Dundee United 1 Celtic 2

Dundee United came within minutes of ending Celtic's long sequence of victories in front of an 11,790 attendance at Tannadice.

But a late winner from Gary Hooper was enough to claim maximum points for the visitors and a continued share of the leadership of the SPL table.

David Goodwillie had earlier cancelled out Hooper's opening goal in an enthralling contest that wasn't with moments of genuine controversy.

The visitors made the much faster start and it came as little surprise when Mark Wilson's thirteenth minute cross was converted by Hooper.

And it could have been even worse moments later as Garry Kenneth was forced to clear off the line from Georgios Samaras.

The Arabs replied with Scott Severin having a couple of shots blocked when pushed up into an advanced position and David Robertson threatening from a far post header.

And they were really back in the contest as in-form Goodwillie's 38th minute drive deflected off Glenn Loovens and left goalkeeper Fraser Forster with no chance.

However, opposite number Dusan Pernis then had to be on his guard to keep out Joe Ledley just before the break, although it was the hosts on top immediately after it with midfielder Prince Buaben soon forcing Forster into action.

Shaun Maloney struck a free-kick over in reply before the game really erupted on seventy minutes when referee Dougie McDonald awarded a penalty to the visitors following Pernis' challenge on Hooper. But after consultation with his assistant he then reversed the decision.

And it wasn't long before the home side had another escape after Pernis parried from Anthony Stokes and Ledley drove the rebound against an upright.

Then with only a minute of normal time remaining, Celtic substitute Paddy McCourt crossed for Hooper to snatch his second goal of the afternoon and with it maximum points.

Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Severin, Kenneth, Dixon, Conway (Cadamarteri 74), D. Robertson (Douglas 86), Buaben, Gomis, Goodwillie, Daly (Russell 90)

subs (unused): Banks, Watson, S. Robertson, Shala

Goals: Goodwillie (38)

Celtic: Forster, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Loovens, Wilson, Ledley, Ki Sung-Yeung, Samaras, Stokes, Maloney (McCourt 89), Hooper

subs (unused): Zaluska, Juarez, Cha Du-Ri, Towell, Twardzik, McGinn

Goals: Hooper (13, 89)

Ref: D. McDonald

Att: 11,790

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