Celtic hit four to overtake Rangers

Motherwell 0 Celtic 4

Celtic stormed to the top of the Scottish Premier League last night as they tore apart Motherwell and edged past Rangers on goal difference.

A mere goal may be all that separates the Old Firm pair, with only three games left, but the champions made full use of this game in hand by wiping out Rangers' advantage. Fittingly, it was Paul Lambert, back on his old ground, who struck the two second-half goals that sent Celtic into overdrive, adding to a first-half double from Stilian Petrov.

Celtic had gone at Motherwell with real hunger in the opening stages. Alan Thompson's raking free-kick was deflected just wide and then the midfielder's corner found Henrik Larsson lurking at the back post, but the striker poked his shot wide of the target.

But Motherwell had beaten both Celtic and Rangers on this ground, and the bottom club showed they were no respecters of reputations as they shut down the Uefa Cup finalists with a fierce pressing game. But the over-zealous approach of Terry Butcher's side soon proved their undoing, as Derek Adams became the 11th Motherwell player to be sent off this season when he elbowed Thompson off the ball, sparking a mêlée.

Celtic swiftly punished their hosts when Petrov scored in the 36th minute, profiting from the space in the Motherwell midfield to gather Larsson's pass and go out wide to the right before firing a right-foot shot that Steve Woods could not keep out.

Motherwell lost the plot in the second-half as Celtic powered in three goals in just under 10 minutes. Petrov showed wonderful finishing in the 56th minute when he struck his second goal. The midfielder took part in a flowing move on the left, involving Ulrik Laursen, but it was the reverse pass of Larsson that was the key, releasing Petrov behind the Motherwell defence. The Bulgarian showed immense composure to steer his shot around Woods into the far corner.

Just after the hour, Lambert made it 3-0 with a goal of immense quality. The Celtic captain burst between two players and supplied Shaun Maloney, on the right wing, before continuing his run into the box to meet his team-mate's low ball across the face of goal and guide his volley past Woods.

Four minutes later Lambert struck again to take Celtic past Rangers on goal difference. Maloney was once again the provider, but Lambert's chest control was expert as he lobbed Woods.

Motherwell's misery increased with the news that the defender David Cowan, who is on loan from Newcastle United had suffered a double fracture of the ankle.

Motherwell (3-5-2): Woods; Vaughan, Partridge, Corrigan; Cowan (Kinniburgh, 18), Adams, Leitch, Pearson, Hammell; McFadden (Offiong, 69), Clarkson (Lehmann, 76). Substitutes not used: Dubourdeau (gk), Lasley.

Celtic (3-5-2): Sanchez Broto; McNamara, Baldé, Laursen; Agathe (Sylla, 83), Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Thompson (Crainey, 90); Larsson, Maloney (Smith, 80). Substitutes not used: Marshall (gk), Varga.

Referee: D McDonald.