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Trivia
- A single strike by Henrik Larsson was enough to give Celtic their ninth victory in a row over Dunfermline Athletic.
- Martin O'Neill admitted that the winter break could not come soon enough – and that was all too apparent after the less-than-impressive champions ground out a victory.
Review
Dunfermline were first to threaten, Brewster flicking on a long ball from Scott Thomson and Crawford's low drive from 20 yards being turned wide by the outstretched hand of Magnus Hedman.
Crawford then pounced on a mix-up between Mjallby and Bobo Balde and his snap-shot from the edge of the box flew a couple of yards over.
But Celtic took the lead with virtually their first attack on goal. Hartson beat Scott Walker in the air, Chris Sutton flicked the ball into the box and Larsson caught out Andrius Skerla and touched the ball past advancing goalkeeper Derek Stillie.
Celtic were boosted by the goal and forced a series of corners, but the Pars weathered the storm and were given another chance by indecision in the home central defence.
Celtic dominated possession early in the second half and a Hartson header was dummied by Sutton only for Skerla to clear off the line.
The Pars should have equalised when a superb chip from Crawford sent Bullen clear, but the striker screwed his shot wide from just inside the box.
Stillie then came to Dunfermline's rescue, diving to push a powerful drive from Alan Thompson wide of the post.
Teams
Celtic:-
Hedman, Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lambert, Petrov (Guppy 61), Sutton, Thompson, Larsson, Hartson (McNamara 75).
Subs not used:- Gould, Maloney, Crainey.
Goal:- Larsson 19.
Dunfermline:-
Stillie, Skerla, Walker (Dair 77), Scott Wilson, Bullen, Nicholson, Scott Thomson, Mason (Dempsey 53), McGroarty, Crawford, Brewster (Hampshire 83).
Subs not used:- Ruitenbeek, Karnebeek.
Booked:- Mason, Walker, Skerla.
Att:- 58,387
Ref:- S Dougal.
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BBC
Sunday, 29 December, 2002, 16:50 GMT
Celtic edge Dunfermline
Chris Sutton congratulates Henrik Larsson after the opening goal
Celtic 1-0 Dunfermline Athletic
A single strike by Henrik Larsson was enough to give Celtic their ninth victory in a row over Dunfermline Athletic.
But the Pars will rue several missed chances as they sought their first win over Celtic since 1997.
Larsson pounced on some slack defending to open the scoring after 19 minutes to keep the champions within a point of Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers.
But, apart from the three points, what will have pleased boss Martin O'Neill most will be the first start since August for Swedish defender Johan Mjallby following his injury against Basle.
Dunfermline have impressed many by their challenge for a Uefa Cup place but arrived on the back of a disappointing home defeat by Kilmarnock.
Gary Dempsey gives chase to Celtic's fit-again Johan Mjallby
Pars boss Jimmy Calderwood had admitted he was running out of formations as he sought a means of beating the champions.
This time, he played Lee Bullen up front alongside Craig Brewster, with normal strike partner Stevie Crawford playing in an advanced midfield position.
It worked in the early stages, with the visitors dominating possession.
Dunfermline were first to threaten, Brewster flicking on a long ball from Scott Thomson and Crawford's low drive from 20 yards being turned wide by the outstretched hand of Magnus Hedman.
Crawford then pounced on a mix-up between Mjallby and Bobo Balde and his snap-shot from the edge of the box flew a couple of yards over.
But Celtic took the lead with virtually their first attack on goal.
Hartson beat Scott Walker in the air, Chris Sutton flicked the ball into the box and Larsson caught out Andrius Skerla and touched the ball past advancing goalkeeper Derek Stillie.
Celtic were boosted by the goal and forced a series of corners, but the Pars weathered the storm and were given another chance by indecision in the home central defence.
Dunfermline perhaps should have equalised when Thomson's low cross found Crawford at the front of the six-yard box, but his flick flew wide of the far post.
Celtic dominated possession early in the second half and a Hartson header was dummied by Sutton only for Skerla to clear off the line.
Dunfermline were relying on the break and were angered when referee Stuart Dougal failed to see Brewster's shirt being tugged as he chased a through ball.
The Pars should have equalised when a superb chip from Crawford sent Bullen clear, but the striker screwed his shot wide from just inside the box.
Stillie then came to Dunfermline's rescue, diving to push a powerful drive from Alan Thompson wide of the post.
Celtic: Hedman, Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lambert, Petrov (Guppy 61), Sutton, Thompson, Larsson, Hartson (McNamara 75).
Subs Not Used: Gould, Maloney, Crainey.
Dunfermline: Stillie, Skerla, Walker (Dair 77), Scott Wilson, Bullen, Nicholson, Scott Thomson, Mason (Dempsey 53), McGroarty, Crawford, Brewster (Hampshire 83).
Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, Karnebeek.
Booked: Mason, Walker, Skerla.
Attendance: 58,387
Referee: S Dougal.