Ace predator Andy Waterworth dined out on FOUR goals as Linfield marched nine points clear at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
Defender Jimmy Callacher was also on target with a trademark set-piece header as the Blues ran riot against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
Victory eased David Healy’s men nine clear although second placed Ballymena United can cut the gap at home to Warrenpoint Town on Saturday afternoon.
Larne vs Huddersfield Town tickets as friendly match is announced for March 30
Man of the match Waterworth said: “We’ve maybe been a bit off colour of late but we really clicked tonight and it was an important win.
“That’s probably the best we have played in the last month or two and we took the game by the scruff of the neck.
“When you’re a striker you thrive off good delivery into the box and thankfully I was able to capitalise on that tonight.”
In the absence of regular keeper Alex Moore, prohibited from playing against his parent club, Evan Moran was making only his third appearance for the Swifts.
'Stumbling' Linfield are doing fine by me insists Healy as Blues stretch nine points clear
And the former Bray Wanderers shot stopper was picking the ball out of the net seven minutes in when Jordan Stewart wriggled free to cross for Waterworth to head home.
It was 2-0 four minutes later when the same double act combined to round off a slick move.
Andy Mitchell released Stewart with a perfectly weighted pass and with just Moran to beat, he unselfishly squared for Waterworth to roll the ball into the empty net.
It was one way traffic and 3-0 in the 25th minute when Callacher rose at the back post to head a Mitchell free-kick past Moran for his 10th goal of the season.
Crusaders Co Antrim Shield victory just the tonic for Jordan Forsythe
Waterworth completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute when he forced the ball home after a period of pinball inside the Swifts penalty area.
And he made it 5-0 with his fourth goal of the night - and his 28th of the season - when Daniel Kearns whipped an inviting ball across goal for the striker to fire home.
Waterworth, now with 152 goals in 262 games for Linfield, received a well deserved standing ovation when he was replaced 15 minutes from time.
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
