Celtic 2-1 Dundee United

Last updated : 14 February 2004 By Kevin Smith
Celtic today equalled Morton's record of 23 successive victories, with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Dundee United. It was the Arabs who initially took the lead in the game, but substitute Shaun Maloney equalised and Chris Sutton netted a penalty to ensure a late Celtic comeback.

With Rangers dropping two points at Aberdeen earlier, Celtic are now 13 points clear at the top of the SPL.

Martin O'Neill made only one change to the team who defeated Dunfermline 4-1 in midweek, Bobo Balde replaced John Kennedy. Balde, however, looked shakey through the game, and looked nervous in the heart of Celtic's defence.

In the opening period, there was little to get excited about. Dundee United came with a game plan and pretty much stuck to it. Their 10- men behind the ball, counter attack tactics were certainly working.

Celtic didn;t create many chances in the first half, though Stephen Pearson impressed with his forward runs causing United problems.

The was rapturous applause from the Celtic support at half time, when Alan Stubbs was the guest to draw the Paradise Windfall.

Stan Varga came close early in the second half, with a header which just went over the bar.

Dundee United never gave up, and took a well deserved lead on 60 minutes. Archibald was the scorer, after latching onto a free-kick.

The Celtic fans, to their credit, got right behind the team, and the United goal was what was needed to waken the supporters up.

Celtic were now producing wave after wave of attacks, Paul Gallagher was impressive in the United goal, and showed his good handling of the ball.

Chris Sutton was causing mayhem throughout the game, and his persistence would eventually pay off. After receiving a great ball from Neil Lennon, he switched the ball across goal, and substitute Shaun Maloney was there to grab Celtic's equaliser, on 81 minutes.

Celtic Park erupted, and every single person in the ground knew there was more to come.

Celtic were now playing football similar to what we have seen in recent weeks.

The winner was to come only two minutes later, from the penalty spot. Stan Petrov was bundled down in the box, and Chris Sutton sent Gallagher the wrong way to seal the 3 points for Celtic.

The icing on the cake came when Billy Dodds was sent off for two bad challenges. The sending off was two months late though, Dodds should have seen red in Celtic's 5-1 victory over United at Tannadice in November.

Credit to Dundee United, they came and frustrated Celtic, made a game of it. But there was only going to be one winner today.

Results today mean Celts can now have the title wrapped up before the league split. We shall not be moved!

Celtic:
Douglas - 6
Balde - 6
Varga - 6
McNamara - 9
Lennon - 8
Petrov - 7 (Lambert - 6)
Thompson - 6
Agathe - 7
Pearson - 7 (Maloney - 8)
Sutton - 9
Larsson - 8

Celtic-Mad Man of the Match: Chris Sutton