|feedback | low graphics version|
|You are in: Football: Scot Prem|
Saturday, 9 September, 2000, 18:47 GMT 19:47 UK
Celtic cruise to the top
Celtic 3-0 Hibernian
Celtic maintained their magnificent 100% record under manager Martin O'Neill to move to the top of the SPL table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Hibs.
The visitors had been in pole position before kick off but a first half double from Henrik Larsson and a late goal from substitute Mark Burchill knocked the Easter Road side off their lofty perch.
Celtic dominated from start to finish and played with a fine blend of finesse and ferocity that had their fans purring with delight.
The margin of victory could have been greater had it not been for a number of good saves from Hibs goalkeeper Nick Colgan and the cool defending of French veteran Franck Sauzee.
The game began at a brisk pace with both sides intent on passing the ball to feet. However, players were given no time to dwell as opponents were quick to close each other down.
As the game progressed, the flow of play turned more and more towards the goal Hibs were defending.
In the sixth minute Jackie McNamara dragged a shot wide of the target after cutting in cleverly from the right flank and, soon after, Colgan had to look lively to tip a fierce drive from Lubo Moravcik over the bar.
Alan Stubbs was stretchered off the park after 10 minutes following a full-blooded clash with Hibs midfielder Matthias Jack.
Swedish international Johan Mjallby replaced the big English defender.
Alan Thompson made a bright start to his SPL debut and it was the former Aston Villa man who was instrumental in giving Celtic the lead.
Thompson juggled the ball on the edge of the box and, although he appeared to wrestle Sauzee to the ground, he was allowed to carry on his run.
As the loose ball bounced towards the by-line, Colgan raced from his goal and rashly clattered into the chasing Thompson - appearing to punch the Celtic player on the side of the head.
Larsson converted the resulting penalty with ease after Colgan had dived to his left very early.
Hibs threatened the Celtic goal for the first time after 25 minutes when John O'Neil raced clear of the home defence but goalkeeper Jonathan Gould did well to block the midfielder's shot.
Celtic continued to play the ball around with great composure and snapped into every tackle with controlled aggression. Hibs' playmakers, O'Neil and Latapy were given no time to get their feet on the ball.
With half-time approaching, David Zitelli tried his luck with a free kick from fully 40 yards out but Gould stopped the ball comfortably.
At the other end Colgan did well to block a Moravcik shot at his near post.
Seconds before the interval Celtic doubled their advantage, and it was a second goal for Larsson.
Thompson floated in a good cross from the left and there was a queue of Celtic players waiting in the Hibs penalty box. The Swede got up highest and expertly nodded the ball high into the net.
Celtic began the second period at the same breathtaking pace and Thompson blazed a blistering shot just wide of the post with the Hibs defence still picking orange pith from their teeth.
Hibs had a case for a penalty when Tom Boyd appeared to tug Mixu Paatelainen down in the Celtic penalty box. However, referee John Rowbotham appeared unsighted.
Thompson again went close to scoring when his free kick whizzed narrowly past Colgan's goal.
With 20 minutes remaining, only a brave block by Colgan denied Larsson a hat-trick after a clever pass from Chris Sutton had sent his striking partner scampering goalward.
Unsurprisingly, the tempo of the game dipped and Hibs were able to enjoy more possession.
Lovell's shot was saved by Gould and the rebound was taken off O'Neil's toes just yards from goal by his over-anxious team-mate Dirk Lehmann with the goal gaping empty.
Rock at the back
Sauzee, who was a rock at the back for Hibs all afternoon, kept the score down with a goal-line block after Sutton had managed to wriggle his way past Colgan.
The Hibs captain was injured in the process, having stopped the ball with a rather sensitive part of his body.
Celitc grabbed a third goal in injury time when Paul Lambert, looking suspiciously offside, drew Colgan before squaring the ball to substitute Burchill - who had the simple task of tapping it into an empty net.
Stilian Petrov could have added a fourth in the dying seconds but Colgan was quick off his line to clear at the Bulgarian's feet.
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Valgaeren, Stubbs, McNamara, Lambert, Petrov, Moravcik, Thompson, Larsson, Sutton.
Subs: Kerr, Berkovic, Johnson, Burchill, Mjallby.
Hibernian: Colgan, G. Smith, Fenwick, Jack, T. Smith, Lovell, Sauzee, Latapy, O'Neil, Zitelli, Paatelainen.
Subs: Westwater, Brebner, Lehmann, Bannerman, Sar.
Referee: John Rowbotham
Your favourite team
Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League webcast details
08 Sep 00 | Scotland
Sympathy for Celtic's boy from Brazil
07 Sep 00 | Scotland
O'Neill pips McLeish to manager's award
07 Sep 00 | Scotland
Thompson praised, Burns rapped
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Other top Scot Prem stories:
Links to top Scot Prem stories are at the foot of the page.
Links to other Scot Prem stories
|^^ Back to top|
|Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports | Sports Talk |
In Depth | Photo Galleries | Audio/Video | TV & Radio | BBC Pundits | Question of Sport | Funny Old Game
BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
© MMII | News Sources | Privacy