2003-05-07: Motherwell 0-4 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2002 – 2003 | 2002-2003 Pictures

Trivia

  • This match was re-arranged from 15th February.
    Celtic moved to the top of the Premier League.
    Motherwell were reduced to 10 men when Derek Adams saw red in the first half.
    It was their 11th red card of the season.
    Motherwell players punched and kicked their way through this match while their sectarian fans chanted constant abuse at Neil Lennon.

Review

Heavy rain made for a greasy playing surface and Well keeper Stevie Woods was relieved to see a deflected Alan Thompson free-kick slither past his post in the early stages. Motherwell were given a further fright after eight minutes when Henrik Larsson found himself unmarked from a corner kick but the Celtic striker somehow stabbed the ball wide from just a yard out. Four minutes later, the outstretched foot of Woods stopped Lambert's net-bound shot after Larsson had caused more consternation in the Well penalty area.
'Well were dealt a blow when David Cowan was stretchered off the park, following a challenge with Lambert. William Kinniburgh came off the bench to replace him, and things were to get worse for Well on the half hour when Adams was sent off for flinging an elbow at Thompson.
Celtic went in front after 35 minutes when Petrov latched on to a Larsson pass and fired in a low, angled shot that flew under the body of Woods.
Five minutes into the second half Shaun Maloney was inches away from increasing Celtic's lead when his volley from 15 yards bobbled wide of the target. With 55 minutes on the clock Petrov and Larsson exchanged neat passes and the Bulgarian international burst into the Well penalty box from the left before curling a sweet shot into the opposite corner of the net.
Five minutes later a slick move involving Lambert, Larsson and Maloney ended with the Celtic captain sweeping the ball home from eight yards.
Lambert was at it again in the 64th minute when he controlled a Maloney pass on his chest and sent a wonderful chipped effort over the head of Woods from the edge of the penalty area.
Motherwell had no answer to Celtic's possession football and were guilty of several bad tackles as the cautions added up.

Teams

Motherwell:-
Woods, Corrigan, Partridge, Vaughan, Hammell, Cowan (Kinniburgh 19), Adams, Leitch, Pearson, McFadden (Offiong 70), Clarkson (Lehmann 76).
Subs not used:- Lasley, Dubourdeau.
Sent Off:- Adams (31).
Booked:- Corrigan, Vaughan, McFadden, Partridge.

Celtic:-
Broto, McNamara, Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Sylla 83), Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, Thompson (Crainey 90), Maloney (Smith 80), Larsson.
Subs not used:- Marshall, Varga.
Goals:- Petrov 36, 56, Lambert 61,65.
Booked:- Lennon.

Att:- 12,037
Ref:- D McDonald.

Articles

Pictures

Articles

Celtic delight O'Neill

Paul Lambert celebrates the second of his two goals

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill praised his side's temperament as he watched his men go to the top of the Premier League for the first time in 2003.

The defending champions went to Fir Park needing a win and a four goal swing in goal difference to take over from Rangers at the top of the heap.

A brace apiece from Stilian Petrov and Paul Lambert ensured that was exactly what happened as 10-man Motherwell were dispatched 4-0.

The home side, who are fighting for points at the bottom of the league, adopted an aggressive approach and paid the price when Derek Adams saw red after half an hour.

To score four while missing Hartson and Sutton, and to concede none without big Johan, was magnificent

Four other Motherwell players were shown yellow cards as the hot-headed home side were picked apart by Celtic's precision passing.

"There were a couple of incidents and it's not nice to see some of the challenges," O'Neill told BBC Radio Scotland.

"And they followed that up with the sending off. That put them on the back foot.

"The most important thing is that in a cauldron atmosphere with both sides playing to win the game and Motherwell fighting for their lives at the bottom was to keep our discipline and I thought we showed that.

"Motherwell have showed they could be quite physical as well as good because they have beaten both the Old Firm this season."
Report: Motherwell 0-4 Celtic

Celtic now lead Rangers by one goal with both sides level on points and each having three games to play.

"We're there if only for a day or so," added O'Neill. "I'm pleased but I would have taken any win at all tonight.

"At this stage you can't concern yourself with goal difference. That only comes to it at the end.

"It was a wonderful performance and we scored some fantastic goals coming from unlikely quarters. The whole team played wonderfully well."

Celtic take over at top

Celtic skipper Paul Lambert scored two wonderful goals
Motherwell 0-4 Celtic

Celtic moved to the top of the Premier League with a convincing win over hot-tempered Motherwell at Fir Park.

Martin O'Neill's side now lead Rangers on goal difference thanks to two goals apiece from Stilian Petrov and Paul Lambert.

Motherwell's callow side once again hit the self-destruct button with a rash of bad tackles and bookings and the home team were reduced to 10 men when Derek Adams saw red in the first half.

It was the 11th red card of the season for Terry Butcher's side who remain at the bottom of the league, one point behind Dundee United.

O'Neill praise for Celtic discipline
Heavy rain made for a greasy playing surface and Well keeper Stevie Woods was relieved to see a deflected Alan Thompson free-kick slither past his post in the early stages.

The home side were given a further fright after eight minutes when Henrik Larsson found himself unmarked from a corner kick but the prolific Celtic striker somehow stabbed the ball wide from just a yard out.

Four minutes later, the outstretched foot of Woods stopped Lambert's net-bound shot after Larsson had caused more consternation in the Well penalty area.

The home side were dealt a blow when David Cowan was stretchered off the park, following a challenge with Lambert. William Kinniburgh came off the bench.

Things were to get worse for Well on the half hour when Adams was sent off for flinging an elbow at Thompson.

Despite losing a man, Motherwell pushed on valiantly and a rasping shot from Martyn Corrigan brought out a wonderful save from Javier Sanchez Broto.

However, Celtic went in front after 35 minutes when Petrov latched on to a Larsson pass and fired in a low, angled shot that flew under the body of Woods.

Derek Adams was sent off after 30 minutes
Five minutes into the second half Shaun Maloney was inches away from increasing Celtic's lead when his volley from 15 yards bobbled wide of the target.

With 55 minutes on the clock Petrov and Larsson exchanged neat passes and the Bulgarian international burst into the Well penalty box from the left before curling a sweet shot into the opposite corner of the net.

Five minutes later a slick move involving Lambert, Larsson and Maloney ended with the Celtic captain sweeping the ball home from eight yards.

Lambert was at it again in the 64th minute when he controlled a Maloney pass on his chest and sent a wonderful chipped effort over the head of Woods from the edge of the penalty area.

Motherwell had no answer to Celtic's swift possession football and were guilty of several bad tackles as the cautions added up.

Four minutes from time Larsson blasted a shot over the bar from a good position, following some neat wing play from substitute Jamie Smith.

In the 90th minute Motherwell sub Richard Offiong almost snatched a goal that would have seen Rangers remain on top but Broto managed to palm away the youngster's shot.

Motherwell: Woods, Corrigan, Partridge, Vaughan, Hammell, Cowan (Kinniburgh 19), Adams, Leitch, Pearson, McFadden (Offiong 70), Clarkson (Lehmann 76).
Subs Not Used: Lasley, Dubourdeau.

Sent Off: Adams (31). Booked: Corrigan, Vaughan, McFadden, Partridge.

Celtic: Broto, McNamara, Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Sylla 83), Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, Thompson (Crainey 90), Maloney (Smith 80), Larsson.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Varga.

Booked: Lennon.

Attendance: 12,037
Referee: D McDonald