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Trivia
- Celtic got the defence of their title off to a winning start with Henrik Larsson scoring twice.
Review
Celtic first went close when Larsson and Sutton combined but the Englishman put the ball wide from close range.
Larsson had a shot parried by Pars goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek and the striker sent the rebound over the crossbar.
The flow of play was largely one-way, but Lee Bullen did manage a long-range shot at goal that was easily held by Rab Douglas.
Celtic continued to threaten in search of the opener and Ruitenbeek was called into action to block a 25-yard drive from Sutton just after the half-hour mark. Sutton was unlucky not to open the scoring before half-time, when he picked up on the rebound from a Petrov shot, only for his effort to cannon off Andrius Skerla.
Celtic's pressure paid off four minutes before the break when Petta's corner found Larsson inside the six-yard box and he rose, unchallenged, to head Celtic powerfully ahead from just a few yards out.
With 65 minutes gone, Larsson doubled Celtic's advantage. Petta was fouled by Mason but referee Hugh Dallas signalled for play to continue and the ball broke to the Swede, who produced a delightful lob to send the ball over Ruitenbeek and into the net.
Dunfermline brought on Dempsey after 73 minutes and the substitution proved to be an inspired decision. He had been on the park for only a minute when he pulled a goal back, spotting Douglas well off his line and lobbing the ball high over the Celtic goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Teams
Celtic:-
Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren, Sylla, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, Petta (Crainey 89), Sutton, Larsson (Fernandez 83).
Subs not used:- Hedman, Hartson, Maloney.
Goals:- Larsson 41, 66.
Booked:- Sylla.
Dunfermline:-
Ruitenbeek, Bullen, Skerla, Scott Thomson, Dair, Hampshire (Walker 73), Mason, Nicholson, Kilgannon (Dempsey 73), Brewster, Crawford.
Subs not used:- Stillie, Nicholls, McLeish.
Goal:- Dempsey 74.
Booked:- Nicholson, Dair.
Att:- 57,415
Ref:- H Dallas.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Match Report (BBC)
Pictures
Articles
Larsson double dumps Dunfermline
BBC
Celtic 2-1 Dunfermline
The Scottish champions got the defence of their title off to a winning start with Henrik Larsson scoring twice.
Dunfermline rarely threatened Celtic in the first half and Larsson finally made the home side's pressure count with the opening goal in 41 minutes.
The Swede doubled the lead shortly after the break, but Gary Dempsey pulled a goal back in 74 minutes to make the scoreline closer than the balance of play.
Celtic first went close when Larsson and Sutton combined but the Englishman put the ball wide from close range.
Larsson had a shot parried by Pars goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek and the striker sent the rebound over the crossbar.
The flow of play was largely one-way, but Lee Bullen did manage a long-range shot at goal that was easily held by Rab Douglas.
Celtic continued to threaten in search of the opener and Ruitenbeek was called into action to block a 25-yard drive from Sutton just after the half-hour mark.
A blunder by Balde six minutes before the interval gifted possession to Craig Brewster and he lined the ball up for Mason, but the Dunfermline player sent his shot well over.
Sutton was unlucky not to open the scoring a few minutes later when he picked up on the rebound from a Petrov shot, only for his effort to cannon off Andrius Skerla.
Celtic's pressure paid off four minutes before the break when Petta's corner found Larsson inside the six-yard box and he rose, unchallenged, to head Celtic powerfully ahead from just a few yards out.
Dunfermline had a chance just after the hour mark when Jason Dair played the ball on to Crawford but his effort was easily held by Douglas.
With 65 minutes gone, Larsson doubled Celtic's advantage. Petta was fouled by Mason but referee Hugh Dallas signalled for play to continue and the ball broke to the Swede, who produced a delightful lob to send the ball over Ruitenbeek and into the net.
Dunfermline brought on Gary Dempsey after 73 minutes and the substitution proved to be an inspired decision.
Dempsey had been on the park for only a minute when he pulled a goal back, spotting Douglas well off his line and lobbing the ball high over the Celtic goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
With just three minutes remaining, Dunfermline were unlucky not to take a share of the points when Douglas was forced into a superb save to deny a powerful effort from Nicholson.
Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren, Sylla, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, Petta (Crainey 89), Sutton, Larsson (Fernandez 83).
Subs Not Used: Hedman, Hartson, Maloney.
Booked: Sylla.
Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, Bullen, Skerla, Scott Thomson, Dair, Hampshire (Walker 73), Mason, Nicholson, Kilgannon (Dempsey 73), Brewster, Crawford.
Subs Not Used: Stillie, Nicholls, McLeish.
Booked: Nicholson, Dair.
Att: 57,415
Ref: H Dallas
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