Kyogo and Liel Abada grabbed stunning last-gasp goals as champions Celtic dramatically extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to seven points.
The Japanese headed home from close range with the clock on 90 minutes after Dundee United almost produced a Parkhead shock before his Israeli buddy sealed the deal in an enthralling finale. Sead Haksabanovic’s first two Celtic goals before half-time had the hosts in front and Ange Postecoglou’s Premiership pacesetters were always in control of the contest on home soil. Yet a VAR awarded penalty which was converted by Steven Fletcher kept the league’s bottom side in the game until and left them a chance to land a shock.
Indeed, had sub Greg Taylor not cleared off the line or Ryan Edwards’ header not hit a post in the closing stages, Liam Fox’s men would have grabbed their second equaliser of the day even before Dylan Levitt’s cross went straight in with four minutes to go. Celtic, though, just refused to give it up. After a 95th minute winner at St Johnstone earlier in the term, Kyogo and Abada pulled it out of the fire again.
Although it was a dramatic ending, anything other than success would have been dreadfully unfair on the hosts who had a whole range of opportunities to put the game to bed at 2-1 during the second period. Celtic led at the break after a first-half disrupted by two lengthy VAR checks. Jota, who was back in the starting line-up after his midweek goal in the Bernabeu, should have opened the scoring when knocking an Anthony Ralston cross wide.
But the Portuguese turned creator for Haksabanovic to score his first after returning a Reo Hatate pass back across the goal. United hit back immediately, though, as VAR first again got involved. Fletcher’s header rattled against the raised elbow of Alexandro Bernabei inside the box and referee David Dickinson was asked to have a look at the screen. Penalty was awarded and Fletcher rifled home the spot kick to level.
Giorgos Giakoumakis’ header from a Jota cross was beaten away by keeper Mark Birighitti before VAR’s second big check to see if Craig Sibbald’s challenge on the Greek was a red-card offence. It was deemed not.
The constant stoppages helped United and denied Celtic rhythm. Postecoglou’s outstretched arms when Birighitti went down for treatment after a collision with colleague Scott McMann displayed his frustration at the stop-start event.
Birighitti’s next act, however, was to pick the ball out of the net as Haksabanovic struck again. Matt O’Riley’s floated cross made its way to the attacker who struck it instantly beyond the keeper, who got a hand to the effort without stopping it as it bounced off the inside of his left-hand post and rolled over the line.
David Turnbull had a shot diverted wide just before the break, Giakoumakis also missed the target soon after resumption from a header and O’Riley a shot saved.
Turnbull came even closer when his deft header after brilliant Jota play almost squirmed over the line before Birighitti grabbed it and then he curled just too high and wide.
O’Riley was next to have a half volley saved by Birighitti and Kyogo, who took over from Giakoumakis, was next to go close with a glancing header.
As long as there was just one goal in it, United always had a chance to level and they did. A warning came when Middleton broke clear and had an effort cleared off the line by the alert Taylor. From the resultant corner kick, Edwards rose above the home backline to nod against a post.
Sub James Forrest hit the bar before United’s stunner. Sub Levitt swung a cross into the box and, although Tony Watt didn‘t appear to get a touch with his attempted header, it sailed beyond Joe Hart and into the corner.
But Celtic just wouldn’t be denied and another dramatic late show was on the cards. Firstly, O’Riley’s near-post corner was flicked on by Anthony Ralston and Kyogo’s close-range header sparked bedlam amongst the home support.
Abada then finished racing clear to lift a debt lob over Birighitti and into the net. VAR had a long look for offside, but there was none. Here's three talking points from a dramatic afternoon in the east end of Glasgow.
STRENGTH OF ATTACK
Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada both scored hat-tricks against United when the teams met at Tannadice earlier in the season, yet neither of them could get into the starting side and the Postecoglou choice of attacking talent was displayed again as the replacements Haksabanovic and Jota did the business with goals and an assist. The Japanese and the Israeli, however, would still have plenty to say on the outcome with their late cameos. It’s a measure of the Celtic power.
VAR HOLD UPS
The whole episode around United’s penalty just took too long. Totally accidental, yes. But it was a handball by Bernabei. Quite how he could help it facing the wrong way and quite how it took such an age to sort it out is anyone’s guess. Also, booking the Argentine kid for a complete accident and an act he knew nothing about is another bizarre ruling. Another age to check the Giakoumakis/Sibbald incident. Same with Abada’s goal at the finale. Flow of games is being ruined and time of actual play is being lessened.
UNITED PROMISE BETTER THINGS
Liam Fox will be desperate for results in the final two games before the World Cup break to try and escape the bottom and get some breathing space. There were plenty of signs at Celtic Park that they have the spirit and the fight to get those points before the Qatar shutdown. Of course, Celtic were the dominant force in the game, but that is going to happen in Glasgow’s East End. The fight to stay in the tussle and then take a chance to make it 2-2 offers hope they can get away from their current problems.
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