Celtic top the SPL after crushing Hearts 4-0

28 November 2012 21:49

Celtic reminded everyone why they are Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.

The Hoops have stuttered in their journey to the top of the SPL this season but they responded to their shock home 1-0 defeat by Inverness at the weekend in fine style with goals from striker Lassad Nouioui and right-back Mikael Lustig before Charlie Mulgrew's cut-back was deflected into his own net by Gorgie midfielder Ryan Stevenson.

The second half was a formality for the clinical Parkhead side with striker Gary Hooper grabbing a fourth late in the game before Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster showed why he has forced his way into the England set-up by saving a late penalty from Hearts skipper Marius Zaliukas.

Celtic forced their way in front in the 10th minute when Kris Commons' cross from the left, after he had taken a pass from Beram Kayal, found Lassad who confidently volleyed it low past Jamie MacDonald at his near post.

However, five minutes later, when Joe Ledley fouled Jamie Walker 25 yards from goal, the home side should have levelled when Stevenson flighted the free-kick on to the head of striker Callum Paterson but he missed his header completely and the ball flew wide.

Midway through the first half, however, Celtic showed their ruthless side when Lustig put them two ahead. The Sweden international started the move on the right and when Lassad's cut back broke to him 12 yards out after Commons had been foiled by Darren Barr in a packed Hearts penalty area, he stabbed the ball past MacDonald from around seven yards.

Three minutes later a remarkable save from Forster prevented the home side getting back into the game. After the big Geordie had parried Stevenson's powerful free-kick from 30 yards it looked like Zaliukas must score but somehow Forster clawed away his close-range header and the danger was averted when Hearts midfielder Ryan McGowan hit the side-netting.

The home side slumped further behind on the half-hour mark when Commons' deep cross from the right ended up at the far side of the box with Mulgrew whose cut-back was put past his own keeper by the hapless Stevenson in trying to block.

The visitors remained dangerous and in the 82nd minute, after MacDonald had made a save from Commons, they stretched their lead further when Hooper volleyed in a Mulgrew cross from six yards.

With two minutes remaining Hearts were awarded a penalty when Wilson fouled Stevenson inside the box but Forster completed another great display by diving low to his right to thwart Zaliukas.

Source: PA