Dundee Utd1–2Celtic

After a two week break for international matches, United made one change to the team that started the victory over Kilmarnock. Craig Conway returned following a long spell out through injury meaning that Darren Dods dropped out.

With only four minutes on the clock the visitors signalled their intentions when Hooper combined with his strike partner Samaras only for the Greek to send a shot wide with only Pernis to beat. Four minutes later is was then Stokes to try his luck but the former Hibs man fired over. The play was all flowing towards the United goal and with 12 minutes gone Celtic took the lead. Samaras picked the ball up and found Wilson on the right and the former United full back sent a low cross along the six yard box and the unmarked Gary Hooper easily finished into the roof of the net. A few minutes later the Hoops had a great chance to double their lead. Ledley threaded a brilliant pass into the path of Samaras who skipped past Pernis and then rolled the ball towards the net only for Garry Kenneth to make a goal line clearance. United then started to come back into the match A cross from Conway landed at the feet of Severin and he was unlucky to see his shot deflected wide by Samaras. The resulting corner was swung in by Conway and this time Buaben had a shot deflected wide. Finally a further corner by Conway was poorly punched clear by Forster and again Severin was undone by Samaras who this time cleared the ball to safety. The league leaders were looking dangerous on the break and Pernis had to be at his best when he saved from Stokes after a fine through ball from Wilson. Just before the half hour mark United went close when Conway crossed to the back post and David Robertson headed against the side of the post. However Celtic’s advantage was short lived when with eight minutes of the half left United equalised in slightly fortuitous circumstances. With the visitors claiming for a free kick after Ledley went down United’s David Goodwillie played on and he hit a low shot that deflected off Loovens and completely wrong footed Fraser Forster. Before the break Celtic went close to restoring their lead. Firstly Ki crossed to Majstorovic who headed into the path of Samaras who just failed to make contact with the goal gaping. Then with seconds of the half remaining Ledley shot from distance and Pernis brilliantly tipped over.

United looked in the mood at the start of the second period and early on Loovens superbly cleared from the feet of Robertson after good work from Daly. Eight minutes after the break United almost took the lead. Goodwillie won the ball in the box and then he unselfishly teed up Buaben who saw his fierce shot parried by Forster. It was not all United though and a minute later it was Kenneth who had to be on his toes when Samaras was free in the United penalty area. Conway then conceded a free kick at the edge of his own box and much to his relief Maloney’s shot just missed the target. Pernis was in fine form for the hosts and on the 65 minute mark he again kept the scores level when he saved well from Celtic’s Maloney. Seconds later United’s Dixon was booked for a foul on Stokes. With twenty minutes remaining a fabuolus game of football reached boiling point. Ki placed a great pass into the path of Hooper and he flicked the ball over Pernis but the ball landed on the roof of the net. Straight away the visitors won the ball back and there was an appeal for a penalty when Kenneth tackled Samaras but play went on and Pernis challenged Hooper and this time the referee did point to the spot. However after a strong protest from United and consulting his linesman Dougie McDonald correctly changed his decision and waved play on. With the Celtic support fuming the tiring Conway was replaced by Douglas for United and then McCourt came on for Maloney for the visitors. Time was running out and just as it looked like United would secure a well earned draw the pressure from Celtic resulted in a sickening winner. McCourt crossed into the United box, Samaras headed on, the ball then hit the chest of Dillon and Gary Hooper was the first to pounce and he hooked the ball home from close range. There was time for Pernis to make another good save from Stokes and in the dying seconds three players were booked after a bust up between both teams. United’s sub Johnny Russell, who had just replaced Daly, was shown a yellow card along with Samaras and Loovens for Celtic. United were on the attack when the referee brought to an end an enthralling game of football.