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Trivia
- Celtic cruised to victory over Dundee United who found themselves simply outclassed by the defending champions.
Review
A free kick wide on the right was laid back to McNamara who hit an unstoppable shot past Gallacher's despairing dive.
That goal came in the 25th minute, and a minute later the lead was doubled.
Chris Sutton capitalised on slack defending to slide the ball into the net from close range.
The third goal was not long in coming – Petrov and Larsson combined well and although Gallacher stopped the Swede's shot, Petrov followed up to deflect Danny Griffin's attempted clearance into the net.
McNamara almost added a fourth, again from long range, when Petrov picked him out from a corner, but this time his dipping effort flew just wide.
Larsson almost got on the end of a Guppy cross 10 minutes into the second half, but the ball just eluded him.
Steven Thompson came close for United before Hartson brought out a brave save from Gallacher.
That simply delayed the inevitable, though, Hartson rising to head Guppy's corner high into the net.
In 80 minutes, it was five. Fernandez strolled through the United defence before crossing to allow Larsson to head home.
Teams
Celtic:-
Hedman, Mjallby (Crainey 69), Valgaeren, Laursen, Sylla, Lennon (Fernandez 70), McNamara, Petrov, Guppy, Larsson, Sutton (Hartson 70).
Subs not used:- Douglas, Maloney.
Goals:- McNamara 25, Sutton 26, Petrov 33, Hartson 78, Larsson 80.
Booked:- Petrov.
Dundee Utd:-
Gallacher, McCunnie (Paterson 72), McGowne, Lauchlan, Duff, Easton (Venetis 63), Griffin, Miller (Smart 59), Aljofree, McIntyre, Thompson.
Subs not used:- Jarvie, Lilley.
Booked:- McIntyre.
Att:- 56,907
Ref:- K Clark.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Match Report (BBC)
Pictures
Stats
| Celtic | Dundee Utd | |
| 11 | Shots On Target | 3 |
| 4 | Shots Off Target | 3 |
| 17 | Fouls (Conceded) | 9 |
| 12 | Corners | 1 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
Celtic trounce Terrors
Celtic 5-0 Dundee United
BBC
Celtic cruised to victory over Dundee United who found themselves simply outclassed by the defending champions.
Jackie McNamara made the breakthrough with an outrageous effort in 25 minutes and Chris Sutton doubled the lead a minute later.
Stilian Petrov made it three at half-time before John Hartson and Henrik Larsson added two late goals to put an accurate reflection on the scoreline.
Photo gallery: Saturday's SPL action
Petrov warmed the gloves of Paul Gallacher twice in the opening minutes with a couple of testing long-range efforts that the keeper was equal to.
Larsson then had two attempts at goal – the first was deflected over by a last-ditch challenge by Lauchlan and the second was easily held by Gallacher.
Craig Easton had United's first serious effort on goal midway through the first half, Hedman watching it drift over before Celtic broke the deadlock.
A free kick wide on the right was laid back to McNamara who hit an unstoppable shot past Gallacher's despairing dive.
That goal came in the 25th minute, and a minute later the lead was doubled.
Chris Sutton capitalised on slack defending to slide the ball into the net from close range.
The third goal was not long in coming – Petrov and Larsson combined well and although Gallacher stopped the Swede's shot, Petrov followed up to deflect Danny Griffin's attempted clearance into the net.
McNamara almost added a fourth, again from long range, when Petrov picked him out from a corner, but this time his dipping effort flew just wide.
Larsson almost got on the end of a Guppy cross 10 minutes into the second half, but the ball just eluded the Swede, whose finishing touch looked slightly out.
Celtic introduced John Hartson, Stephen Crainey and David Fernandez with just under 20 minutes remaining and Petrov hit the bar as the champions threatened again.
Steven Thompson came close for United before Hartson brought out a brave save from Gallacher.
That simply delayed the inevitable, though, Hartson rising to head Guppy's corner high into the net.
In 80 minutes, it was five. Fernandez strolled through the United defence before crossing to allow Larsson to head home.
Celtic: Hedman, Mjallby (Crainey 69), Valgaeren, Laursen, Sylla, Lennon (Fernandez 70), McNamara, Petrov, Guppy, Larsson, Sutton (Hartson 70).
Subs Not Used: Douglas, Maloney.
Booked: Petrov.
Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie (Paterson 72), McGowne, Lauchlan, Duff, Easton (Venetis 63), Griffin, Miller (Smart 59), Aljofree, McIntyre, Thompson.
Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Lilley.
Booked: McIntyre.
Att: 56,907
Ref: K Clark