2014-04-19: Motherwell 3-3 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2013 – 2014 | 2013-14 Pictures

Trivia

• Bank holiday Easter weekend.
• Celtic on 89pts, Celtic will not now break the 103pts record as achieved by Martin O'Neill. Celtic already League champions
• Back after long time due to break as due to Scottish Cup Semi-finals.
• John Herron playing today at right-back as due to the long list of injuries for the full-back spot.
• Lustig back in the squad after lengthy injury.
• Ex-Celt Rolando Ugolini passed away. RIP
• Glasgow Celtic FC delivered a wreath (wrt Hillsborough tragedy) at Anfield on Sunday past. Laid on the pitch at halftime by Peter Lawwell. 25th anniversary of Hillsborough disaster, RIP 96.
• Ex-Celt Craig Beattie declared bust oweing £70k, we do hope him the best in his situation.
• The Rangers lose Ramsden Cup final v Raith Rovers 1 nil, and then get KO'ed out of Scottish Cup by D Utd the next week. Good. D Utd v St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup final to come (St J's first time)
• Leigh Griffiths is caught on video leading Hibs fans in offensive chant during Edinburgh derby, in a pub singing a song about Rudi Skacel (Hearts Player) 'Rudi Skacel is a refugee etc….'. Unacceptable. The club will come down on him.
• Griffiths subbed on on match very mixed response but not all positive from our own supporters. He scored which helped his case, but he has a lot to make up for. Investigations still ongoing.
• Griffiths involved in some verbals with a Celtic fan behind the goals today. Substantial amount of criticism from Celtic fans towards him.

Review

(by THT of the wiki)
Some comically inept defending ensured a relatively entertaining game with too many Celts in holiday mode. On chances and possession it's hard to argue we didn't deserve to take all three points. Despite Motherwell's hardwork I don't think they offered that much. Most of the damage was self-inflicted.

I'm assuming that unless the manager is prioritising Greece's World Cup plans ahead of our own preparation for the Champions League qualifiers then Pukki's days – and Balde's – are numbered. No extended run of games despite the "meaningless" nature of recent matches. Whether you view it as a lack of opportunity or a lack of talent it seems obvious neither have a future at Celtic Park.

Hopefully the squad return from the summer much sharper and focused than they are currently because an Elfsborg or the like will represent a sterner test than Motherwell.

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Stats

Motherwell Celtic
Possession
57% 43%
90mins
Shots
10 18
On target
5 8
Corners
6 8
Fouls
8 10

Articles

Motherwell 3-3 Celtic
Updated: Saturday, 19 Apr 2014 15:08 | Comments

Comments

John Sutton bagged a brace for the home side
John Sutton bagged a brace for the home side

A dramatic late strike from John Sutton gave Motherwell a share of the spoils in an enthralling 3-3 Scottish Premiership encounter against champions Celtic at Fir Park.

Goals from Sutton and Zaine Francis-Angol either side of a Gunnar Nielsen penalty save from Hoops forward Kris Commons gave the home side a two-goal lead before Anthony Stokes reduced the deficit just before the interval.

Georgios Samaras levelled 10 minutes after the break before Celtic substitute Leigh Griffiths, on for Beram Kayal, grabbed a third in the 84th minute but as the game moved into injury time Sutton grabbed his second from a yard out to take the Steelmen to within three points of second-placed Aberdeen.

Both sides were applauded off the park and rightly so after a wonderful afternoon's entertainment although Hoops manager Neil Lennon will not be too happy about some of his side's defending.

The visitors, with John Herron making his first start as full-back, looked still to be asleep when the Steelmen took the lead.

A long punt by former Celtic skipper Stephen McManus evaded the lackadaisical Efe Ambrose and ended up at the feet of Sutton, who had time and space to set himself for an angled shot which, although not the most powerful, slipped under Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster for his 21st of the season.

The champions slowly asserted themselves and Motherwell dropped back towards their own penalty area but they were gifted a chance in the 13th minute when a slip by Celtic midfielder Kayal in the centre circle allowed Iain Vigurs to send Henri Anier clear.

The Estonian forward, however, could not shrug off the attentions of Ambrose and his shot was blocked for a corner which came to nothing.

Back came Celtic and they had the perfect chance to level when Vigurs barged Stokes in the box, and referee Craig Thomson pointed to the spot. But to roars of approval from the home fans, Nielsen dived low to his left to parry Commons' penalty away for a corner which came to nothing.

There were enough moments of slackness in the visitors' defence to encourage Motherwell when they did venture forward.

Celtic had the bulk of possession and pressure, though, and in the 37th minute it needed a fine interception by Motherwell left-back Stevie Hammell three yards from goal to prevent Stokes' cross reaching the unmarked Commons.

Two minutes from the break Celtic were punished for more ineptitude in their rearguard.

Hammell slung a cross from wide on the left into the box and when left-back Emilio Izaguirre and centre-back Virgil van Dijk failed to deal with it under pressure from Anier, Francis-Angol was able to slide the ball under Forster from six yards.

However, Motherwell could not get to the break without conceding.
With seconds remaining Stokes took a touch on a pass from Commons and curled the ball over Nielsen and into the far corner of the net to deflate the home fans and boost those in green and white.

The Parkhead men were out long before Motherwell for the start of the second half, indicating a sense of urgency.

There was no surprise that Celtic took control but a two-minute spell changed the course of the game

In the 53rd minute Fraser Kerr's header from Vigurs' corner was headed off the line by the perfectly-placed Kayal and two minutes later the scores were level when, from eight yards out, Samaras redirected Stokes' shot from the edge of the box past the helpless Nielsen.

The game sped from end to end with chances for both sides, Forster making a save at his near post from Anier before there was a penalty claim from Motherwell fans who thought Samaras had handled the ball in the box.

With six minutes remaining Griffiths sneaked in behind the Well defence to slam the ball past Nielsen and it looked enough to give the visitors all three points, but with seconds remaining Sutton bundled the ball over the line from close range after being set up by substitute Lionel Ainsworth for a deserved point.

BBC
By Roddie McVake BBC Scotland

John Sutton's injury-time tap-in earned Motherwell a crucial point against Celtic on a day of drama at Fir Park.

Sutton scored early and, after Gunnar Nielsen saved a Kris Commons spot-kick, Zaine Francis-Angol made it 2-0.

Anthony Stokes replied and Georgios Samaras squared it after the break before substitute Leigh Griffiths looked to have won it for Celtic.

The hosts hit back through Sutton, though, to narrow the gap on second-placed Aberdeen to three points again.

Motherwell went into this Premiership encounter having failed to score against Celtic this season, but they snapped that run in the opening stages as Sutton hit his 20th league goal of the campaign.

The striker capitalised on hesitant defending from Efe Ambrose, latching on to a long ball forward from Stephen McManus and smashing a left-foot drive through goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Henri Anier passed up a great chance to double Well's lead following a bad error in midfield by Beram Kayal.
Samaras goal

Georgios Samaras draws Celtic level

The Israeli fell to gift possession to the home side, but after beating Virgil van Dijk to get himself into the box, Anier took too long to pull the trigger and eventually his effort was blocked by Ambrose.

Celtic were awarded a spot-kick when Iain Vigurs downed Stokes in the area, but Nielsen produced a superb save to keep out Commons' effort, diving low to his left to turn it round the post.

Well doubled their tally when a hopeful ball into the box from deep caught out the Celtic defence. Anier raced in on goal and, when the ball broke to Francis-Angol, he slid it between Forster's legs from close range.

Neil Lennon's side replied immediately, with Stokes lifting the ball into the top corner from the tightest of angles after swapping passes with Scott Brown.

The hosts had the first real chance of the second half, but Sutton's glancing header was cleared off the line by Kayal.

It was 2-2 soon after when a long throw from Commons eventually fell to Stokes, whose shot was turned in by Samaras from close range.

Griffiths entered the action for the visitors with Kayal making way, and Amido Balde came on for John Herron, who had made his first start for the Glasgow club.

Commons blazed well over the bar from 10 yards, but Celtic's third was merely delayed as Griffiths found the bottom corner with a left-foot shot after the ball broke to him in the box.

Well were not finished, though, and they secured a point in injury time when Sutton finished at the back post after a great run and pass from substitute Lionel Ainsworth.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Motherwell 3, Celtic 3.
90:00 +3:06 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Motherwell 3, Celtic 3.
90:00 +1:18 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Motherwell 3, Celtic 3. John Sutton (Motherwell) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lionel Ainsworth with a cross.
89:57

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
89:26

Foul by Stephen McManus (Motherwell).
89:26

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88:25 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Motherwell. Craig Moore replaces Henri Anier.
88:14 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Motherwell. Lionel Ainsworth replaces Jack Leitch.
87:40

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gunnar Nielsen.
87:07

Foul by Steven Hammell (Motherwell).
87:07

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85:05 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Motherwell 2, Celtic 3. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
81:07

Foul by Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell).
81:07

Georgios Samaras (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
80:39

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Fraser Forster.
80:14

Attempt saved. Henri Anier (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
77:56

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
74:05

Henri Anier (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
74:05

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
73:13 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Amido Baldé replaces John Herron.
72:34

Foul by Steven Hammell (Motherwell).
72:34

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
69:49

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
68:47

Jack Leitch (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
68:47

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
66:44

Foul by Henri Anier (Motherwell).
66:44

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
65:54 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Beram Kayal.
64:55

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Steven Hammell.
64:41

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
63:51

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
62:58

Attempt saved. Scott Brown (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
61:51

John Sutton (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
61:51

Foul by John Herron (Celtic).
61:38

Attempt saved. Beram Kayal (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
60:22

Attempt missed. Jack Leitch (Motherwell) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
59:00

Zaine Francis-Angol (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the right wing.
58:55

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
58:00

John Herron (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
57:55

Foul by Iain Vigurs (Motherwell).
56:58

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.
56:40

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen McManus.
55:43 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Motherwell 2, Celtic 2. Georgios Samaras (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Anthony Stokes.
53:27

Attempt blocked. Fraser Kerr (Motherwell) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.
52:36

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
51:31

John Sutton (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
51:31

Foul by John Herron (Celtic).
51:15

Attempt saved. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
50:18

Foul by Steven Hammell (Motherwell).
50:18

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
49:20

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
48:48

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Sutton.
45:00

Second Half begins Motherwell 2, Celtic 1.
45:00 +1:22 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Motherwell 2, Celtic 1.
45:00 +0:21 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Motherwell 2, Celtic 1. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left to the top right corner. Assisted by Scott Brown.
43:59 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Motherwell 2, Celtic 0. Zaine Francis-Angol (Motherwell) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal.
41:17

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
40:19

Steven Hammell (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:19

Foul by John Herron (Celtic).
38:52

Attempt missed. Beram Kayal (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
32:33

Attempt missed. Georgios Samaras (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
30:06

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Iain Vigurs.
29:47

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Reid.
29:15

Attempt blocked. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
27:13

Stephen McManus (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
27:13

Foul by John Herron (Celtic).
25:45

Attempt missed. Jack Leitch (Motherwell) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
24:55

Hand ball by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
24:02

Attempt missed. John Sutton (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
23:06

Hand ball by Kris Commons (Celtic).
22:41

Attempt missed. Iain Vigurs (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
22:00

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gunnar Nielsen.
21:03

Penalty saved! Kris Commons (Celtic) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
20:27

Penalty Celtic. Anthony Stokes draws a foul in the penalty area.
19:56

Penalty conceded by Iain Vigurs (Motherwell) after a foul in the penalty area.
18:00

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
15:39

Attempt blocked. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
13:56

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
13:38

Attempt blocked. Henri Anier (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
9:24

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jack Leitch.
7:05

Foul by Beram Kayal (Celtic).
7:05

Zaine Francis-Angol (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
4:02 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Motherwell 1, Celtic 0. John Sutton (Motherwell) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Stephen McManus.
1:58

Attempt missed. Georgios Samaras (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.