Motherwell vs Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
Fir ParkAttendance8,535.
Saturday 3 December 2016 14:45, UK
Celtic beat Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday, coming from 2-0 and 3-2 down against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership to win 4-3 in the 90th minute.
Motherwell took the lead after just three minutes through an absolutely stunning finish from forward Louis Moult which ended a period of 10 hours without conceding for the Hoops.
Former Celtic centre-back Stephen McManus produced a fabulous diagonal pass off his left foot which found the run of Moult who had ran off the returning Kolo Toure.
Moult then produced a sumptuous finish on the volley as he lofted the ball over Craig Gordon and into the back of the net to send Fir Park into raptures.
Celtic almost responded within a couple of minutes, when Manchester City loanee Patrick Roberts got to the byline and looked to pick out Moussa Dembele with only a superb intervention from Motherwell defender Ben Heneghan keeping the 20-year-old Frenchman out.
The home side almost doubled their advantage after 37 minutes when Moult made a dart to the near post and connected with Christopher Cadden's low delivery but the 24-year-old old's effort flashed just past the post.
Former Stoke and Wrexham forward Moult was not to be denied however, and 10 minutes from the break the Steelmen had their second goal.
Well winger Ross MacLean dispossessed Celtic right-back Mikael Lustig on the flank with what the Scottish champions felt was a foul, but after winning the ball back MacLean produced a devilish cross which Moult turned past a helpless Gordon.
Once again Toure was sluggish to let Moult run off him and the goal ensured that Mark McGhee's men went in with a shock 2-0 lead.
Celtic started the second period exactly as Rodgers would have hoped as substitute Callum McGregor pulled a goal back just four minutes into the half.
The midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the box, and after playing a neat one-two with Stuart Armstrong, McGregor slalomed his way into the Motherwell box before dispatching the ball into the bottom corner with an accomplished left-foot finish.
Celtic started to dominate proceedings thereafter, as James Forrest wasted a glorious opportunity, smashing high and wide, and Tom Rogic forced Craig Samson into a save from distance.
With 20 minutes to go Celtic got the goal they had been threatening as Roberts nodded in at the back post following super play from Armstrong on the left wing.
Some 62 seconds later though, Motherwell substitute Lionel Ainsworth scored with his first touch at the other end, dispatching a pinpoint cross from Well left-back Steven Hammell.
A breathtaking period of play then saw Celtic react immediately in-turn as Armstong made it 3-3 with the third goal in two minutes and 20 seconds.
Roberts picked his head up and rolled an exquisite through ball past a hapless Heneghan, who was badly caught, and into the path of Armstrong who rolled the ball across Samson and into the corner.
The game had one more twist in the very last minute of the match as Rogic won it for Celtic with a low right-foot strike from the edge of the area to break Motherwell hearts.
Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!