What a busy, high scoring day it proved to be in the Danske Bank Premiership! The top four all won, 23 goals were scored and there were some major statement results recorded.

Leaders Larne remain unbeaten and a point clear at the top with a hugely significant 4-2 defeat of champions Linfield at Windsor Park. Tiernan Lynch’s side raced into a two goal lead inside the opening ten minutes when Ben Doherty converted from the spot and Paul O’Neill found the net from a Lee Bonis lay-off.

Linfield pulled one back just before the break after Cameron Palmer turned in Kirk Millar’s cross but rather than spark a second half response Larne restored their two-goal cushion with a Bonis finish on the hour and a fourth from Leroy Millar ten minutes after that.

Ethan Devine knocked home his compulsory late goal for the Blues but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

Glentoran, in second, are also unbeaten but had to be content with an early Conor McMenamin strike past Steven Maguire to secure the points away to Newry City.

Two early Rory Hale goals set Cliftonville up to beat Coleraine 4-2 at The Showgrounds. He struck after six minutes with a low 25-yard drive past Gareth Deane before following up moments later with a right-foot finish.

Conor McKendry halved the deficit in the final throes of the first half but Ryan Curran put the Reds back in the driving seat on 62 minutes. Matthew Shevlin then closed the gap again with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining before Joe Gormley headed home Cliftonville’s fourth right at the end.

Crusaders also hit four as they swept past Portadown at Seaview. Adam Lecky broke the deadlock with a looping header on 20 minutes, with McCauley Snelgrove doubling up just after the half-hour mark.

Lecky then bagged his second not long after the break from the spot before Jude Winchester found the net on 51 minutes to complete the scoring.

And there was another high scoring encounter as Glenavon got past Carrick Rangers at Mourneview Park. Matthew Fitzpatrick hammered home the opener on 13 minutes but Andy Mitchell hit a wonder goal just a couple of minutes later.

Eoin Bradley restored Glenavon’s lead with around half-an-hour on the clock, although the visitors levelled again courtesy of Lloyd Anderson early in the second half. But two late goals from Jack Malone and Matthew Snoddy saw Gary Hamilton’s side come out on top.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, Dungannon Swifts and Ballymena United battled to a 1-1 draw at Stangmore Park. Michael O’Connor edged the Swifts in front midway through the first half but this was cancelled out by a David McDaid strike a few minutes after that.