Euan East’s vital strike at Seaview sends Linfield four points clear

Crusaders 0 Linfield 1

Linfield's Euan East scored the only goal of the game at Seaview

Defender Euan East hit a priceless winner against Crusaders at Seaview to send Linfield four points clear in the league table.

It was the latest in an impressive sequence of results that suggests that Healy’s men are determined to bring the Sports Direct Premiership title back to south Belfast after Larne gate crashed the party by depriving the Blues of their fifth successive triumph last season.

Former Queen of the South man East ensured it would be another good night at the office for Linfield, who are now unbeaten in seven games.

The result also well and truly snuffed out any lingering hopes of Stephen Baxter’s men making a late title challenge – their championship chances zapped for another season as they are now a whopping 18 points adrift of the leaders.

Linfield goalkeeper Chris Johns comes through a crowded area to catch the ball

Both sides approached the game in the best possible state, the Blues enjoying a Festive win against Big Two rivals Glentoran, before holding the title holders to a draw in east Antrim at the weekend.

Although the Crues toasted a home win over Carrick Rangers on Saturday, incredibly it was the first three points won in front of home fans since October 13 when beating struggling Ballymena United.

The victory over Stuart King’s side ended a dreadful run of form on the Shore Road that resulted in defeats to Coleraine and Larne, while Glentoran and Newry City left with a point - the agony continued.

Healy’s well-documented injury problems meant he was again without a number of his big hitters, but he welcomed back skipper Jamie Mulgrew after suspension – he replaced Michael Newberry.

Crusaders also made