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Kyle Lafferty celebrates - cropped

Kyle Lafferty double seals win for Northern Ireland

A flurry of late goals saw Michael O’Neill’s side add gloss to what ultimately transpired to be a routine home win over 10-man San Marino.

KYLE LAFFERTY CAME off the bench to score twice and provide an assist as Northern Ireland left it late to put 10-man San Marino to the sword in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying win at Windsor Park.

Although they dominated the Group C contest and created a string of chances, Michael O’Neill’s side struggled to build upon Davis’ opener, which arrived from the spot after 26 minutes.

It was not until 11 minutes from time that they doubled their advantage when Lafferty slotted home a Shane Ferguson cross and the Norwich City striker then teed up Jamie Ward to add the third from close range.

Lafferty duly completed his influential cameo by making it 4-0 deep into stoppage time, volleying into an empty net after fine approach work from Davis.

San Marino, meanwhile, never suggested that they were capable of securing a first win in World Cup qualifying and their cause was not helped when they lost Mirko Palazzi to a senseless second yellow card three minutes into the second half.

Pierangelo Manzaroli’s men were grateful to goalkeeper Aldo Junior Simoncini for ensuring that their second successive defeat of the campaign was not a far more emphatic one.

The result maintained Northern Ireland’s impressive unbeaten home record that dates back over three years, but they will face a far sterner test on Tuesday when they take on World Cup holders Germany in Hanover.

Stuart Dallas should have given the hosts the lead after four minutes, but the Leeds United midfielder somehow contrived to miss the target as he slid in to meet Niall McGinn’s cross at the far post.

Josh Magennis, meanwhile, had rather surprisingly been selected to start ahead of Lafferty, Northern Ireland’s top scorer during their successful Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

That decision initially appeared justified, however, when the Charlton Athletic striker played a key role in his side’s opening goal.

He was pulled back by San Marino skipper Alessandro Della Valle as he tried to reach a Ferguson delivery from the left and Davis made no mistake with the resulting penalty.

Davis should have claimed his and Northern Ireland’s second goal just before the break, firing wastefully wide after being teed up by Ward, who himself then saw a header kept out by Simoncini.

In a lively opening to the second half, Ward was again foiled by Simoncini, this time after firing in a volley from the edge of the box.

And San Marino then found themselves reduced to 10 men when Palazzi, who had been booked for a foul on McGinn in the first half, collected another caution for needlessly impeding Michael McGovern as the home goalkeeper attempted to launch a counter-attack with a long throw.

Simoncini continued to keep his side in the game with a fine solo display, twice denying McGinn and also blocking well-struck efforts from Ward and Magennis as the home side piled on the pressure.

He was helpless to keep out Lafferty in the 79th minute, however, after the substitute got ahead of his marker to meet another fine cross from the impressive Ferguson.

Lafferty then claimed an assist as his downward header from Ferguson’s cross fell kindly for Ward, who applied the finish at the back post.

And the 29-year-old still had time to make one final further contribution as he gleefully slammed home Davis’ clever chipped cross right at the death.

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    Mute Hoofedup Bravo
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:04 AM

    Hate to say it as a Pool fan, but Mourinho will do well, bring great chance of success…. Just hope Klopp is able to achieve what he is quote possible of doing. Looking like a very competitive season. Cannot wait for Liverpool v Man Utd….. No matter what people say, still the de facto game in the league…..

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:46 AM

    You’re a pool fan Hoofedup? Well I never :-)

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    Mute Hoofedup Bravo
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    Aug 20th 2016, 2:34 AM

    Oh god no, never, sweet jesus, don’t ever do that again! Even if they suck forever, Pool for life!

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    Mute Nic Antonio
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    Aug 20th 2016, 11:07 AM

    The league is a better and more exciting one with United and Liverpool competing.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Aug 19th 2016, 11:56 PM

    Have to say I think United look a completely different proposition. Pogba was an investment of serious intent, possibly their biggest signing ever not just in monetary terms? Their only possible weakness is in central defence and possibly up front if Ibra doesn’t last the pace over the entire season, but they look very hard to beat to be hon. I’d put them as slight league favourites at the mo. Arsenal and Spurs are prob the last two remaining relatively big clubs that haven’t tried to spend big to win

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    Mute Shimmy Shammy
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    Aug 20th 2016, 12:33 AM

    Central defence? They had the joint best defensive record in the prem last season, hardly too much of a weakness there

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    Mute hard yaka
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:26 AM

    Garbage. Sky Sports fan obviously. He has played one game. Robson was a record transfer fee and transformed the united mindset as did cantona. Roy Keane also has a big claim to be the best ever united signing. I’m a united supporter but get off the band wagon. Keane Robson ronaldo and cantona done it week in week out. Give pogba time but do not dare compare him to the greats yet. #Edwards#Charlton#best#Keane#Robson#ronaldo#best.

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    Mute hard yaka
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:28 AM

    Best ever signing. Give me a break and show some respect

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    Mute Hoofedup Bravo
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:43 AM

    Hard yaka, you may figure out who I am, but that is the most realistic voice of reason yet from a Man Utd fan… Well, apart from Sloop…. Season is young, much water yet to travel.

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:59 AM

    @bealbocht, are you forgetting that Arsenal paid over £40m for Ozil 3 years ago and, if I recall correctly, was the second biggest transfer fee involving a PL club after Torres went from Liverpool to Chelsea. As for Spurs, they spent most of the money they got for Gareth Bale on 4/5 expensive signings, most of whom turned out to be flops.

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    Mute Hoofedup Bravo
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    Aug 20th 2016, 2:36 AM

    Yaka, put #Irwin too in there, most reliable ever…. And a lethal free kick…..

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    Mute Rob Kennedy
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    Aug 20th 2016, 7:55 AM

    He didn’t say best signing. He said biggest signing, not just in monetary terms (which it obviously is). The point he quite rightly made is that United are making a point of intent. They are saying that they are able to compete with RM & Barca etc. I’m sure he has plenty of respect for the legends. Read the man’s English, you muppet, instead of pretending that you are some sort of OT high priest and the only one capable of respect.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:58 AM

    Ah Rob, you got in before me but thank you, yes I did say BIGGEST signing. Of course you can’t make a judgement on anyone after one game but I was referring to intent as Rob kindly pointed out. Fergie was always relatively cautious in the transfer market and always backed himself to create a team without just the big money transfers. Hence why he won leagues with the likes of OShea and Browne. I don’t think the board fully trusted Moyes or van Gaal with open purse strings but they sure are backing Jose

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Aug 20th 2016, 10:31 AM

    I would agree that the United board didn’t back Moyes but LVG was allowed to spend big on many players like Di Maria, Memphis, Falcaoa and Rojo who’ve turned out to be flops (at United). In fact I think it’s easier to count the signings who have been a success, Martial, Blind and Herrera.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Aug 20th 2016, 2:36 PM

    All pale in comparison to Pogba signing – my original point

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    Mute Simon Lawler
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    Aug 20th 2016, 10:31 AM

    Once this team gels under Mourinho they will be hard to beat and come May they will be in the mix

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