Motherwell put on a stellar showing at the home of the league leaders, but ultimately succumbed 4-1 to Celtic.
A quick first-half double from Scott Sinclair and Odsonne Edouard put the league champions in the driving seat before Gboly Ariyibi pulled one back in controversial circumstances at the start of the second half.
And although Motherwell had chances to punish Celtic as they dwelled on the perceived injustice, the home side rounded off the match with two late strikes from Edouard and Oliver Burke to end ‘Well’s impressive run of wins.
With the Premiership’s two in form teams boasting identical runs of six consecutive wins, something had to give at Celtic Park.
The Fir Park men aiming to emulate a 86 year old club record of seven successive league wins, kicked off with four teenagers in their line-up. In the absence of an injured Curtis Main, 18 year old James Scott was given his first start leading the visitor’s attack.
It was a tough ask for the young ‘Well striker facing a Celtic side still to concede a domestic goal this year.
However, Motherwell made a confident start and created a couple of half chances. After six minutes Gboly Ariyibi’s run was halted at the edge of the box but Allan Campbell latched on to the loose ball only to see his powerful strike blocked by a Celtic defender.
Campbell then picked out the forward run of Jake Hastie and when his charge was blunted 20 yards from goal Ariyibi’s lofted his effort high over.
For all Celtic’s possession and intricate passing there was little getting through the tightly organised ‘Well defence. That was set to change after 21 minutes when an accidental clash of heads between Tom Alded and Edouard left the Fir Park defender bleeding and led off the pitch and replaced by Carl McHugh.
Five minutes later Mark Gillespie was finally called into action when he was required to routinely catch Edouard’s cross towards goal.
The in the 31st minute and out of nothing the Parkhead men opened the scoring. Ryan Christie’s deep cross found Scott Sinclair at the rear of the six yard box and his cushioned volley sent the ball beyond the helpless Gillespie.
The ‘Well ‘keeper prevented Edouard doubling the lead bravely diving at the feet of the French striker. Pushing for a second goal it duly arrived after 36 minutes. Ewan Henderson whipped in a cross from the right and nobody in claret matched Edouard’s run as he raced in to bullet a header inside the post.
It could have been three before the interval when James Forrest drove towards the corner of the six yard box and his shot was flying into the top corner of the goal until Gillespie solidly palmed the ball over the bar.
Six minutes into the second half Motherwell pulled a goal back in highly controversial circumstances.
With Christie grounded Celtic played the ball out of play – expecting it to be returned to them. But when Liam Grimshaw’s throw in found Scott in space he turned and headed for the Celtic goal forcing Scot Bain to push the ball across his box.
While the Celtic players hesitated, Ariyibi drove the ball under the Celtic ‘keeper to spark furious scenes as the home players protested to referee Kevin Clancy.
Celtic fans were still airing their displeasure when David Turnbull struck a 25 yard drive which skipped a couple of feet wide of Bain’s right hand post.
As the home side pressed to regain their two goal advantage Gillespie dived across his goal to push Henderson’s curling free kick beyond his post.
After 64 minutes Stephen Robinson swapped youth for experience sending on Connor Sammon for James Scott whose every touch was booed by the home fans.
The Parkhead crowd still reserved some of their anger for the officials and as they screamed for offside against Campbell his cross picked out Turnbull beyond the back post but his header was easily claimed by Bain.
Motherwell were forced into another defensive substitution when McHugh landed heavily and following lengthy treatment was stretchered off, Liam Donnelly lining up along side Charles Dunne for the final 15 minutes or so.
Two minutes later Hastie collected a terrific cross field pass from Dunne but as he stepped inside Jonny Hayes was dumped to the ground. As ‘Well appealed for a penalty all eyes fell on the referee who elected to award the free kick to Celtic.
As the Steelmen pushed for a late equaliser. there was a degree of panic in Celtic’s play as Brendan Rodgers brought Oliver Burke off the bench.
But is was Edouard who calmed home nerves four minutes from time with a stunning 25 yard free kick which clipped the underside of the bar on its way past Gillespie at full stretch.
Then as the fourth official indicated nine minutes additional time Burke curled the ball past Gillespie to make it 4-1.
