Motherwell 1-2 Celtic: Matt O’Riley’s winner moves Scottish Premiership leaders further clear
Motherwell #Motherwell
Luis Palma’s goal appeared to have given Celtic victory, but instead unleashed a chaotic final few minutes
Matt O’Riley scored a 97th-minute winner in the most dramatic of Scottish Premiership finales to give Celtic victory over a Motherwell side who thought they had salvaged a late point.
After 87 minutes without a goal at Fir Park, Celtic substitute Luis Palma whipped a dangerous cross across goal, which ended up finding the corner of the net after Dan Casey blocked goalkeeper Liam Kelly’s line of sight.
Rather than securing the win, though, Palma’s opener ended up setting off a sequence of chaos.
Motherwell equalised after 95 minutes when Blair Spittal gathered inside the box, shuffled the ball onto his right foot and drilled a shot right into the corner to send the home crowd wild.
Those celebrations were cut short, though, when Celtic broke forward and O’Riley arrived at the back post to net an incredible winner for the visitors and their jubilant supporters.
The late blow was cruel on Stuart Kettlewell’s Motherwell, who put so much into the game but were increasingly forced back until they ultimately paid the price.
The visitors dominated possession throughout but it was Harry Paton who had the best chance of the opening half when quick thinking from a free-kick released him, only for the deputising Scott Bain to save with a foot.
The game opened up after half-time and Lennon Miller thought he had bundled home the opener for the home side after Bevis Mugabi rose with Bain, but a VAR check concluded the defender had strayed offside.
Celtic continued to probe a well-drilled defence and looked certain to score when Greg Taylor fed Daizen Maeda, but he got it all wrong and tamely shot over the bar.
They nearly paid dearly when Spittal drilled one low towards the far post but Bain, in for the suspended Joe Hart, strained out a leg to block the ball to safety.
The visitors increasingly pushed forward and eventually got their reward in what was an utterly compelling final few minutes.
Motherwell will feel they more than merited something, after failing to take any points from their two previous impressive performances. For Celtic, this was a quite incredible outcome. Brendan Rodgers’ men never give in and were rewarded for that.
Player of the match – Matt O’Riley (Celtic)
Any number of Motherwell’s players merited a mention in another impressive overall display, but O’Riley takes the plaudits for making the crucial contribution at the vital momentPain for Motherwell as resilient Celtic deliver again – analysis
Where do you start? What an incredible finale and outcome for the champions. Just when you thought they would drop points they responded. And again, after conceding that injury time leveller.
Talk about resilience and determination. It’s no fluke either. They simply never settled for anything other than the points and once again found a way with seconds to spare.
Some questioned the decision to replace the subdued Kyogo but ultimately Celtic delivered another win at another challenging environment. It may be one they look back on as a key moment.
For Motherwell, this script feels familiar. Once again, they performed admirably. Once again, they leave with nothing. It must feel so painful, particularly given how late they equalised after just falling behind.
So many positives for Stuart Kettlewell, but it may take a little time to get over the nature of this defeat.
What’s next?
Motherwell travel to Livingston on league business on Saturday (15:00 BST) while Celtic return to Champions League action as they host Lazio on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
Line-upsMotherwell
Formation 3-4-3
1Kelly
16McGinn5Mugabi15Casey
2O’Donnell38Miller12Paton22Spencer
8Slattery14Bair7Spittal
Substitutes
Celtic
Formation 4-3-3
29Bain
2Johnston4Lagerbielke5Scales3Taylor
33O’Riley42McGregor41Hatate
13Yang8Furuhashi38Maeda
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Motherwell 1, Celtic 2.
Second Half ends, Motherwell 1, Celtic 2.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Liam Scales.
Goal! Motherwell 1, Celtic 2. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor with a cross.
Goal! Motherwell 1, Celtic 1. Blair Spittal (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Dan Casey.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Luis Palma.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Greg Taylor (Celtic).
Brodie Spencer (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Brodie Spencer (Motherwell).
Attempt missed. Dan Casey (Motherwell) header from a difficult angle on the left is just a bit too high. Assisted by Blair Spittal with a cross following a set piece situation.
Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
Davor Zdravkovski (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Motherwell. Davor Zdravkovski replaces Callum Slattery.
Substitution, Motherwell. Conor Wilkinson replaces Lennon Miller.
Goal! Motherwell 0, Celtic 1. Luis Palma (Celtic) right footed shot from long range on the left to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luis Palma.
Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic).
Player of the match
O’RileyMatt O’Riley
Motherwell
Squad number7Player nameSpittal
Squad number12Player namePaton
Squad number2Player nameO’Donnell
Squad number1Player nameKelly
Squad number38Player nameMiller
Squad number8Player nameSlattery
Squad number5Player nameMugabi
Squad number15Player nameCasey
Squad number14Player nameBair
Squad number22Player nameSpencer
Squad number16Player nameMcGinn
Squad number99Player nameWilkinson
Squad number17Player nameZdravkovski
Squad number77Player nameSouaré
Squad number18Player nameShaw
Celtic
Squad number33Player nameO’Riley
Squad number7Player namePalma
Squad number5Player nameScales
Squad number42Player nameMcGregor
Squad number3Player nameTaylor
Squad number2Player nameJohnston
Squad number29Player nameBain
Squad number41Player nameHatate
Squad number38Player nameMaeda
Squad number8Player nameFuruhashi
Squad number4Player nameLagerbielke
Squad number14Player nameTurnbull
Squad number6Player namePhillips
Squad number13Player nameYang Hyun-Jun
Squad number49Player nameForrest
Squad number19Player nameOh Hyeon-Gyu