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Trivia
- John Hartson and Henrik Larsson continued their excellent scoring form.
- For Welshman Hartson it was an eighteenth goal of the campaign, while the king of kings, was grabbing his 33rd, and his 190th Celtic career goal overtaking John "Yogi" Hughes, who has 189.
Review
United made it difficult for Celtic in the early stages, but Paul Gallacher needed two attempts to hold a drive from Stilian Petrov.
Celtic increased the pressure and finally went ahead after 26 minutes, winger Jamie Smith justifying the retention of his place in the side. His inviting cross into the box presented Hartson with the easiest of headers from six yards.
Then Petrov cleverly flicked the ball into the path of Larsson, who prodded it past the advancing Gallacher.
Gallacher blocked an effort by Hartson and a shot from Larsson as he kept the scoreline respectable at the break.
Celtic took the foot off the gas, but Larsson still came close with a header and curled a free-kick just wide.
Smith came close to making it three, his low drive flying just wide.
Teams
Celtic:-
Hedman, Mjallby (McNamara 28), Balde, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lambert, Petrov, Sutton, Smith, Larsson, Hartson (Crainey 82).
Subs not used:- Broto, Maloney, Guppy.
Goals:- Hartson 25, Larsson 29.
Dundee Utd:-
Gallacher, Wilson, McCraken, Daniele Chiarini, Bollan, Duff (Tod 45), Paterson (O'Donnell 59), Miller, McIntyre, Dodds, Lilley.
Subs not used:- Combe, Lauchlan, Hamilton. Booked: McCraken, Tod.
Att:- 55,204
Ref:- J Underhill.
Articles
Pictures
Deadly duo dump Dundee Utd
BBC
Celtic 2-0 Dundee United
John Hartson and Henrik Larsson continued their excellent scoring form as Celtic eased aside a stuffy Dundee United.
The reigning champions took only half an hour to virtually seal the points that kept them in touch with Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers.
For Welshman Hartson it was an eighteenth goal of the campaign, while his Swedish partner was grabbing his 33rd.
But Dundee United boss Paul Hegarty will be pleased that his bottom side at least managed to prevent a threatened avalanche of goals after conceding two goals in four minutes.
Henrik Larsson is congratulated by Stilian Petrov
It was goal No.33 for Henrik Larsson
He had been hoping that the addition of new defensive signings Daniele Chiarini, Billy Dodds, Andy Tod and Gary Bollan could halt a slide that continued with defeat by Hibernian in the Scottish Cup at Tannadice at the weekend.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill had welcomed back Bobo Balde, John Hartson, Didier Agathe and Paul Lambert, while Chris Sutton recovered from a knee injury sustained in the Scottish Cup win over St Mirren.
The returning quartet replaced the suspended Alan Thompson and Jackie McNamara, Momo Sylla and Colin Healy.
United made it difficult for Celtic in the early stages, but Paul Gallacher needed two attempts to hold a drive from Stilian Petrov.
Celtic increased the pressure and finally went ahead after 26 minutes, winger Jamie Smith justifying the retention of his place in the side.
His inviting cross into the box presented Hartson with the easiest of headers from six yards.
Celtic lost Mjallby moments later, the Swede holding his leg as he was replaced by McNamara.
Gary Bollan holds off Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov
United gave a debut to Gary Bollan (right)
Any new hope that gave United was extinguished on the half hour, when Petrov cleverly flicked the ball into the path of Larsson, who prodded it past the advancing Gallacher.
Gallacher blocked an effort by Hartson and a shot from Larsson as he kept the scoreline respectable by the break.
Hegarty handed former Dunfermline centre-half Tod his debut at the break, with Duff making way as Celtic continued to press.
Celtic took the foot off the gas, but Larsson still came close with a header and curled a free-kick just wide.
Smith came close to making it three, his low drive flying just wide, before Derek Lilley squandered United's best chance with a lack of composure as he fired over 18 minutes from the end.
Celtic: Hedman, Mjallby (McNamara 28), Balde, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lambert, Petrov, Sutton, Smith, Larsson, Hartson (Crainey 82).
Subs Not Used: Broto, Maloney, Guppy.
Goals: Hartson 25, Larsson 29.
Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Wilson, McCraken, Daniele Chiarini, Bollan, Duff (Tod 45), Paterson (O'Donnell 59), Miller, McIntyre, Dodds, Lilley.
Subs Not Used: Combe, Lauchlan, Hamilton. Booked: McCraken, Tod.
Attendance: 55,204
Referee: J Underhill.