Motherwell 1 Celtic 2
00:00
WELCOME to www.celticfc.net for today’s SPL match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park. Kick off is 12.30pm.
The Hoops can move eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the table if they beat Mark McGhee’s side.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has made one change to his side, with captain Stephen McManus losing his fitness battle. Bobo Balde comes in to partner Gary Caldwell in central defence.
TODAY’S TEAMS:
MOTHERWELL: Daniels, McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell; Fitzpatrick, Malcolm; Porter, Clarkson, Smith, Lasley
Subs: Smith, Hughes, McGarry, Murphy, McCormack, Meechan, Lappin
CELTIC: Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, Balde, Naylor; Nakamura, Robson, Hartley, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink
Subs: M.Brown, S.Brown, O’Dea, Samaras, Hutchinson, Donati, Wilson
00:01
Celtic kick off, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is captaining the Hoops
02:00
McGeady embarks on his first run of the afternoon, but Motherwell crowd him out
04:00
Nakamura wins a free-kick and Caldwell fires over the bar. The offside flag is up in any case
05:00
Motherwell's Darren Smith fires a cross to the back post, but Fitzpatrick's header floats wide
07:00
McDonald accepts Nakamura's pass and floats a cross to McGeady, but Motherwell block his shot
10:00
Clarkson chops down Nakamura for the third time as tackles fly in all over the pitch
11:00
Lasley's shot is deflected narrowly wide as Motherwell put some pressure on Celtic
11:00
Lasley's corner is headed clear by Caldwell
15:00
Chances remain scarce as the game continues at a cracking pace
16:00
Well's Smith tries to hit Celtic on the break, but McGeady shows incredible pace to chase back
19:00
McGeady and McDonald combine to win a throw and the ball is worked to Hinkel. His shot flies past the post
20:00
McDonald wins a free-kick on the right wing and Motherwell keeper Daniels just manages to clear the danger. McGeady is then harshly penalised for a challenge on Clarkson
21:00
Motherwell win a corner and Caldwell again clears
23:00
Hartley wins a free-kick on the left. Robson crosses and the Celtic players are caught offside
24:00
Hammell's corner is headed away by Caldwell.
25:00
Lasley's corner is cleared by Hinkel as Celtic have to cope with some pressure
26:00
Motherwell force a fourth corner in succession. Caldwell again meets the delivery
27:00
Nakamura's free-kick is headed back across goal by Caldwell and McDonald's shot from a narrow angle is blocked
27:00
Nakamura and Vennegoor of Hesselink almost combine to create an opening
30:00
McGeady is upended by McLean, but Robson's free-kick is cleared
35:00
Motherwell win a corner on the right flank. Lasley's centre is headed over by McLean
38:00
Motherwell's Fitzpatrick wastes the best chance of the match. Smith beats Naylor and cuts the ball back, but the midfielder's shot goes straight at Boruc
40:00
Robson is booked for a late challenge on Fitzpatrick
43:00
Motherwell force another corner. Lasley again takes it and Balde heads away
45:00
HALF-TIME: Motherwell 0 Celtic 0 - Few chances in a hard-fought first half
45:01
Motherwell kick off second half. There are no changes to the side.
47:00
Motherwell force an early corner. Balde clears the danger and McGeady can't make the most of a breakaway. The crowd is 9158.
50:00
Motherwell again win a corner on the right flank. Clarkson eventually tries to chip Boruc, but the Pole saves
53:00
Nakmura almost releases McGeady, but Reynolds clears
55:00
Hammell's long throw evades Balde but Caldwell clears up the park
57:00
Nakamura flights a pass to Vennegoor of Hesselink but the Dutchman is penalised for a foul on Craigan
59:00
McGeady skips past two Motherwell defenders and sends a cross to the back post. Daniels collects under pressure
60:00
GOAL! Motherwell 1 Celtic 0 - Chris Porter heads home from six yards to give the home side the lead at Fir Park.
62:00
GOAL! Motherwell 1 Celtic 1 - SCOTT McDONALD - The Australian heads home his 30th goal of the season after great work from Hartley and Nakamura. It's the perfect response from Celtic
65:00
Celtic subs - Samaras and Brown on for Nakamura and Vennegoor of Hesselink
67:00
Samaras and McGeady exchange passes, but the winger's cross is too heavy for the Greek
69:00
Celtic continue to press for the second goal.
70:00
Balde is forced to concede a corner.Caldwell eventually clears
73:00
Samaras picks out McGeady at the corner of the box. McLean crowds him out. At the other end, Hartley does well to clear the danger
74:00
Brown tries a shot from the corner of the box, but the ball swerves past the post.
74:00
Motherwell sub - McCormack on for Smith
76:00
Celtic sub - Wilson on for Naylor
77:00
McDonald wins a foul on the left wing. Robson's free-kick eventually goes for a corner.
79:00
GOAL1 GEORGIOS SAMARAS - MOTHERWELL 1 CELTIC 2 - Robson's corner finds the Greek striker at the back post and he heads home.
80:00
McGeady skins three Motherwell players but his cross is cleared
82:00
Motherwell sub - Hughes on for Clarkson
85:00
Hinkel floats a pass through to Hartley, who is being tugged by Craigan as he tries to break free
86:00
Balde concedes a corner. Hammell throws a cross in and the Guinean heads clear.
86:00
Motherwell sub - Murphy on for Lasley
87:00
Brown shows immense determination to win a throw deep in the Motherwell half, but the move comes to nothing
90:00
Balde is harshly penalised for a barge on Porter. The Motherwell attack ends with Hammell flashing a shot wide
90:00
Balde gives away a free-kick. The ball bouncs around the Celtic box. Motherwell win two corners but Celtic come through it
90:00
It's tense at Fir Park as the seconds tick down.
90:00
Samaras wins a free-kick on the edge of the box as the three minutes of extra time come and go.
90:00
FULL-TIME: MOTHERWELL 1 CELTIC 2 - Fantastic win for the reigning champions. Chris Porter had put Well ahead, but goals from Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras gave Celtic the win.