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Trivia
- The Dunfermline DJ played 'We're all off to sunny Spain Y Viva Espana' in tribute of Celtic reaching the UEFA cup final in Seville.
Review
Celtic were first to threaten and goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek did well to block a close-range effort from defender Ulrik Laursen.
Celtic were forced to make a change after only 11 minutes, when defender Joos Valgaeren sufferred a hamstring injury and was replaced with Paul Lambert.
Three goals within 11 minutes tore the heart out of Dunfermline.
Dunfermline paid for losing possession in midfield and Petrov fired a cross into the area, where Larsson got ahead of Jason Dair to prod the ball past Ruitenbeek and into the corner of the net.
The Swede turned provider eight minutes later, holding off his marker before knocking the ball into the path of Petrov to drive the ball into the corner from 10 yards.
A sweeping move quickly produced a third, when Didier Agathe crossed and Petrov again arrived in the box to head the ball home.
Dunfermline were exposed at the back when Barry Nicholson pulled down Larsson in the box and Thompson slotted home the spot kick.
Substitute McNicol made the scoreline more respectable by turning away from his marker and driving the ball in off the underside of the bar.
Teams
Dunfermline:-
Ruitenbeek, Walker, Bullen, Grondin (Hunt 45), Nicholson, Mason, Dempsey, Kilgannon, Dair (MacPherson 45), Brewster (McNicol 69), Crawford.
Subs not used:- Murdoch, Campbell.
Goal:- McNicol 80.
Booked:- Brewster.
Celtic:-
Broto, Valgaeren (Lambert 10), Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Fernandez 69), Lennon (Smith 79), McNamara, Petrov, Thompson, Larsson, Maloney.
Subs not used:- Marshall, Crainey.
Goals:- Larsson 21, Petrov 29, 32, Thompson 59 pen.
Att:- 8,923
Ref:– A Freeland.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Match Report (BBC)
Pictures
Articles
Celtic win keeps pressure on
BBC
Dunfermline Athletic 1-4 Celtic
A clinical, three-goal, 11-minute spell ensured that Celtic hauled themselves to within two points of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
Bulgaria international Stilian Petrov scored two and set up one for Henrik Larsson as the reigning champions continued their improved form since reaching the Uefa Cup final.
Alan Thompson added a fourth goal from the penalty spot after the break before young striker Scott McNicol grabbed a consolation goal on his debut.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill had been forced to make changes at East End Park, with Chris Sutton and John Hartson having picked up injuries in training.
Petrov came into the midfield and youngster Shaun Maloney made a rare start alongside Larsson.
Celtic's injury problems were nothing in comparison to the crisis crippling Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood, who had 10 first-team players missing.
Andrius Skerla, Steven Hampshire and Mark McGarty had joined the casualty list.
That allowed Scott Walker, Sean Kilgannon and Gary Dempsey to come into the starting 11, while striker Lee Bullen was forced into central defence.
Celtic were first to threaten and goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek did well to block a close-range effort from defender Ulrik Laursen.
Javier Sanchez Broto produced heroics at the other end, when he pushed away Gary Dempsey's firmly-struck shot from the edge of the area.
Celtic were forced to make a change after only 11 minutes, when defender Joos Valgaeren sufferred a hamstring injury and was replaced with Paul Lambert.
Dunfermline started to dominate and Broto again came to the rescue when Bullen headed across goal from a corner and the Spanish goalkeeper had to punch the ball off the line after a head flick from Scott Walker.
But three goals within 11 minutes tore the heart out of Dunfermline.
Henrik Larsson opens the scoring at East End Park
Henrik Larsson opened the scoring at East End Park
Dunfermline paid for losing possession in midfield and Petrov fired a cross into the area, where Larsson got ahead of Jason Dair to prod the ball past Ruitenbeek and into the corner of the net.
The Swede turned provider eight minutes later, holding off his marker before knocking the ball into the path of Petrov to drive the ball into the corner from 10 yards.
A sweeping move quickly produced a third, when Didier Agathe crossed and Petrov again arrived in the box to head the ball home.
Dunfermline brought on Noel Hunt and Gus MacPherson at half-time as they moved to a more attacking system.
But they were exposed at the back when Barry Nicholson pulled down Larsson in the box and Thompson slotted home the spot kick.
Stevie Crawford came close to equalling Dunfermline's goalscoring record, but his header was brilliantly scooped off the line by Broto.
It was substitute McNicol who made the scoreline more respectable by turning away from his marker and driving the ball in off the underside of the bar.
Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, Walker, Bullen, Grondin (Hunt 45), Nicholson, Mason, Dempsey, Kilgannon, Dair (MacPherson 45), Brewster (McNicol 69), Crawford.
Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Campbell.
Booked: Brewster.
Goal: McNicol 80.
Celtic: Broto, Valgaeren (Lambert 10), Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Fernandez 69), Lennon (Smith 79), McNamara, Petrov, Thompson, Larsson, Maloney.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Crainey.
Goals: Larsson 21, Petrov 29, 32, Thompson 59 pen.
Attendance: 8,923
Referee: A Freeland.
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