CELTIC are top of SWPL for the first time this season following a 4-0 win over Spartans at the Excelsior Stadium. It was a third clean sheet in three games for the new leaders, but they could be overtaken on Wednesday when Rangers and Glasgow City play their games in hand.
Fran Alonso gave season first starts to midfielders Liv Chance and Taylor Otto, with Mexican goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar, who played as a trialist against Partick Thistle seven days earlier, also in the side after her international clearance came through in midweek.
Otto, a summer signing from Racing Louisville, opened the scoring midway through the half. Jacynta cut the ball back and the American beat Alicia Yates with a shot from just inside the box.
Yates played her part in keeping the score down but was beaten again after 34 minutes. Amy Gallacher was fouled in the box by Becky Galbraith and Chloe Craig scored from the spot.
Celtic got their third at the start of the second half through Clarissa Larisey, and the Canadian also scored the fourth from the spot near the end. Rangers, who have a superior goal difference, will have the chance to go back top when they play their postponed game against Hearts on Wednesday.
Hibernian's erratic start to the season – they lost 9-0 to Celtic on the opening day before beating Hamilton Accies – continued when Motherwell beat them 3-2 at Meadowbank Stadium. Jo Addie, Lori Gardner and Amy Anderson got the goals for the winners.
Aberdeen and Partick Thistle, who both lost their opening two games, drew 2-2 at Balmoral Stadium. The home side were ahead twice, but couldn't hold out for a first win.
A see-saw game at New Tinto Park between Glasgow Women and Hamilton Accies ended in a 4-3 win for the visitors. The winner was scored in time added on by Josi Gaird, and as well as completing the German's hat-trick denied the promoted club their first point.
