Cliftonville fell to their heaviest defeat of the Sports Direct Premiership season as Linfield took full advantage of a rare off night for Jim Magilton’s side.
Having seen Rhys Annett and Matthew Fitzpatrick pass up golden opportunities to break the deadlock during a first-half in which Sam Ashford and Rory Hale went closest for the Reds, the hosts were undone early in the second period when Kyle McClean netted after Annett had dispossessed Odhran Casey on the byline.
Cliftonville then saw two penalty appeals waved away by referee Lee Tavinder – who showed no interest neither when Ronan Hale was felled by Ethan McGee nor when Shea Gordon was bundled over by Chris Shields – before the Blues doubled their advantage with a Finlayson header from a corner kick.
Another set play provided the route for Chris McKee to make it 3-0 and, with the Blues going close to extending their lead a couple of times thereafter, the Reds were left to reflect on a poor and costly night at the office.