2004-12-12: Dunfermline 0-2 Celtic, SPL

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Trivia

  • Celtic climbed back to the top of the SPL with this victory.

Review

Celtic soon had a firm grip on the game and Dunfermline goalkeeper Derek Stillie had to push John Hartson's effort around the post from Petrov's cross. In the eighth minute, Aiden McGeady threaded the ball through to Petrov whose deflected shot was save well by Stillie.

Sutton gave Dunfemline a warning just seconds before his opener when he got on the end of Jackie McNamara's floated ball and Stillie had to push his effort for a corner. Dunfermline failed to take heed and allowed the Englishman to meet Thompson's corner and plant a header across goal and into the corner of the net from close range.

Celtic extended their lead on the half-hour mark with a spectacular volley from Petrov. McGeady's free-kick was half cleared to the Bulgarian who blasted a clinical bicycle kick past Stillie from 16 yards.

Dunfermline came close to scoring in the 52nd minute when Billy Mehmet planted his header towards the top corner of the goal but Magnus Hedman threw himself in the air to tip the ball over.

In the 54th minute, Sutton laid Petrov's pass into Hartson's path, the Welshman crashed a right-foot shot against the crossbar and Sutton launched the rebound high over the crossbar.

Teams

Dunfermline:-
Stillie, Nicholson, Scott Wilson, Labonte (Ross 83), Scott Thomson, Donnelly (Hunt 72), Darren Young, Mason, Dempsey, Mehmet, Tod.
Subs Not Used:- Langfield, Bradley, Butler, Campbell, Scullion.
Booked:- Ross.

Celtic:-
Hedman, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Valgaeren, McGeady, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, Sutton, Hartson.
Subs Not Used:- Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Laursen, Camara, Wallace, Lawson.
Goals:- Sutton 16, Petrov 31.

Att:- 7,650
Ref:- H Dallas.

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

Dunfermline 0-2 Celtic

BBC
Stilian Petrov scored a spectacular goal for Celtic
Celtic climbed back to the top of the SPL with a victory at East End Park.

Chris Sutton rose highest to head in an Alan Thompson corner after 16 minutes and soon after Stilian Petrov fired in an acrobatic strike.

John Hartson hit the crossbar with a thundering shot but Celtic were content to stifle the Pars in the second half.

Dunfermline's Barry Nicholson headed wide from close range early in the game, while a Billy Mehmet header was well saved by Magnus Hedman.

Nicholson missed the target from just six yards after Gary Mason had picked him out in the centre in the first minute.

But the visitors soon had a firm grip on the game and Pars goalkeeper Derek Stillie had to push John Hartson's effort around the post from Petrov's cross.

In the eighth minute, Aiden McGeady threaded the ball through to Petrov whose deflected shot was save well by Stillie.

Sutton gave the home side a warning just seconds before his opener when he got on the end of Jackie McNamara's floated ball and Stillie had to push his effort for a corner.

Dunfermline failed to take heed and allowed the Englishman to meet Thompson's corner and plant a header across goal and into the corner of the net from close range.

The champions extended their lead on the half-hour mark with a spectacular volley from Petrov.

McGeady's free-kick was half cleared to the Bulgarian who blasted a clinical bicycle kick past Stillie from 16 yards.

The home team will feel hard done by as the free kick was won by a theatrical dive from Thompson, while Aaron Labonte ducked out of a challenge on Petrov.

Dunfermline came close to scoring in the 52nd minute when Billy Mehmet planted his header into the top corner of the net but Magnus Hedman threw himself in the air to tip the ball over.

Celtic should have wrapped up the points in the 54th minute when they carved out a glorious chance.

Sutton laid Petrov's pass into Hartson's path, the Welshman crashed a right-foot shot against the crossbar and Sutton launched the rebound high over the crossbar.

Dunfermline battled away gamely but rarely looked like getting back into the match, while Celtic were content to sit back and contain their opponents in a drab closing half hour.

Mehmet was given a glimpse of goal after a slip from Stanislav Varga but his control was poor and Hedman was able to slide out and gather at the striker's feet.

Dunfermline: Stillie, Nicholson, Scott Wilson, Labonte (Ross 83), Scott Thomson, Donnelly (Hunt 72), Darren Young, Mason, Dempsey, Mehmet, Tod. Subs Not Used: Langfield, Bradley, Butler, Campbell, Scullion.

Booked: Ross.

Celtic: Hedman, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Valgaeren, McGeady, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, Sutton, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Laursen, Camara, Wallace, Lawson.

Goals: Sutton 16, Petrov 31.

Att: 7,650

Ref: H Dallas