Lewis Ferguson’s dramatic added-time penalty gave Aberdeen a share of the spoils against Celtic in a pulsating 3-3 Premiership draw at Pittodrie.
The Dons midfielder started the scoring from the spot two minutes before the interval but the champions roared back after the break and stand-in skipper Callum McGregor levelled in the 52nd minute.
Ryan Hedges restored Aberdeen’s lead in the 64th minute but Hoops substitute Leigh Griffiths equalised with a drive in the 75th minute and Ryan Christie scored with a penalty two minutes later.
That looked like it would be enough to clinch the points but remarkably Aberdeen were awarded a second penalty in added time and Ferguson again did the business.
The two sides meet in the rearranged 2020 William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park next Sunday and that will be a game to look forward to if it in any way matches this one.
Neil Lennon had been forced into a change in goal due to an injury to his first choice Vasilis Barkas, with Scott Bain making his first start since August.
There was a minute’s silence before kick-off to mark the recent death of former Aberdeen manager Ebbe Skovdahl.
Aberdeen had to contend with a fiery Celtic start before the game developed into a competitive scrap. In the 17th minute Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham’s drive from 30 yards clipped the outside of the post.
The visitors were on top when Dylan McGeouch picked up an injury and was replaced by Connor McLennan and the pressure began to intensify although Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis was well protected by his defence.
However, it was the Dons who forced their way ahead when referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot after Ntcham bundled Ferguson over in the box. Ferguson got up and sent Bain the wrong way with his spot-kick.
Celtic’s were quick to respond. McGregor combined with Rogic and took the return ball before driving low past Lewis from eight yards.
When Bain failed to deal with a drive from Sam Cosgrove, Hedges was on hand to prod the ball over the line from close range.
Celtic levelled again when Griffiths, who had come on for Ntcham, took a pass from Rogic and curled it high past Lewis. They were ahead for the first time two minutes later Dons defender Tommie Hoban caught Mohamed Elyounoussi in the box and Christie confidently drove in the penalty.
However, in added time, after McGregor tripped McLennan and Cosgrove had slammed the ball against the crossbar, Collum pointed to the spot and Ferguson stepped up with another well-taken penalty.
from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2TuXmEt
via IFTTT
No Comment