N.Ireland 4-1 Georgia: Healy scores at both ends

David Healy scored for both sides as Northern Ireland’s first-half blitz proved enough to see off Georgia.Healy was given a special award by UEFA president Michel Platini before the match in honour of his scoring exploits in Euro 2008 qualifying, but he missed a string of chances before Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty finished a snappy move for the opener.

• Lafferty outshines Healy

Healy did register with a deflected long-range shot before Lafferty headed a third, his second, as the hapless Georgians capitulated before the break.

Nigel Worthington’s team lost momentum badly after the break following a string of substitutions, and Healy slid the ball into his own net after Maik Taylor had saved Levan Tskitishvili’s spot-kick following a handball by debutant Michael O’Connor.

Peter Thompson bundled in a late fourth for the hosts.

The home side dominated from the off. Veteran winger Keith Gillespie broke free down the right flank in the second minute and crossed low across the face of goal, but none of the on-rushing attackers were able to make contact with his dangerous ball.

Healy almost made it 34 international goals in the 15th minute when Georgia goalkeeper George Makaridze spilled a cross from the recalled Stuart Elliott, but he atoned for his error to save the striker’s mis-hit follow-up effort.

Moments later Healy turned and sent a dipping 20-yard shot just past the post before yet another shot was well blocked after good work from Gillespie.

Healy got on to a bouncing ball that eluded the defence to fire in another effort from the edge of the area, which was straight at Makaridze.

The home side were utterly dominant and fashioned a classy opening goal in the 25th minute after the Georgians gave the ball away in defence.

Healy fed Steven Davis, who squared for Kyle Lafferty to score his fourth international goal with a first-time shot from 10 yards.

Taylor saw his first action of the night in the 32nd minute when he was forced to punch clear Alexander Iashvili’s shot from an acute angle.

But it was two a minute later when Healy latched on to Damien Johnson’s header and shot from 25 yards.

A wicked deflection off AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze was enough to send it past the sprawling Makaridze.

Lafferty then made it three in the 36th minute with a fine header from Healy’s right-wing cross.

It was the second match in succession that the Georgians - ranked 76th in the world by FIFA - had found themselves three down at the interval following their 3-1 defeat by Latvia in Tbilisi last month.

Crewe midfielder O’Connor came on for his debut at the start of the second half, with Warren Feeney also joining the action as Johnson and Lafferty made way.

Georgia’s Levan Kenia tried his luck from 20 yards in the 50th minute but his shot was well wide, before Davis clipped into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Then, out of nowhere, the visitors won a penalty in the 54th minute when O’Connor handled a cross.

Taylor made a brilliant save low to his right to tip Tskitishvili’s spot-kick on to the post, and as the midfielder attempted to collect the follow-up, Healy slid in to challenge but only succeeded in sending the ball into his own net.

Gareth McAuley was sent on for Stephen Craigan as manager Worthington attempted to shore up his suddenly stretched defence.

A smartly worked free-kick in the 69th minute ended with Healy firing a 25-yard shot that was comfortably saved by Makaridze.

It was Healy’s last action as youngsters Michael Gault and Peter Thompson were brought on, Davis also making way.

Taylor then made a smart parry from Iashvili’s close-range shot and fingertipped Levan Kobiashvili’s diagonal shot to safety.

At the other end, Feeney curled wide from a good position after some slack defending.

Alan Mannus became the third Linfield player to be brought on, after Thompson and Gault, when he replaced Taylor in goal.

In the 87th minute, Thompson bundled home a fourth for Northern Ireland - arguably with his arm - after Aaron Hughes’ flick-on caused panic in the Georgian defence.

Lafferty outshines Healy

It may have been David Healy’s night at Windsor Park but his young strike partner Kyle Lafferty won the praise of Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington after his double saw off Georgia.French legend Michel Platini, now president of UEFA, handed Healy a special award before tonight’s 4-1 win for the province in Belfast, in honour of his record-breaking 13 goals during Euro 2008 qualifying.

But when the action got under way, Burnley striker Lafferty, 20, showed that Northern Ireland are far from a one-man team with two first-half goals that helped to end the match as a contest.

Worthington said afterwards: ‘I’m not going to give him too much of a boost because he’s a young lad, he’s still got a lot to learn and he’s got a lot to do.

‘But I’m delighted with his performance. He had a knock prior to the game but we got him out there, although it started to tighten before half-time so we brought him off.

‘I’m delighted for him that he got two goals for all his hard work and showed potentially what a good player he could be as long as he keeps his head down and he keeps working.’

Lafferty’s brace, which sandwiched Healy’s deflected 20-yard effort, meant Northern Ireland were 3-0 ahead at the break.

Healy then turned the ball into his own net attempting to tackle Levan Tskitishvili after Maik Taylor’s penalty save before substitute Peter Thompson bundled home a late fourth.

But even the embarrassment of an own goal could not take the gloss off a proud night for Healy, who now has 34 international strikes.

‘It was great for me to receive the award from Michel Platini tonight, so I’m chuffed,’ Healy told BBC Northern Ireland.

‘It was a terrific honour to meet him tonight, such a great player, such a well-respected man. For him to take the time to come over and take the time to give me the award - I’m very honoured.’

Healy has enjoyed little first-team action this season with Barclays Premier League strugglers Fulham and has been linked with a loan move to Ipswich - who are managed by countryman Jim Magilton.

Although playing a straight bat to suggestions of a switch to Portman Road, Healy suggested he might be open to offers.

‘Nobody’s ever happy about not playing first-team football. Jim’s a terrific manager, he’s done a terrific job, Ipswich are a terrific club and I’m sure he’ll keep doing a terrific job.

‘We’ll have to wait and see.’

Healy and Lafferty showed once again what a promising strikeforce they have become for their country, but Worthington refused to guarantee them starting berths when the World Cup qualifiers get under way in September.

‘As a manager you keep all options open because you don’t know when there will be a lack of confidence or an injury, so it would be wrong of me to say that’s my preferred two.

‘There’s other strikers in there and if there’s horses for courses, so be it.’

Another outstanding performance tonight came from 33-year-old winger Keith Gillespie, who recently reiterated his desire to keep playing international football.

Worthington admitted there will always be a place for the veteran in his squad if he keeps playing to the same standard.

‘Tonight’s performance is a benchmark for Keith. We know what he can do but that performance, attacking-wise and working back for the team defensively, was first class.

‘I’m delighted he’s got man of the match, he’s a great advert for younger players on how to perform.’Here