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Gareth Fullerton

Linfield striker Ethan Devine gives brilliant reaction to latest heroics

Ethan Devine described his latest heroics for Linfield as "parful" after scoring the winner in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Crusaders.

The 21-year-old striker has bagged four goals in nine Premiership appearances since joining Linfield from Knockbreda in the January transfer window.

He scored a vital equaliser against Cliftonville back in January, and three match winners in games against Crusaders (twice) and Warrenpoint Town.

Read more: Irish Premiership RECAP as Linfield and Cliftonville earn away wins

Those four goals have helped earn Linfield 10 points to keep them top of the table with just two games remaining.

Devine's latest intervention arrived on Tuesday night when he came off the bench to score the winner in a 2-1 victory over Crusaders at Seaview.

Reflecting on his goalscoring heroics - and more important another crucial win - Devine told Linfield TV: "Parful. It keeps us top of the league - it's surreal.

"I have said it before, you can't explain what it's like scoring like that there. It's surreal."

Tuesday's cool finish saw Devine slot under the body of Crusaders goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey from an acute angle after he was played in by Matthew Clarke.

It is the first goal he has scored with his feet, with his previous three all being dispatched with his head.

"I have finally scored a goal with my feet," he joked.

"The boys have been torturing me about it. It was a decent enough finish, just under the goalkeeper, I think.

"I'll take it.

"David (Healy) just said work hard and chase everything down, and if you get a chance take it. Which I did.

"I am enjoying the title race. We sort of slipped up against Glentoran with the draw but we have pulled it back here now and we will keep kicking on."

The Blues lead Cliftonville by just one point with two games left in this season's pulsating title race.

Next up it's a home clash with Larne this Saturday.

Devine added: "Hopefully there is a huge crowd at the game. The fans keep us going throughout the whole match, and they did it against Crusaders.

"I'd like to thank every one of them."

Linfield boss David Healy hailed the performance of young Devine following Tuesday's win.

The Blues manager even admitted some people thought he was mad signing the relatively unknown striker in January.

"When we signed Ethan, I read, I heard Healy has lost the plot signing a player from Knockbreda," Healy told reporters.

"We had so much faith and belief in a boy like Ethan to come in and freshen the place up, he's done that! With some of his goals and contributions he's only going to get better. He's still young and technically developing, he's still learning his game.

"I've said this before but to score a goal in the magnitude of a game tonight was. Ethan has proved his worth in the short spell he has been here and I have no doubt he will continue to do that."

Read more: Blackpool FC striker Shayne Lavery surprises Belfast football kids after match

Read more: Rangers B beat Celtic in Glasgow Cup semi-final as Northern Ireland teen emerges as hero

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