In a thrilling Scottish Premiership encounter, Celtic and Motherwell battled to a 1-1 draw, with Jon Obika emerging as the late hero for the visitors.
The match had its fair share of drama, with Celtic dominating possession with over 80% of the ball. The opening goal came from David Turnbull’s penalty in the 86th minute. It was awarded after a VAR review spotted Calum Butcher tugging Mikey Johnston at the back post. Turnbull calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner, putting Celtic ahead and seemingly securing the victory.
However, Motherwell had other plans. In the 90th minute, with their only second-half effort, Jon Obika made a spectacular header from Blair Spittal’s corner, directing the ball low into the far corner of the net. This late equalizer stunned the Celtic Park crowd and secured a precious point for the struggling Motherwell.
Celtic had their chances throughout the game, with Luis Palma missing a penalty, saved brilliantly by Motherwell’s Liam Kelly. Matt O’Riley also had an opportunity to snatch victory for Celtic in stoppage time but sent his free header wide.
Despite the draw, Celtic maintained their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, extending it to nine points. However, second-placed Rangers have two games in hand, making the title race more intriguing.
The match highlighted the defensive resilience of Motherwell, who frustrated Celtic’s attacking efforts. The visitors defended well, with their goalkeeper Liam Kelly making several crucial saves.
For Celtic, the result was undoubtedly disappointing given their dominance in possession and the opportunities they had. It was reminiscent of their earlier encounter with St Johnstone in the season, where they struggled to turn possession into goals.
This draw opens the door for Rangers to narrow the gap further in the title race, with the possibility of reducing it to just six points. The next Old Firm derby on January 2nd is shaping up to be a crucial showdown.
On the other hand, this draw could be a turning point for Motherwell, who have been on a 10-game winless run, the longest in the league. Manager Stuart Kettlewell’s tactical decisions, including moving Butcher into midfield, paid off in securing a valuable point. With upcoming fixtures against Dundee, Ross County, and St Johnstone, Motherwell will look to use this result as a launchpad to revive their season.
In summary, a late equalizer by Jon Obika for Motherwell denied Celtic a victory despite their dominance in possession. The result keeps Celtic at the top of the league but gives Rangers hope in the title race, while Motherwell will aim to build on this point to improve their season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Late Equalizer
Q: What was the key moment in the Celtic vs. Motherwell match?
A: The key moment came in the 90th minute when Jon Obika scored a dramatic late header, equalizing for Motherwell and denying Celtic a victory.
Q: Why did Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership not increase by 11 points?
A: Celtic’s lead didn’t increase to 11 points because they were held to a 1-1 draw by Motherwell, with Jon Obika’s late goal canceling out David Turnbull’s penalty.
Q: How did Motherwell’s goalkeeper, Liam Kelly, perform in the match?
A: Liam Kelly, Motherwell’s goalkeeper, had a standout performance, making crucial saves, including stopping a penalty from Luis Palma.
Q: What does this draw mean for the Scottish Premiership title race?
A: The draw means that Celtic’s lead at the top is now nine points, but second-placed Rangers have two games in hand, making the title race more competitive.
Q: What tactical decisions did Motherwell’s manager, Stuart Kettlewell, make in the match?
A: Stuart Kettlewell made a key tactical decision by moving Calum Butcher into midfield, which proved effective in securing a valuable point for Motherwell.
Q: What’s next for Celtic and Motherwell in their respective fixtures?
A: Celtic will face Lazio in the midweek Champions League match, while Motherwell will take on Dundee in their next league game, followed by a match against St Johnstone.
More about Late Equalizer
- Celtic vs. Motherwell Match Summary
- David Turnbull’s Penalty
- Jon Obika’s Late Header
- Liam Kelly’s Goalkeeping Performance
- Scottish Premiership Standings
- Stuart Kettlewell’s Tactical Decisions
5 comments
liam kelly – gr8 performance, saved the day! #goalkeeperhero
interesting tactics by motherwell’s coach, worked out in the end #smartmove
jon obika’s header waz epic! celtic shoulda won tho. #Disappointed
so, celtic’s lead is still ok, but rangers got 2 games, gonna be close #exciting
what about the crowd reaction to obika’s goal? musta been wild! #intense