Linfield striker Matthew Fitzpatrick said that their 3-0 win against Bangor "probably flattered" his side.

The Blues moved up to third in the Irish Premiership table after goals from Fitzpatrick, Kieran Offord and Chris McKee secured the three points at Clandeboye Park.

And whilst Fitzpatrick was delighted with their ruthlessness, he also praised his side's defensive effort.

"The 3-0 probably flatters us a bit, we had three good goals, but there was a stage in the second half for 20-25 minutes that Bangor were in our box, but defensively we did really well," he told BBC Sport NI.

"The timings of the goals settled us a lot and second half we were able to defend. We got a lot of first and second contacts on the ball and we saw those periods out and scored a great goal from Chris McKee to seal it at the end."

Fitzpatrick also said he was "happy" with his goal as he lifted the ball over Gareth Deane to open the scoring on 14 minutes after getting on the end of Jamie Mulgrew's pass.

"Jamie had peeled off in midfield and I had peeled wide, he played a great ball through to me, I had time, took a touch, the keeper rushed out, and I just lifted it over him at his near post, so it was a good finish," he added.

Mulgrew returned to Linfield's starting side in place of the injured Chris Shields, who will be out for an extended period of time after suffering a serious knee injury against Glenavon.

Fitzpatrick said his teammates were devastated to learn that the midfield will be out for a while.

"We're gutted for Shieldsy, he's such a big player for us and for him to get an injury like that, it is hard to take for us," he said.

"There's two ways to look at it. We've got a big squad and lots of great players that will cover for him, but at the same time knowing Shieldsy, the character he is and how important he is to us, he'll get his head down and work really hard to come back sooner rather than later."

Image source, Inpho

Linfield registered their first away victory of the season as they defeated Bangor 3-0 at Clandeboye Park to move into third place in the Irish Premiership table.

Matthew Fitzpatrick's effort gave the away side an early lead after good work from Isaac Baird and Jamie Mulgrew in the build-up.

Kieran Offord headed home to extend their advantage on 28 minutes before, in the final seconds of the game, Chris McKee netted his first goal of the campaign.

On their previous league away days, they drew with Glentoran at the Oval and were defeated by Ballymena United at Ballymena Showgrounds.

Read more here.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of today's five Irish Premiership games.

In what looks to be on paper the most exciting game of the day, leaders Glentoran welcome in-form Larne to the Oval looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Coleraine take on Carrick Rangers, looking to bounce back from their defeat against the Glens that ended their good run.

Cliftonville and Portadown will both hope to put disappointing defeats last week behind them when they meet at Solitude.

Elsewhere, winless Glenavon, in desperate need of points host Crusaders and Ballymena United take on Dungannon Swifts at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

As always we will have our usual blend of radio and text updates as well as in-play clips so you don't miss any of the action.

Enjoy!

Image source, Inpho