Sutton seals it for Celtic

By Alex O'Henley

A first-half strike by Chris Sutton was enough to give Celtic FC all three points against Aberdeen FC at Pittodrie on Sunday. The English forward was credited with his eleventh goal of the season on 24 minutes after his right-footed strike from 18 metres was deflected past Aberdeen goalkeeper Ryan Esson by defender Phil McGuire. Centre-back Zander Diamond cleared another Sutton effort off the goalline before half-time but from then on Celtic appeared content to protect their lead against an Aberdeen side who have now failed to score in 413 minutes of league action.

Temporarily top
The win restores Celtic's three-point lead over Rangers FC at the top of the Scottish Premier League after the Ibrox side had temporarily regained pole position with a perfunctory 3-0 home win against Dunfermline Athletic FC on Saturday. Striker Steven Thompson, back in the side for the rested Dado Pršo, put them into the lead on six minutes and further goals from centre-half Marvin Andrews and Alex Rae, his first goal for the club, wrapped it up.

Five in a row
Hibernian FC striker Derek Riordan became the first player to score in five consecutive Scottish Premier League games when he struck the decisive second in Hibs' 2-0 away win at bottom club Livingston FC. Garry O'Connor, fresh from signing a new four-year contract with the Easter Road club, had given Tony Mowbray's side the lead on 53 minutes with a neat finish and was instrumental in creating Riordan's second 17 minutes from time to keep Hibernian four points ahead of Aberdeen in third place.

Late decision
A Paul Hartley free-kick four minutes from time gave Heart of Midlothian FC a 3-2 win against Dundee United FC in an entertaining encounter at Tynecastle. Barry Robson edged the visitors ahead on 19 minutes with a perfectly flighted free-kick from just outside the area, but captain Steven Pressley equalised for Hearts a minute before half-time when he converted at the back post from a corner. New signing Lee Miller had the home team ahead three minutes after the interval but United responded quickly with a powerful drive from Alan Archibald before Hartley's deflected effort gave Hearts all three points.

Debut delight
Tam McManus scored on his debut for Dundee FC in their 3-1 home win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC. Steven Robb's goal and a John Sutton penalty put the Dens Park side further ahead with player/manager Craig Brewster scoring a consolation goal for the visitors in the closing stages. Meanwhile at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock FC repeated last week's Scottish Cup success against Motherwell FC with a first-half double from Kris Boyd to bring his team within a point of Terry Butcher's side in sixth place.