2012-11-28: Hearts 0-4 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic clear at top of the league with still game in hand. Who says we had a crisis.
• Great win after loss last weekend. Hearts haven't scored against Celtic for 5 league games.
• Lennon's 100th win as Celtic manager.
• Concerns grow over policing of Celtic fans being heavy handed with a strangely huge number of police at Celtic end with nominal number stewarding Hearts fans. Growing unhealthy tension between some Celtic fans (e.g. GB) and stewards/police. Admittedly some idiots brought in flares to the away end which hasn't helped, esp after a near disaster at Hamburg's match last weekend in Germany where flares started up a fire and caused a panic.
• Lennon happy after small little go with some Celtic fans last weekend. All a storm in a teacup.
• Next European opponents, Spartak Moscow, have just sacked their manager. At this point you can argue either way if good or bad for Celtic in the vital game.
• Scotland rugby manager Andy Robinson quits after long line of poor results, losing to Tonga at home was embarrassingly bad. So both football and rugby managers gone from Scotland. Doesn't solve underlying problems.

Review

(davedarave of KDS)
A much more high tempo performance, rewarded by a few goals. Kayal's work rate should be the blueprint going forward. I thought he really showed that he knew what kind of effort the support are looking for. If every player on the park worked that hard, rewards will come. And they did.

The early goal helped, and was created by the much maligned Chris Commons. He gets pelters on here, but he does create chances for the strikers.

All the shampoo about Hooper on here at times is pitiful. He's proved to be a great goal scorer if the team supply him with decent chances. Hooper and Lassad didn't have much of a chance to forge anything together tonight because the supply was very poor.

The 2nd and 3rd goals came from sheer pressure on their penalty box, so things can only get better. Wilson and Ambrose have their moments, but after years of "fear" in the centre of defence, they could be a partnership that could grow. They've only been playing together half a season!! They could settle into a very solid base for the defence, ergo the team.

Since this time last year, I was thinking Vic would be our most saleable asset, but FF is going to get noticed by other big clubs if he continues this fantastic vein of form. If we make the last 16, which I think we will, then I can't wait for the buzz that will create. Watching French and English top flight leagues makes me think we have a chance of going further, but don't watch much German or Spanish football, so I'm probably wrong

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Stats

Heart of Midlothian Celtic
Possession
54% 46%
90mins

Shots
13 9

On target
9 5

Corners
7 1

Fouls
9 13

Articles

Celtic return to form with ruthless four-goal rout of Hearts

Guardian report

Scottish Premier League
Hearts 0
Celtic 4

Lassad 10,
Lustig 22,
Stevenson (og) 30,
Hooper 83

Ewan Murray at Tynecastle
The Guardian, Wednesday 28 November 2012 21.40 GMT
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Lassad, left, expertly converted Celtic's first goal at Hearts in the Scottish Premier League
Lassad, left, expertly converted Celtic's first goal at the back post against Hearts in the Scottish Premier League. Photograph: David Moir/Reuters

Celtic atoned for Saturday's home loss to Inverness in the most ruthless of styles. Within 30 first-half minutes, three points had been secured against Hearts in Edinburgh.

This was clinical stuff from Neil Lennon's team, and the perfect response to the Celtic manager's complaints about inconsistent domestic form. For all Celtic's occasional troubles, they remain clear at the summit of the Scottish Premier League. Here, Celtic were at their uncompromising best.

Hearts have played worse this season and won; they continue to lack bite in front of goal, however, which will be exposed against opposition of Celtic's calibre.

"I have told the players I don't want to keep looking for a reaction, I want us to be consistent," Lennon said. "I know we are capable of that kind of performance."

Hearts' biggest battles at present are being fought off the field, with the club's financial position far from safe. Indeed, it has taken the admirable efforts of the Hearts support to secure fiscal matters in the short-term.

Such matters are again due to come into sharp focus on Thursday, with the resumption in Edinburgh of a £1.75m tax tribunal between Hearts and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

The hosts had opened brightly before Celtic took the lead. Kris Commons was the architect, with a cross from the left flank that was expertly converted at the back post by Lassad. To the Tunisian's credit, he had made a difficult finish appear perfectly easy.

Hearts should have offered an instant reply. Instead, Callum Paterson failed to connect from three yards out when seeking to meet a Ryan Stevenson free-kick. That wastefulness was seriously costly. As the Hearts defence failed to clear their lines, Mikael Lustig slammed the second goal into Jamie MacDonald's bottom right-hand corner.

Hearts again mounted a response, this time finding Celtic's goalkeeper Fraser Forster in outstanding form. Forster produced an excellent double to deny Stevenson's free-kick and a rebound header from Marius Zaliukas.

Stevenson's next intervention was even more unfortunate. The home midfielder deflected a Charlie Mulgrew cross past MacDonald and the contest was over.

Forster again produced acrobatics in the Celtic goal, five minutes after the restart, to turn a fierce, low Kevin McHattie free-kick just wide of the post.

In general though, and unsurprisingly given Celtic's earlier potency, the second period was a non-event. There was time for a late Celtic fourth as Gary Hooper volleyed a perfect Mulgrew cross past MacDonald, and for Hearts to waste a penalty chance as Forster denied Zaliukas

BBC
By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland at Tynecastle

Leaders Celtic returned to form in the Scottish Premier League with a ruthless attacking display against Hearts.

Lassad gave them an early lead, beating Jamie MacDonald at his near post.

As Hearts passed up chances, Celtic extended their lead through Mikael Lustig's close-range strike and a Ryan Stevenson own goal.

Gary Hooper added a late fourth and Fraser Forster rounded off a fine individual performance by saving a Marius Zaliukas penalty.

The atmosphere inside Tynecastle was typically electric for such an occasion from the outset and the visitors' brighter start reflected their noisier support.

MacDonald had already saved a point-blank Kris Commons effort before Celtic took a 10th-minute lead in splendid fashion.

Beram Kayal spread the ball wide to the left and when Kris Commons curled a cross deep to the back post, Lassad swept a composed volley past the keeper.
Fraser Forster saves Marius Zaliukas's penalty

Forster capped a superb display with a penalty save

Celtic had been showing none of the lackadaisical play that has often afflicted them in the SPL this season, but their defence went to sleep as Hearts should have recorded a swift response.

Stevenson swung a free-kick seemingly onto the head of the unmarked Callum Paterson, but the striker somehow contrived to miss the ball.

The cost of that miss was laid bare with 22 minutes gone as Celtic produced another slick passing move – this time down the right – and though Hearts repelled the initial danger, Lustig pounced on the loose ball to knock past MacDonald.

As formidable as Celtic were looking on the front foot, they still required the excellence of Fraser Forster to maintain their two-goal lead.

The England-squad keeper pushed away a ferocious Stevenson free-kick but it was his reaction to spring up and keep out Marius Zaliukas's header on the rebound that was truly impressive.

Hearts were competing doggedly but found themselves three goals down as the half-hour ticked by.
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Charlie Mulgrew showed great appetite to prevent a loose ball from crossing the goal-line, firing it across goal and Stevenson, in his desperation to block, succeeded only in diverting it past MacDonald and into the net.

Hearts could justifiably argue that reflected harshly on the balance of play, but Celtic had delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing.

The home side again had cause to wonder what they had to do to score as Forster pulled off another fabulous save at the beginning of the second half, getting down to his right to turn a Kevin McHattie free-kick round the post.

The second period was unsurprisingly less frenetic than the first, with Hearts unable to make a significant impression on the Celtic rearguard.

They did claim for a penalty – not for the first time in the match – when the ball bounced up onto the arm of Efe Ambrose, but referee Willie Collum adjudged it not to have been deliberate.
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That was with just over a quarter-of-an-hour to play and shortly afterwards the Hearts substitute Mehdi Taouil volleyed into the arms of Forster.

As full-time approached, MacDonald saved well from Commons, but as the ball was played back into the box by Mulgrew, Hooper couldn't miss from inside the six-yard box.

Hearts were handed an opportunity to notch a consolation goal from the penalty spot when Kelvin Wilson brought down Stevenson, but the impeccable Forster guessed correctly to save Zaliukas's spot-kick.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:07 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.
90:00 +0:07

Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons, clearance made by Scott Robinson.
88:22

Adam Matthews fouled by Callum Paterson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
88:22 Penalty

Penalty taken by Marius Zaliukas is saved by Fraser Forster. Hearts 0-4 Celtic.
87:40 Booking

Booking Kelvin Wilson is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
87:25

Ryan Stevenson fouled by Kelvin Wilson, the ref awards a Penalty.
82:50

Charlie Mulgrew provided the assist for the goal.
82:50 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Hearts 0 – 4 Celtic Goal scored by Gary Hooper from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hearts 0-4 Celtic.
79:26

Direct free kick taken by Kevin McHattie.
79:26 Substitution

Substitution Georgios Samaras replaces Lassad Nouioui.
79:26

Unfair challenge on Marius Zaliukas by Beram Kayal results in a free kick.
77:56

Scott Robinson has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the goal.
77:32

Short corner worked by Andrew Driver, clearance by Victor Wanyama.
76:04

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
73:24

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Andrew Driver.
72:12

Mehdi Taouil produces a volleyed right-footed shot from 18 yards. Save by Fraser Forster.
70:53

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver, clearance made by Kelvin Wilson.
70:53 Booking

Booking Callum Paterson goes into the book for dissent.
67:52 Substitution

Substitution Scott Brown on for Joe Ledley.
67:52 Substitution

Substitution Adam Matthews joins the action as a substitute, replacing Mikael Lustig.
67:23 Substitution

Substitution Andrew Driver on for Jamie Walker.
63:55

Victor Wanyama has an effort at goal from long distance that misses to the right of the goal.
62:53 Substitution

Substitution Dylan McGowan leaves the field to be replaced by Scott Robinson.
60:31

Kris Commons fouled by Dylan McGowan, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
58:54

Lassad Nouioui takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
58:23

Shot by Kris Commons from just outside the area goes over the net.
57:02

Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
57:02 Substitution

Substitution Jason Holt leaves the field to be replaced by Mehdi Taouil.
57:02

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Darren Barr.
55:42

The assistant referee flags for offside against Lassad Nouioui. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
51:20

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mikael Lustig by Ryan Stevenson. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
47:38

Kelvin Wilson challenges Jason Holt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Strike comes in from Kevin McHattie from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Kevin McHattie, clearance made by Victor Wanyama. Dylan McGowan takes a shot. Blocked by Efe Ambrose.
46:29

Corner taken by Kevin McHattie, Fraser Forster makes a save.
45:01

The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +0:02 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.
44:02

Ryan McGowan challenges Victor Wanyama unfairly and gives away a free kick. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
41:48

Joe Ledley is ruled offside. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
37:05

Unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Ryan McGowan results in a free kick. Strike comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick, clearance by Andy Webster.
36:19

Foul by Andy Webster on Lassad Nouioui, free kick awarded. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
36:06

Jason Holt takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
35:17

Kevin McHattie produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster.
35:17 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Victor Wanyama for unsporting behaviour.
35:16

Foul by Victor Wanyama on Jamie Walker, free kick awarded.
34:27

Ryan McGowan fouled by Beram Kayal, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster.
32:07

Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Ryan Stevenson.
32:07 Booking

Booking Efe Ambrose is given a yellow card.
32:00

Unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Efe Ambrose results in a free kick.
29:57 Goal scored

Goal – Ryan Stevenson – Hearts 0 – 3 Celtic Ryan Stevenson concedes an unfortunate own goal. Hearts 0-3 Celtic.
27:08

Victor Wanyama gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Stevenson. Ryan Stevenson produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster.
25:38

Beram Kayal concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Walker. Direct free kick taken by Kevin McHattie.
23:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kris Commons on Callum Paterson. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Ryan Stevenson, fantastic save by Fraser Forster. Marius Zaliukas takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster. Ryan McGowan produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand post.
21:26 Goal scored

Goal – Mikael Lustig – Hearts 0 – 2 Celtic Mikael Lustig scores a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hearts 0-2 Celtic.
20:06

Shot on goal by Charlie Mulgrew from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
17:34

Foul by Joe Ledley on Ryan McGowan, free kick awarded. Ryan Stevenson restarts play with the free kick.
16:38

Jamie Walker concedes a free kick for a foul on Charlie Mulgrew. Direct free kick taken by Kris Commons.
16:17

Kelvin Wilson fouled by Kevin McHattie, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
13:39

Joe Ledley concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Walker. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Ryan Stevenson.
12:02

Kelvin Wilson challenges Ryan McGowan unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kevin McHattie produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
9:17

The assist for the goal came from Kris Commons.
9:17 Goal scored

Goal – Lassad Nouioui – Hearts 0 – 1 Celtic Lassad Nouioui gets on the score sheet with a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hearts 0-1 Celtic.
6:41

Corner taken by Jamie Walker from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Gary Hooper. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Jamie Walker. Free kick awarded for a foul by Kelvin Wilson on Callum Paterson. Andy Webster takes the direct free kick.
3:56

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
0:00

The game begins.

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