Celtic Go Top of the Table(3/21/04)
Saviola celebrates his first goal this season
   Celtic picked up where they left off last week, on a goal tear. With the victory, Celtic are atop the CFM Premier League table, but expect others to make a strong push for the top.  Manager Brian O'Donnell said, "I'm happy to be atop the table, but we know there is a long season ahead, and after 3 games, this means nothing." O'Donnell was also upset about his teams defensive performance and Rio Ferdinand is expected back for their next fixture.  The opening goal came after 13 minutes, when Nedved received a clearance from a Villa defender and his run to the edge of the box ended in a rocket in the top right corner of the net.  Aston Villa
responded when Joaquin received a throw-in and whipped a corner into the box which found a wide open Etxeberria for the finish after 21 minutes. Nine minutes later, CFM Goals leader, Henrik Larsson came up with a loose ball after a textbook tackle by Robert Pires.  One-on-One with Toldo, Larsson applied the finish.  Celtic widened their lead in the 69th minute when Pablo Aimar made a clinical move into the middle of the field and found his countryman, Saviola, who slid in behind the defense. Saviola beat Toldo top corner for his first CFM goal. Aston Villa showed fight with a response just 3 minutes later after a Coco foul on Joaquin, set up a Denilson free kick outside the box.  Denilson found a jumping Jenas' head at the back post.  Celtic held on for a 3-2 victory in a final 20 minutes which saw little action.

Man of the Match: Nihat(Rating 8/10)

Celtic
Casillas                        7
Coco                            8
Panucci                        7
Balde(C)                      5
J.Zanetti                      7
Nedved                         8   G(1)-13'
Aimar                          7   A(3)-69'
Beckham                     6
Pires(sub 75)                7
Larsson                        8   G(4)-30'
Saviola(sub 75)             7   G(1)-69'


Ronaldinho(on 75)        7
Diego Tristian(on 75)    6


Aston Villa
Toldo                         4
Mancini                     6 
Candela(C)                6 
Lucio                         6
Samuel                      7
Joaquin                      7   A(1)-21'
Pizarro                       8
Jenas                         7   G(1)-72'
Denilson                    7   A(1)-72' 
Nihat                          8  
Etxeberria                  8   G(1)-21'
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1