Linfield moved onto the summit of Setanta Group One following a deserved 2-1 victory over Derry City at Windsor Park.
David Jeffrey's men always appeared to have more hunger and, indeed, they came from behind to record victory.
Derry, who suffered their first defeat of the current season will, however, have an opportunity to redress the balance when the sides meet at the Brandywell on Monday night next.
But Derry's Pat Fenlon, who watched the game from the stand, will certainly have had a go at his defence during his half-time team-talk, the visiting back four clearly at fault when conceding their first goals of the season.
And the fact that Linfield's equaliser was scored from a set-piece situation will have infuriated the Dubliner.
The Dubliner may have been happy with his side's opening, particularly after Derry broke the deadlock in the 15th minute.
Kevin McHugh provided the inspiration when bursting through from the centre of the park and when he played in Paddy McCourt, the winger's shot across the face of goal broke perfectly for the unmarked Mark Farren who lashed the ball home from close range.
But with the 'Blues' clearly up for this battle, they deservedly restored equality within four minutes.
Paul McAreavey floated the ball into the danger area from a corner before Mark Dickson rose majestically on the edge of the six yards area to power the ball high into the net.
And it got worse for the 'Candy Stripes' when the home side moved into the driving seat one minute before the break, Derry having conceded a penalty.
With the visiting defence clearly dithering with what should have been a straightforward clearance, Linfield striker Peter Thompson, played a short ball through before Darren Kelly made contact with his hand.
A well placed referee, Paul Buttimer, immediately pointed to the spot and Oran Kearney, making his first appearance since last season's Irish Cup final, sent Pat Jennings the wrong way.
Linfield continued where they had left off after the break and, indeed, should have moved further ahead in the 48th minute when Dickson blasted the ball over the ball when he should have done better.
And in the 59th minute, Derry had to depend on the agility and alertness of keeper, Jennings, as the 'Blues' threatened again.
Having again failed to adequately clear a long range free-kick, the ball bobbled about inside the penalty area before Thompson's deft touch from close range saw Jennings produce a top drawer save when parrying the effort wide of his goal.
Linfield centre-half, Kris Lindsay, was sent off in the 79th minute having seen a second yellow card after he ploughed into the back of Farren and Fenlon played his final shake of the dice when introducing a treble substitution, opting for three central defenders.
But it was the home side who went so close again when Thompson's close range header was directed at Jennings, the Linfield striker really should have done better.
From that point onwards, the Linfield defence always seemed to be first to the ball, the 'Candy Stripes' struggling to their first defeat of the season.
Derry City: Jennings; McCallion (Beckett, 80 mins.), Kelly, Oman, Rogers; Deery, Molloy, Martyn (Higgins, 80 mins.), McCourt (McGlynn 80 mins.); McHugh, Farren.
Linfield: Mannus; Ervin, Lindsay, Murphy, McCann; Dixon, Mulgrew, McAreavey, Kearney (McShane, 69 mins.); Thompson, Stewart (Bailie, 80 mins.)
Referee: Antony Buttimer (Cork).
