Celtic exerted pressure in the early minutes of the match as a stunning run from James Forrest looked to open the scoring but Dusan Pernis was on the lookout to avert the danger. Shortly after a scramble in the same area saw further trouble for the away side, but Daniel Majstorovic and Scott Brown were unable to get a shot away as the Terrors’ defense managed to clear the ball away.
The visitors looked about to get into the drivers’ seat themselves when Dixon put a teasing cross into the Celtic box but no one was there to take advantage of the opportunity.
United continued to make forays forward as both Goodwillie and Conway made positive runs into Celtic territory but Neil Lennon’s side easily dealt with the visitor’s attacking efforts. Indeed, the Hoops soon had another chance of their own as Kris Commons’ cross found Anthony Stokes who headed the ball off target.
Then, 23 minutes into the game, Stokes managed to find space behind the Terror’s poor defense and set up Gary Hooper with a low cross into the six-yard box. The former Scunthorpe striker just poked the ball in with a simple finish to give Celtic a 1-0 lead.
A few minutes later, the lead could have been doubled as Izaguirre nutmegged Conway to find Stokes but the provider was unable to get one of his own as his shot went over and onto the roof of the net.
Dundee did have one late opportunity in the first half as Goodwillie broke through Kayal’s challenge and tried to shoot but Celtic stalwart Scott Brown was on hand to block the attempt, shortly before the whistle was blown on a pulsating first half.
The Terrors had an early chance to score in the second half but Morgaro Gomis sliced the ball wide of the goal. Celtic seemed determined to extend its lead, however, with Commons tormenting the United defense and the former Sunderland striker forced a fantastic block from Garry Kenneth.
Celtic would not have to wait long for the second however as Beram Kayal beat one man on the edge of the area before letting fly with a left foot drive that found the net from 20 yards, putting his side firmly in the ascendancy and with victory looking likely.
Peter Houston responded, and sought to freshen things up for his side, with a double change before the hour with Jonathan Daly and Johnny Russell coming on for Prince Buaben and Danny Swanson. Russell almost had an immediate impact as tried his luck with an effort from outside the area but his strike hit the Celtic post.
Celtic boss Lennon then made a change of his own as he brought on Ki-Sung-Yeung to replace Forrest. Shortly after Lennon’s side had two opportunities to add a third goal but Gary Hooper shot wide before Brown’s header was saved by Pernis.
With five minutes to go, Celtic was still looking to add to its lead and it was Commons who duly obliged as the ball fell loose to him in the six-yard box, leaving him to lash it past Pernis.
Five minutes of added time were signaled but there was still time for more action as Dundee got a consolation goal of its own courtesy of a Goodwillie cross that found Russell, who applied the finish and ensured that Celtic would not keep a clean sheet.
However, that was not the end of the action as Neil Lennon’s men retaliated to seal a convincing scoreline as Daryl Murphy, who replaced Brown, scored a superb goal in the last seconds of injury time.
The final whistle blew on an enthralling match shortly after leaving Celtic just a single point behind arch-rivals and current SPL leaders Rangers, with a game in hand.
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Celtic 4-1 Dundee United: Hoops strike four times to edge within one point of Rangers at top of the SPL