17th Nov 2002 Celtic 4 Partick Thistle 0 (Scottish Premier League - game 15)

matches:2002-03: ← 22game 2324 →

Match Information

			Martin O'Neill		John Lambie			61y, 8m, 15d
					Alan Archibald; Jamie Mitchell
					Kenny Milne; Jamie Buchan
Chris Sutton (0-1, 10 mins); Stiliyan Petrov (0-2, 33 mins); Stiliyan Petrov (0-3, 68 mins); Henrik Larsson (0-4, 90 mins)
Bobo Balde (David Fernandez, 71 mins); Neil Lennon (Shaun Maloney, 79 mins); Stiliyan Petrov (Stephen Crainey, 79 mins)					Gerry Britton (Paul Walker, 71 mins); Scott Paterson (James McKinstry, 80 mins); Jamie Mitchell (Andy S. Gibson, 83 mins)
			Rab Douglas		Kenny Arthur			23y, 11m, 10d
			future Jag Jackie McNamara		David Lilley			25y, 0m, 17d
			Bobo Balde		Alan Archibald			24y, 11m, 4d
			Joos Valgaeren		Stephen Craigan			26y, 0m, 19d
			Paul Lambert		Scott Paterson			30y, 6m, 4d
			Didier Agathe		Jamie Mitchell			26y, 0m, 11d
			Neil Lennon		Gerry Britton			32y, 0m, 28d
			Stiliyan Petrov		Martin Hardie			26y, 6m, 26d
			Alan Thompson		Alex Burns			29y, 3m, 13d
			Henrik Larsson		Daniele Chiarini			23y, 7m, 6d
			Chris Sutton		Derek Whyte			34y, 2m, 17d
								27y, 5m, 23d
			Jonathan Gould		Kevin Budinauckas			28y, 2m, 1d
			Stephen Crainey		James McKinstry			23y, 4m, 14d
			Shaun Maloney		Ricky Waddell			21y, 9m, 13d
			David Fernandez		Andy S. Gibson			20y, 8m, 15d
			Momo Sylla		Paul Walker			25y, 2m, 28d

Match Report

TTA report

Celtic went 1-up (Whyte og, 10). Hardie went close with a header but in the main Thistle were chasing shadows. Hardie lost possession in midfield and it led to the 2nd (33). After half-time Arthur had some fine saves and although Thistle enjoyed some good possession 2 more goals (68 and 90) showed they were outclassed.

Media report

17-Nov-2002, bbc.com

CELTIC BACK ON TOP. Celtic took over at the top of the Scottish Premier League for the first time since September after a workmanlike victory in their Glasgow derby against Partick Thistle. Thistle had recently given Martin O'Neill's side a fright in the CIS Cup. But an own-goal by former Celtic defender Derek Whyte put the home side in charge after only 12 minutes. And Stilian Petrov added two more either side of the break before Henrik Larsson made his now traditional appearance on the scoresheet to emphasise the difference in class. Victory means that the reigning champions overtake Rangers by a point in the two-horse race for the title. Their Glasgow rivals had been held to a draw at Aberdeen on Saturday. Celtic were given a hero's welcome after their impressive midweek Uefa Cup victory over Blackburn Rovers. O'Neill made just three changes from the side that won at Ewood Park. Striker John Hartson was given a rest ahead of a vital Euro 2004 qualifier for Wales in midweek. Ulrik Laursen and Steve Guppy also dropped out, Paul Lambert, Alan Thompson and Jackie McNamara being given starting places. The visitors remain in the relegation zone but took confidence from their recent visit to Celtic Park, when they only lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the CIS Cup. Thistle welcomed back Alan Archibald and Jamie Mitchell, with Kenny Milne and Jamie Buchan missing.

Goalkeeper Kenny Arthur had already done well to block a Larsson effort before being left helpless when Whyte met a Sutton cross and sliced the ball into his own net. Sutton volleyed just wide and Arthur produced a couple of good saves to deny the striker and fellow Englishman Thompson. Partick's best attempt came from a looping header from Martin Hardie that almost caught Rab Douglas off his line, but the goalkeeper stretched back to save. It was no surprise when Celtic extended their lead after 33 minutes. Lennon won the ball in midfield and threaded the ball through to Petrov, who coolly side-footed into the corner of the net. Larsson sliced a right-foot shot well wide of the mark when he should have made it three.

A Petrov volley from the edge of the box flew just wide as Celtic continued to dominate after the break. The Bulgarian missed a great chance after picking up a loose ball from Whyte on the edge of the box and firing wide. Arthur did well to tip a Sutton header over the bar after a fine cross from Larsson. The Swede was again the provider as his through-ball found Petrov racing into the box to chip Arthur for Celtic's third goal after 68 minutes. Shaun Maloney was the provider in the dying seconds, the substitute's low cross being turned home by Larsson at the near post.

Scrapbook

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PTFC Website, 17th November, 2002

Video Highlights

Option 1: extended highlights

(credit: BBC Scotland )

Option 2: all goals

(credits: Irvine Bhoy / BBC Scotland )

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Stats Watch

ongoing sequences:

● 6 away League games without a win; 11th Sep 2002 to date. (Longest run since: 8 games; 3rd Apr 1999 to 2nd Oct 1999. Club-record: 26 games; 20th Mar 1935 to 29th Aug 1936.)

● 33 consecutive competitive appearances for Scott Paterson, 9th Feb 2002 to date, a new personal best. (Longest run since: Derek Fleming - 34 games, 25th Aug 2001 to 16th Mar 2002. Club-record: Johnny Jackson - 313 games, 28th Aug 1926 to 25th Mar 1933.)

Stats Watch adheres to our stated definitions of League, League Max, Major Competitive, Competitive or All Games. Where there is no written qualification, you should presume that the Stat in question is compiled from the All Games criteria.

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