Scottish Premier at Tynecastle Stadium

Date: 28/11/2012 KO: 19:30 Ref: W Collum Att: 15,264
Hearts 0 - 4 Celtic

Lassed Nouioui 10
Mikael Lustig 22
Ryan Stevenson 30 (og)
Gary Hooper 83

FT (ht: 0-3)

Centre
Hearts

1. Jamie MacDonald
4. Ryan McGowan
6. Andy Webster
26. Marius Zaliukas
29. Kevin McHattie
33. Callum Paterson
19. Dylan McGowan 63'
5. Darren Barr
14. Jamie Walker 68'
15. Jason Holt 58'
7. Ryan Stevenson

Subs

21. Peter Enckelman
8. Scott Robinson 63'
9. John Sutton
10. Mehdi Taouil 58'
11. Andrew Driver 68'
12. Gordon Smith
18. Arvydas Novikovas

1. Fraser Forster
23. Mikael Lustig 68'
4. Efe Ambrose
6. Kelvin Wilson
21. Charlie Mulgrew
15. Kris Commons
33. Beram Kayal
67. Victor Wanyama
16. Joe Ledley 69'
11. Lassed Nouioui 80'
88. Gary Hooper

Subs

24. Lukasz Zaluska
2. Adam Matthews 68'
7. Miku
8. Scott Brown 69'
9. Georgios Samaras 80'
32. Tony Watt
46. Dylan McGeouch

Celtic reminded everyone why they are Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions with a comprehensive win over

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's impressive performance must have put a smile on the face of manager Neil Lennon who had rather dramatically threatened to quit the club following an altercation with fans during the Caley defeat, and he took the acclaim of the travelling supporters as his side coasted to victory.

The future of financially-stricken Hearts is still far from secure but they had their moments in this game, only to be foiled, in the main, by Forster.

Lennon made three changes to his side with defender Kelvin Wilson, midfielder Joe Ledley and Lassad in for Adam Matthews, Georgios Samaras and Tony Watt, who all started on the bench, while Kevin McHattie replaced injured Jambos left-back Danny Grainger

It was a typically frantic and frenetic start to one of the best SPL fixtures but by the interval the points were on their way back to Glasgow.

In the fourth minute Hooper set up Kris Commons whose shot from 12 yards, dispatched almost casually, was beaten away by Jamie MacDonald.

The home side responded by forcing a couple of corners and there was an appeal for a penalty when the ball looked like it might have struck Lassad on the arm following Jamie Walker's delivery, but referee Willie Collum waved play on.

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

However, five minutes later, when Ledley fouled 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.

Moments later, there was another Jambos penalty claim when Celtic's stand-in skipper Wilson, previously warned by Collum after a couple of hefty challenges, clashed with Paterson but again the official stood firm

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 game was effectively over at the interval although Hearts started the second half in determined mood and four minutes after the restart Forster pulled off another fine diving save, this time from McHattie's 25-yard free-kick.

But Celtic were in command.

Commons then fired over the bar from the edge of the box before a low drive by Lassad from a similar distance produced a save by MacDonald.

John McGlynn's men continued to battle away in their search for a lifeline and in the 71st minute Forster made a decent save from Mehdi Taouil, who had replaced Jason Holt.

The visitors, though, 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.

Live Stats

46
10
4
9
0
7
1
0

Possession % 54
Shots on target 5
Shots off target 4
Fouls conceded 13
Offside 3
Corners won 1
Yellow Cards 3
Red Cards 0

The referee signals the end of the game.

Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Scott Robinson manages to make a clearance.
90

Kelvin Wilson concedes a Penalty for a foul on Ryan Stevenson. Kelvin Wilson is booked. Penalty taken by Marius Zaliukas saved by Fraser Forster. Hearts 0-4 Celtic.Callum Paterson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adam Matthews. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
87

Gary Hooper gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hearts 0-4 Celtic.Charlie Mulgrew provided the assist for the goal.
82

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Marius Zaliukas by Beram Kayal. Georgios Samaras replaces Lassad Nouioui. Direct free kick taken by Kevin McHattie.
79

Scott Robinson has an effort at goal from long distance that misses to the right of the goal.
77

Short corner worked by Andrew Driver, clearance made by Victor Wanyama.
77

Gary Hooper is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
76

Inswinging corner taken by Andrew Driver.
73

Volleyed right-footed shot by Mehdi Taouil. Save by Fraser Forster.
72

The referee cautions Callum Paterson for dissent. Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Andrew Driver, clearance made by Kelvin Wilson.
70

Adam Matthews on for Mikael Lustig. Scott Brown replaces Joe Ledley.
67

(Hearts) makes a substitution, with Andrew Driver coming on for Jamie Walker.
67

Victor Wanyama takes a shot from long range which goes wide right of the target.
63

Scott Robinson comes on in place of Dylan McGowan.
62

Dylan McGowan challenges Kris Commons unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
60

Lassad Nouioui takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jamie MacDonald.
58

Shot by Kris Commons from just outside the area goes over the net.
58

Unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Darren Barr results in a free kick. Mehdi Taouil replaces Jason Holt. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
57

Lassad Nouioui is ruled offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
55

Ryan Stevenson concedes a free kick for a foul on Mikael Lustig. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
51

Kelvin Wilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Jason Holt. Strike on goal comes in from Kevin McHattie from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster. Corner from the left by-line taken by Kevin McHattie, clearance by Victor Wanyama. Dylan McGowan takes a shot. Efe Ambrose gets a block in.
47

Kevin McHattie takes the inswinging corner, save by Fraser Forster.
46

The second half has started.

The ref blows to signal half-time.

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan McGowan on Victor Wanyama. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
44

The offside flag is raised against Joe Ledley. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
41

Ryan McGowan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Strike on goal comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance.
37

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Webster on Lassad Nouioui. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
36

Jason Holt takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
36

Victor Wanyama challenges Jamie Walker unfairly and gives away a free kick. Caution for Victor Wanyama. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Kevin McHattie, save by Fraser Forster.
35

Unfair challenge on Ryan McGowan by Beram Kayal results in a free kick. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
34

Unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Efe Ambrose results in a free kick. Booking for Efe Ambrose for unsporting behaviour. Ryan Stevenson has an effort direct from the free kick.
32

Ryan Stevenson scores an own goal from 6 yards. Hearts 0-3 Celtic.
29

Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Stevenson. Ryan Stevenson shoots direct from the free kick, Fraser Forster makes a save.
27

Unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Beram Kayal results in a free kick. Kevin McHattie takes the direct free kick.
25

Foul by Kris Commons on Callum Paterson, free kick awarded. Ryan Stevenson has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster. Marius Zaliukas takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster. Shot from close range by Ryan McGowan misses to the right of the target.
23

Mikael Lustig fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hearts 0-2 Celtic.
21

Shot on goal by Charlie Mulgrew from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
20

Joe Ledley concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan McGowan. Free kick taken by Ryan Stevenson.
17

Jamie Walker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew. Kris Commons takes the direct free kick.
16

Kevin McHattie challenges Kelvin Wilson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
16

Unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Joe Ledley results in a free kick. Ryan Stevenson shoots direct from the free kick.
13

Ryan McGowan fouled by Kelvin Wilson, the ref awards a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Kevin McHattie from the free kick, clearance made by Charlie Mulgrew.
12

Lassad Nouioui finds the net with a goal from just inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hearts 0-1 Celtic.Kris Commons provided the assist for the goal.
9

Jamie Walker takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Gary Hooper. Corner taken by Jamie Walker. Unfair challenge on Callum Paterson by Kelvin Wilson results in a free kick. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
6

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
3

The referee gets the match started.

Taken from sportinglife.com