Saturday, January 3, 2009

Celtic 2-2 Dundee United

By Andy Campbell

Georgios Samaras and Barry Robson
Samaras (left) celebrates his goal with Barry Robson

Dundee United fought back from two goals down to claim a Scottish Premier League draw against leaders Celtic.

Georgios Samaras gave Celtic a deserved 12th-minute lead with a low drive past goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

The Greek forward headed Celtic's second 13 minutes into the second half from Shunsuke Nakamura's cross.

But United pulled one back through Paul Dixon's free-kick on the hour mark and substitute Warren Feeney equalised with 13 minutes remaining.

After a slow start, Celtic began to put their visitors under some pressure with Scott Brown's low drive swerving wide.

Moments later, Nakamura sent Samaras in on goal and the Greek striker's attempted chip drifted wide of Zaluska's right-hand post.

But Samaras was on-target with his next effort as the home side took the lead.

United captain Lee Wilkie tried to let the ball go out on the left-hand side but Brown stole possession and pulled back for Samaras to side-foot the ball low into the net.

Dundee United should have scored a quick equaliser within minutes when Wilkie slipped a pass through to Scott Robertson and the midfielder shot wide from the edge of the box.

Nakamura and Barry Robson both had efforts at Zaluska's goal before the first half drew to a close.

United were more of an attacking threat after the interval with Danny Swanson and Craig Conway delivering dangerous balls into the Celtic penalty area.

Dundee United striker Warren Feeney
Feeney completed United's comeback with the equalising goal

Celtic weathered the storm and increased their lead after winning a free-kick on the left-hand side, from which Samaras headed powerfully home.

However, the visitors responded with Dixon's superb free-kick after Morgaro Gomis was fouled on the edge of the box by Celtic captain Stephen McManus.

Dixon was then required to clear Brown's shot on the goal-line after Zaluska failed to claim Scott McDonald's cross.

McManus matched Dixon's heroics at the other end with a clearance from Feeney's shot after had latched onto a loose pass and rounded Boruc.

But Feeney soon got United's leveller when he met Daly's knock-down with a first-time shot past Boruc.

Celtic had the chance to restore their lead when they were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal but set piece specialist Nakmura's effort was high and wide.

Dundee United pressed for a late winner when Daly cross towards Feeney but Caldwell did well to clear.


Celtic: Boruc, Wilson (Caddis 46), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura (Mizuno 83), Scott Brown, Hartley, Robson, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 74), McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Fox, Loovens, O'Dea, Crosas.

Booked: McManus.

Goals: Samaras 12, 58.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon, Scott Robertson, Flood, Swanson (Feeney 61), Gomis, Conway, Daly.
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Grainger, Sandaza, David Robertson, Kovacevic, Buaben.

Booked: Feeney.

Goals: Dixon 60, Feeney 77.

Att: 59,558

Ref: S Conroy


BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Dundee United's Paul Dixon 7.42 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

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