Super Cooper and Reds revival - Premiership talking points

Pat Hoban was on target for Glentoran on his first league start against Ballymena

The latest programme of matches in the Irish Premiership was one for the traditionalists as all six matches were played on Saturday afternoon with 15:00 BST kick-offs.

Results went mostly to the formbook as leaders Glentoran maintained their unbeaten run to stay three points clear at the summit, while Linfield made it three wins from three by overcoming Portadown at Windsor Park.

Coleraine ran out convincing victors at Crusaders and Larne proved too strong for Bangor at Clandeboye Park.

Cliftonville ended Carrick Rangers' unbeaten start to the campaign and Dungannon Swifts got their season up and running by seeing off Glenavon.

Here are some takeaways from the weekend's games.

Super from Cooper

New season. New club. Same Joel Cooper.

Coleraine's star summer signing again proved his worth as a first-half double set the Bannsiders on their way to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over struggling Crusaders.

A powerful left-foot shot, then a neat finish after a clever free-kick routine, put Ruaidhri Higgins' side firmly in control as the former Linfield player backed up his match-winning strike against Larne on the opening day with another crucial contribution.

A longer-established Ballycastle Road favourite in the form of the league's joint top scorer last term, Matthew Shevlin, also got his name on the scoresheet, with Declan McManus adding the coup de grace.

A fourth clean sheet in five league games also marks out Coleraine as likely title contenders.

"We're delighted. We're enjoying our football and it's a fantastic return from our first five games but we're only getting going, we're only starting," enthused Higgins.

"I can't speak highly enough of the group. My gut feeling is they could possibly be the best dressing room in terms of characters and personalities that I've had."

Joel Cooper celebrates one of his two goals against Crusaders

Matthew 'Fitz' the bill for Linfield

Kieran Offord may have grabbed most of the headlines for his goalscoring exploits for Linfield in the early part of the season, but it was a familiar name and a summer signing whose goals helped the champions to a 3-0 win over Portadown.

After a goalless first half, Sam Taylor was on hand to score the opener at the far post after meeting a cross from another of David Healy's summer acquisitions, Sean Brown.

Matthew Fitzpatrick stepped up to give the Blues a more comfortable cushion by adding the next two, albeit his first was marred by some controversy as to whether the ball crossed the line.

Three wins from three represents an ominous start for those trying to overhaul the holders and it sets up nicely Friday's first 'Big Two' encounter of the season against cross-city rivals Glentoran at the Oval on Friday night, a match you can watch live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Here's Hoban...

Pat Hoban's move from Derry City to Glentoran was one of the most eye-catching signings of the summer transfer window and after overcoming injury, the addition of the striker is already paying dividends for the east Belfast outfit.

The 34-year-old followed up his double against Ards in the County Antrim Shield in midweek by heading home the first in his team's 2-0 win at Ballymena.

It was a game that Declan Devine's charges bossed and Jordan Jenkins' third of the season offered some welcome breathing space for the visitors to Warden Street.

Having finished as the League of Ireland's top scorer four times during his career, there is no doubting Hoban's pedigree and Glens fans will hope he can prove a vital part of helping their side sustain a title challenge.

Those ambitions will be severely tested in the coming weeks with matches against Linfield, Coleraine, Larne and Cliftonville to come next.

Reds revival continues after eventful week

It's been an eventful week off the pitch at Cliftonville as the north Belfast club revealed that there were "clear gaps and outstanding issues to be resolved" in an update about their proposed takeover by the Toronto Investment Group.

Cliftonville held an extraordinary general meeting with members about the takeover on Monday and it is hoped that progress on the investment can continue to be made.

That was followed by news on Friday that manager Jim Magilton and assistant Kieran Harding had agreed three-year extensions to their contracts to remain at the club until 2028.

The players responded positively to that news on Saturday as after a winless first four league games, they made it back-to-back victories in the top division by defeating previously unbeaten Carrick Rangers 2-1.

That followed hot on the heels of the midweek County Antrim Shield first-round success over derby rivals Crusaders.

Things are looking up for the club on the pitch then, as they aim to ensure that they do not finish outside the top six for a second successive season.

Crisis at Crues?

Much to ponder for Declan Caddell after his side were outplayed by Coleraine

It's maybe too early to talk of a crisis at Seaview but a record of four defeats from their opening five outings is certainly not the start supporters of the north Belfast club would have wanted and the warning signals are already flashing.

Defensive errors continue to plague Declan Caddell's side, with their 13 goals conceded representing the most goals shipped by any side in the top flight, along with Dungannon Swifts, who have played one game less.

Once regarded as their fortress, the Crues have lost all three of their home fixtures to date and at this early stage are precariously perched just above the drop zone in 10th spot.

Important games against fellow strugglers Swifts and Glenavon are among those that loom large over the next few weeks as the north Belfast team aim to turn the tide and resurrect their fortunes.

"We have to strip it back. It hasn't been a good start for us. We're leaking goals so we have to stop that and plan for going forward," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

Swifts win basement 'six-pointer'

Relief for Dungannon Swifts, the agony goes on for Glenavon, as Rodney McAree's men emerged 2-0 victors from the 'six-pointer' involving the league's two bottom clubs at Mourneview Park.

Goals from Thomas Maguire and Kealan Dillon proved enough to earn the hosts their first win - and points - of the season, while Paddy McLaughlin's side were left to lick their wounds again after coming out on the wrong end of the scoreline, and to add insult to injury, having Harry Murphy and Barney McKeown sent off.

The Lurgan Blues have now won just two of their past 15 league games and will look to turn the corner quickly to avoid a gap opening up at the foot of the table.

With Larne and Linfield their opponents in their next two matches, that may be no easy task.

"The first five games of the season have been hard, it's been a difficult period, so to come here and pick up three points is pleasing," said McAree after the game.