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Trivia
- Celtic moved 16 points clear at the top of the SPL with a hard-fought victory.
Quick Review
Falkirk forced the first corner of the match in the 12th minute and could have taken the lead with a bit more composure from Stokes in front of goal. Alan Gow's cross from the right was headed back by O'Donnell to Karl Dodd, who knocked the ball towards the on-loan Arsenal striker six yards out. But Stokes was unable to set himself quickly enough and volleyed over the bar from close range with his weaker right foot.
Celtic responded when Zurawski's close-range drive forced a fine save from Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Higgins after the striker took advantage of some slack defending.
Gravesen gave Celtic the lead after 24 minutes, when he fired home from 18 yards after an attempted one-two with Aiden McGeady, despite protests from Falkirk players that he handled before scoring.
McGeady went close to extending Celtic's lead, but his curling shot sailed over Scott Higgins' crossbar.
Falkirk were thwarted twice by the woodwork in the second half, first through Stokes' effort which rebounded off the post and to safety.
Both sets of fans felt aggrieved at some of the referee's decisions as play raged from one goal to the other.
Substitute Kenny Miller missed a couple of chances to make the game safe, as Falkirk pressed unsuccessfully for an equaliser.
Neil Lennon was fouled in the box in the last minute as the referee pointed to the spot. The Celtic captain was then sent off for clashing with Stokes, with the latter receiving a yellow for his part in the ncident.
Miller's penalty hit the post and rebounded to safety in an incredible end to a pulsating game.
Teams
Celtic-
Boruc; Telfer, Balde, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Lennon, Gravesen (Sno 75), McGeady (Riordan 78); Jarosik, Zurawski (Miller 73)
Subs not used:- Marshall, O’Dea, Beattie, Pearson
Goal:- Gravesen 24
Sent off:- Lennon
Falkirk Team:- Higgins; Ross, Barr, Dodd, Milne; O’Donnell, Lima (Latapy 71), Cregg, Craig; Stokes, Gow
Subs:- Lambers, Scobbie, Uras, McStay, McManus, Stewart
Booked:- Ross, Stokes
Att:- 55,000
Ref:- I. Brines.
KStreet
- MOTM Voting
- Winner – Thomas Gravesen – (Link to MOTM Winners 2006-07)
Articles
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Celtic 1-0 Falkirk
Celtic moved 16 points clear at the top of the SPL with a hard-fought victory over a resilient Falkirk.
In a first half of few chances the Bairns could have taken the lead through Anthony Stokes, but he shot over from six yards.
Thomas Gravesen fired Celtic in front after 23 minutes with a curling shot, despite Falkirk appeals for hand-ball.
The Bairns struck the woodwork twice before Neil Lennon was sent off and Kenny Miller missed a penalty.
Interview: Falkirk manager John Hughes Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
Celtic defender Paul Telfer replaced the injured Mark Wilson after the former Dundee United right-back was ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury sustained in last week's Old Firm game.
The defensive switch was manager Gordon Strachan's only change, with Jiri Jarosik and Maciej Zurawski remaining as the front pair for the Hoops.
Falkirk made one change, bringing in midfielder Stephen O'Donnell for veteran playmaker Russell Latapy, who started on the bench.
The opening exchanges were low-key with much of the action taking place in the congested midfield area.
Falkirk's passing was sharp and crisp in the first half as they tried to take the game to the SPL leaders.
The visitors forced the first corner of the match in the 12th minute and could have taken the lead with a bit more composure from Stokes in front of goal.
Alan Gow's cross from the right was headed back by O'Donnell to Karl Dodd, who knocked the ball towards the on-loan Arsenal striker six yards out.
But Stokes was unable to set himself quickly enough and volleyed over the bar from close range with his weaker right foot.
The home side responded when Zurawski's close-range drive forced a fine save from Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Higgins after the striker took advantage of some slack defending.
Gravesen gave Celtic the lead after 24 minutes, when he fired home from 18 yards after an attempted one-two with Aiden McGeady, despite protests from Falkirk players that he handled before scoring.
McGeady went close to extending Celtic's lead, but his curling shot sailed over Scott Higgins' crossbar.
Lee Naylor set up Jarosik with a clever cut-back after 55 minutes, but the Czech midfielder drove high over the bar from 14 yards.
Falkirk were thwarted twice by the woodwork in the second half, first through Stokes' effort which rebounded off the post and to safety.
Then Gow's rasping drive struck the underside of the crossbar to further frustrate the Bairns.
Both sets of fans felt aggrieved at some of the referee's decisions as play raged from one goal to the other.
Substitute Kenny Miller missed a couple of chances to make the game safe, as Falkirk pressed unsuccessfully for an equaliser.
Neil Lennon was fouled in the box in the last minute as the referee pointed to the spot.
The Celtic captain was then sent off for clashing with Stokes, with the latter receiving a yellow for his part in the incident.
Miller's penalty hit the post and rebounded to safety in an incredible end to a pulsating game.
Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Gravesen (Sno 75), McGeady (Riordan 78), Jarosik, Zurawski (Miller 73). Subs Not Used: Marshall, Beattie, Pearson, O'Dea.
Sent Off: Lennon (90).
Booked: Gravesen, Balde, McManus.
Goals: Gravesen 24.
Falkirk: Higgins, Ross, Craig (John Stewart 88), Barr, Milne, Dodd, Lima (Latapy 71), Cregg, O'Donnell, Gow, Stokes. Subs Not Used: Lambers, Scobbie, Uras, Mcstay, McManus.
Booked: Ross, Dodd, Milne, Stokes.
Att: 55,000
Ref: I Brines
Story from BBC