris Shields then did find the net to put the Blues back in front and it was another brilliant strike as he put his laces through it to score a piledriver from 25 yards. Unfortunately, Shields’ afternoon only lasted 45 minutes after he picked up a knock towards the end of the first half and he was replaced by Kyle McClean.

It was 3-1 to the champions after 13 minutes when the evergreen Jamie Mulgrew – who controlled the game from the start – hung up a cross to the back post which was met by Jordan Stewart who challenged a defender aerially and he managed to do enough to force it just over the line off the inside of the post.

Dean Shiels’ men had a decent opportunity to make it 3-2 when midfielder Terry Devlin had the time and space to shoot on his left foot from the edge of the box, however Johns was equal to it as he saved down low to his left. The game then settled after around 20 minutes and Linfield took control.

Half Time: Dungannon Swifts 1-3 Linfield

Much-discussed full back Trai Hume had another great game for the champions and he scored for the second game in a row as he timed his run to perfection, getting on the end of Matthew Clarke’s corner delivery to head past Dungannon Swifts ‘keeper Michael Quinn – the son of Sunderland’s former striker Niall.

A few minutes later, there was almost a deserved goal for Jamie Mulgrew. The Linfield captain was on top of his game and it was a pity his effort didn’t find the net. Slipped in down the inside right channel darting into the box by Trai Hume, Mulgrew showed great footwork to beat a defender and looked to shape a shot into the far top corner with the outside of his right foot but it flashed just wide of the upright.

Andrew Clarke almost got in on the act as he was found by Sam Roscoe who did well to head a deep corner from Jordan Stewart back across goal but at close range the forward couldn’t get his header down and it went over the bar. Not long after, Dungannon’s Oisin Smyth curled a free-kick just wide of the post from a good position 20 yards out.

Michael Newberry then added a fifth for the Blues on 72 minutes. Half-time substitute Kyle McClean whipped in a glorious cross from a free-kick on the left near the halfway line and Michael Newberry clinically forced it home at the back post.

Kyle McClean drew a good save with a stinging shot from 25 yards before Dungannon had a great chance to net a consolation goal late on when the impressive McBrien cut in off the left and found the surging Coalan McAleer running in unmarked at the back post, but the winger fired over the bar on the stretch.

The Blues added a sixth goal at the death with a sixth different goalscorer as Kyle McClean’s corner was touched into the far corner by the shoulder of Ahmed Salam who’d been denied a minute prior when he felt his saved shot crossed the line when he followed up Matthew Clarke’s cross-come-shot which went over the ‘keeper and struck the inside of the post.

Linfield stay top, although Cliftonville won away to Glenavon and so the Reds remain two points behind with a game in hand (home to Crusaders on Tuesday). Glentoran came into the day only behind Linfield on goal difference but they were beaten by Larne and are now three points behind. The Blues take on Mid Ulster Intermediate A side Oxford Sunnyside in the Irish Cup next week, followed by the CAS final, before returning to league action the following week at home to Ballymena.

Full Time: Dungannon Swifts 1 – 6 Linfield

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1. David Healy : Our level of performance was good today