Hibernian 0-5 Celtic

A five star performance from Celtic extended their lead at the top of the table to an incredible 17 points as Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper dictated the pace and outcome of the game.   Stokes made sure he got on the end of a Charlie Mulgrew corner on 14 minutes to head the opening goal from inside the six yard box.  Six minutes later it was 0-2 when Hooper collected on the halfway line before playing a forward pass to Stokes.  Stokes advanced into the box before slipping the ball to Hooper, who slipped the ball underneath Graham Stack from 10 yards out.

Hibs first genuine attempt arrived midway through the first half when Adam Matthews failed to deal with a long ball and was robbed by Stevenson but Fraser Forster saved.  Wotherspoon then had a good chance 8 yards out when he met a cross from the left but his attempt went wide.

Celtic should have had a penalty when Anthony Stokes again rushed into the box before cutting back and had his ankles clipped but the referee  waved play-on.

Two minutes after the break Charlie Mulgrew removed any remaining doubt about the result.  Gary Hooper was fouled 23 yards from goal and Mulgrew thundered the resulting free kick into the far corner of the net.

Hooper and Stokes linked again when the former back-heeled for the latter but Graham Stack blocked the shot from 12 yards.  Hooper’s second goal of the game arrived seven minutes into the second half when James Forrest passed to Mulgrew who fed Hooper.  The striker’s shot bobbled over the diving Stack into the net.

A careless back-heel by Kelvin Wilson was collected by Gary O’Connor who crossed for Leigh Griffiths but Forster collected comfortably.  The rout was completed when Stokes fed substitute Kris Commons whose wayward shot struck the knee of Ki and deflected into the net.  Joe Ledley almost made it six when he won a header from a Ki corner but his attempt rebounded off the bar.

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