DAVID HEALY: '˜When you do play your rivals you put a marker down and we looked big and strong'

Jamie Mulgrew fires home Linfield's second goal towards victory over Crusaders at Seaview.

The third game of any league campaign can never offer a true measure of a team's title credentials but Saturday's meeting between the past two champions certainly raised some intriguing questions.

Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter was left to reflect on how his defending champions struggled to gain a sustained foothold in play with a performance lacking the cohesion and collective energy traditionally on show in high-profile battles.

The diminishing returns due to the absence of some key names will also serve as cause for concern.

In contrast, Linfield manager David Healy was happy to highligght the value beyond the points return enjoyed by such an assured display that suggested the frailties in mind and body of last season have been enhanced.

“It was a good performance, we were solid from back to front, down here at Seaview you will always be tested given the opposition,” said Healy. “It’s about improving week on week for us.

“I’ve no doubt Crusaders will be there come the end of the season.

“Crusaders have been the stand-out in this country for the past three or four years.

“It’s a mentality now, we weren’t bullied, Crusaders ran over the top of us make no bones about it last year in most of the games, on the flip side the year before we were stronger.

“When you do play your rivals you put a marker down and we looked big and strong.

“That’s more pleasing than the three points, away from home is always a test of character, you need to be bang on it and we’d no-one off it today.

“We were very professional and solid, we will get fitter and stronger off a slower season build-up.