Rangers 0 Celtic 2 (Sunday)
Two second-half Georgios Samaras goals saw Celtic move four points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Lee McCulloch saw an early header cleared off the line by Emilio Izaguirre but Celtic - for whom Freddie Ljungberg missed out on an Old Firm debut with a virus - soon took control. Samaras set up Paddy McCourt for a chance early in the second-half but the Irishman shot wide. Celtic continued to press and after 62 minutes Samaras took Joe Ledley's pass and rounded Allan McGregor to fire Celtic ahead. Eight minutes later Samaras outstripped Jamie Ness before being tripped by Madjid Bougherra in the box. The Greek scored from the spot to extend Celtic's lead and the visitors saw the remaining time out comfortably for a deserved win. The loss was only Rangers' second at home in the league in 32 matches, and while Celtic have opened up a gap at the top of the table, Rangers still have two games in hand.
Aberdeen 1 Dundee United 1
David Goodwillie's injury-time goal denied Aberdeen victory in the north-east derby. Aberdeen enjoyed more first-half possession, but United were the better side and Goodwillie forced a fine save from home goalkeeper Jamie Langfield. United continued to look threatening but it was Aberdeen who went ahead when Chris Maguire took advantage of Keith Watson's short pass-back to beat Dusan Pernis. Aberdeen lost Yoann Folly with a broken ankle which will sideline him for the rest of the season and United took advantage of the six minutes of stoppage time the injury caused to snatch a late point. Sub Jon Daly set up the chance for Goodwillie to score his 11th goal of the season. The third draw in the last five Pittodrie meetings of the sides denied Craig Brown his third successive win as Aberdeen manager.
Hamilton Academical 0 Motherwell 0
New Motherwell manager Stuart McCall watched his side end a run of three consecutive defeats with a point in the Lanarkshire derby. Hamilton looked the better side in the first half and Dougie Imrie twice forced Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph into saves. The deadlock continued after the break as the visitors' Jamie Murphy's deflected cross was blocked by Accies 'keeper Tomas Cerny. Imrie had a chance to win it near the end but shot wide of the far post with only Randolph to beat.
Hearts 1 Hibernian 0
Kevin Kyle's late goal won the Capital derby to close Hearts to within two points of second-placed Rangers. It was Hearts' fourth derby win in a row - and Jim Jefferies' side merited their victory. The Tynecastle side were the better team for most of the game and Mark Brown made excellent saves from both Calum Elliot and Rudi Skacel. Hearts sub Arvydas Novikovas created a chance for fellow sub Gary Glen before making the opening which saw Kyle head beyond Brown with four minutes remaining. It was only the third home win in the last eleven Edinburgh derbies - and leaves Hibs without a win in any of the last six. They've lost seven games out of eleven under Colin Calderwood and this week defender Sol Bamba joined Championship outfit Leicester City.
St Johnstone 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 (Sunday)
Saints ended Inverness CTâs unbeaten away record thanks to Collin Samuel's late goal. The visitors seldom threatened and Sam Parkin missed a couple of opportunities to give the home side a first-half lead. St Johnstone continued to dominate after the interval and finally made the breakthrough when Samuel fired into the roof of the net after Dave Mackay's shot had been blocked. Caley Thistle had been unbeaten away from home in the league in over a year but the win moves St Johnstone ten points ahead of bottom club Hamilton.
St Mirren 0 Kilmarnock 2
Kilmarnock continued their fine run of form to make it just one defeat in ten games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Cammy Bell had to make a great save from home defender Darren McGregor in the first-half but after the interval the visitors took control. Mehdi Taouil missed a great chance to put Killie ahead but they took the lead when Alexei Eremenko found Jamie Hamill and from his cross Liam Kelly scored his fourth goal in as many games. Craig Bryson sealed the points eleven minutes from time when his shot from Taouil's pass deflected past Paul Gallacher in the home goal. Mixu Paatelainen's on-form side are now three points ahead of fifth-placed Inverness having played a game fewer.
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cbfootball.co.uk
Last updated: 04 January 2011