SPL Saturday May 3rd

Dunfermline 1

Celtic 4

0:1 Larsson (20); 0:2 Petrov (29); 0:3 Petrov (32); 0:4 Thompson (59 pen); 1:4 Mcnicol (80)

Att: 8,923

MIB: Alan Freeland

Celtic: Broto; Valgaeren (Lambert 10), Balde, Laursen; Agathe (Fernandez 70), Lennon (Smith 79), McNamara, Petrov, Thompson; Larsson, Maloney

With the Forces of Darkness still reeling from the spanking on their own midden and the SS Ibrox, taking in more water than a fish, Celtic's title challenge is resurgent. Dunfermline were well and truly put to the sword as a depleted squad suddenly found strength and showed its true mettle.

With Rab D, Mjallby, Sutton and Hartson all in the recovery room and Valgaeren ,Lambert, Agathe and Thompson, all taking heavy knocks in this game, the dressing room must look like something out of Holby City. Celtic's aspirant fringe players, all hoping to make a UEFA final place, eventually got their fingers out.

The Pars for their part, started brightly and only a outstanding Broto, kept the score-sheet clean. Against the run of play, Celtic then began a blistering spell and killed off the game. Henke grabbed his 41st of the season on the 20 minute mark, suckering the Pars defence and converting a cross from Stan.

Petrov then got in on the act, as Larsson set him up for a clean finish from 10 yards out. By the half our, the Pars were looking ragged as Agathe delivered for Stan to grab his second. When Larsson was tumbled in the box by Nicholson, Thompson's penalty conversion saw the goal difference with the Litter tray XI evaporate as Celtic threatened to run up a cricket score.

The consolation goal for the Pars, despite heroics from Broto, made a little dent in the goal difference, but the pressure is still on the rupturing seals of the sinking ship now visibly listing in the Clyde, near the Govan sewer outflow.