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Trivia
- Henrik Larsson fired in a festive foursome to reach 101 goals for Celtic as Kilmarnock proved to be uncharacteristically charitable.
- Larsson brought his tally to 32 for the season with four goals after the break and Sutton pitched in with another two of his own as the fourth-top side collapsed after the break.
Review
Celtic's first real opportunity came after 26 minutes, when Peter Canero blocked Jackie McNamara after he was put clear by Henrik Larsson. Larsson took the free-kick himself but sent his low drive just wide.
After all Killie's resilience, it was surprising that the breakthrough came from a defensive error. Neil Lennon's cross to the back post after 37 minutes should have been cleared by Gary Hay. The full-back let the ball pass him by and Sutton slid in to half-volley the ball into the far corner of the net from eight yards.
But it was not until after the break that Celtic began to push home their advantage.
A Stilian Petrov drive was spilled by Gordon Marshall, but the goalkeeper recovered to palm the ball clear.
The second goal came after 53 minutes. Celtic thought they were going to be given a penalty when Petrov fell under pressure from Gary Holt as the Bulgarian broke into the box. Killie may have argued that Petrov should have been booked for a dive. But Larsson settled any arguments by reacting first to drive the loose ball home from eight yards.
A long ball out of defence caught out the Kilmarnock defence after 61 minutes. Sutton latched on to Mjallby's pass, went around Marshall and slotted home the third goal.
Three goals to the good, Celtic poured forward and a Petrov cross to the back post was side-footed home by the unmarked Larsson after 69 minutes.
Substitute Alan Thompson put Larsson clear for the Swede to chip Marshall for the fifth three minutes later.
The rout was completed when Larsson took advantage of some calamitous defending to prod the ball past Marshall after 86 minutes.
Teams
Celtic:-
Douglas, Valgaeren, Mjallby, Vega, Agathe, McNamara (Smith 74), Lennon, Petrov (Moravcik 74), Petta (Thompson 69), Larsson, Sutton.
Subs not used:- Gould, Boyd.
Goals:- Sutton 37, Larsson 53, Sutton 61, Larsson 69, 72, 86.
Booked:- Valgaeren, Petta, Lennon.
Kilmarnock:-
Marshall, Hay, McGowne, Dindeleux (Innes 79), Canero, Cocard, Holt, Mahood, McLaren, Wright (Reilly 79), Dargo (McCoist 79).
Subs not used:- Meldrum, Canning.
Booked:- Canero, Wright.
Att:- 59,380
Ref:- D Somers
Articles
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BBC
Tuesday, 2 January, 2001, 19:19 GMT
Four-goal Larsson stuns Killie
Celtic 6-0 Kilmarnock
Henrik Larsson fired in a festive foursome to reach 101 goals for Celtic as Kilmarnock proved to be uncharacteristically charitable.
The Swede's deadly partnership with Chris Sutton made sure that the league leaders remain unbeaten up until the winter break.
Kilmarnock were frustrating the home side until a mistake by Gary Hay allowed Sutton to open the scoring just before half-time.
Larsson brought his tally to 32 for the season with four goals after the break and Sutton pitched in with another of his own as the fourth-top side collapsed after the break.
Dominated possession
Martin O'Neill's side were looking to take a nine-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
Kilmarnock had suffered some disappointing results recently, but they remain a difficult side to beat away from Rugby Park.
That proved to the be case as Celtic struggled to create any clear-cut chances despite dominating possession.
And the visitors looked dangerous on the break as the match was delicately poised.
Celtic's first real opportunity came after 26 minutes, when Peter Canero blocked Jackie McNamara after he was put clear by Henrik Larsson.
Defensive error
Larsson took the free-kick himself but sent his low drive just wide.
Bobby Petta was lucky to escape with just a yellow card when he whipped the feet away from Canero.
After all Killie's resilience, it was surprising that the breakthrough came from a defensive error.
Neil Lennon's cross to the back post after 37 minutes should have been cleared by Gary Hay.
The full-back let the ball pass him by and Sutton slid in to half-volley the ball into the far corner of the net from eight yards.
Penalty claim
But it was not until after the break that Celtic began to push home their advantage.
A Stilian Petrov drive was spilled by Gordon Marshall, but the goalkeeper recovered to palm the ball clear.
The second goal came after 53 minutes. Celtic thought they were going to be given a penalty when Petrov fell under pressure from Gary Holt as the Bulgarian broke into the box.
Killie may have argued that Petrov should have been booked for a dive.
But Larsson settled any arguments by reacting first to drive the loose ball home from eight yards.
A long ball out of defence caught out the Kilmarnock defence after 61 minutes.
Rout completed
Sutton latched on to Mjallby's pass, went around Marshall and slotted home the third goal.
Three goals to the good, Celtic poured forward and a Petrov cross to the back post was side-footed home by the unmarked Larsson after 69 minutes.
Substitute Alan Thompson put Larsson clear for the Swede to chip Marshall for the fifth three minutes later.
The rout was completed when Larsson took advantage of some calamitous defending to prod the ball past Marshall after 86 minutes.
Celtic: Douglas, Valgaeren, Mjallby, Vega, Agathe, McNamara, Lennon, Petrov, Petta, Larsson, Sutton.
Subs: Gould, Boyd, Thompson, Moravcik, Smith.
Kilmarnock: Marshall, Hay, McGowne, Dindeleux, Canero, Cocard, Holt, Mahood, McLaren, Wright, Dargo.
Subs: Meldrum, Reilly, McCoist, Innes, Canning.
Referee: D Somers.