The Scottish Premiership title race entered its final day in the most incredible of circumstances, as Kelechi Iheanacho’s controversial 100th-minute penalty gave Celtic a 3-2 victory over Motherwell.
Hearts were poised to be crowned champions after defeating Falkirk 3-0 at Celtic Park on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports. But while they celebrated their victory with supporters at Tynecastle, their hopes of winning their first title in 66 years were dashed with the last kick of the game at Fir Park after a penalty drama.
The top two finishers will face off with a difference of one point. However, opinions differ as to whether Celtic should have been awarded the spot-kick.
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VAR awarded Celtic a penalty in the closing minutes after the ball appeared to hit Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson in the hands after a throw-in, but Kelechi Iheanacho made no mistake as he converted from the spot.
With seconds remaining as Celtic desperately searched for a winner, a VAR check sent referee John Beaton to a pitchside monitor ruled that Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson had committed a handball from a long throw into the box. Sub Iheanacho was ice-cold when he sent Callum Ward the wrong way, sending Celtic’s away fans into a frenzy.
They ran onto the pitch to join jubilant players, knowing Saturday’s home win would complete an epic comeback to retain the title.
Hearts, who have led the race for much of the campaign, are still in their hands. However, if Celtic were to draw at Motherwell, Martin O’Neill’s side would have needed to beat Hearts by three goals to make up the difference, but Hearts must at least draw at the defending champions’ home to take the title.
Iheanacho’s penalty also means Motherwell still have work to do to secure European football next season. They will face Hibernian on the final day with just a one-point difference, aiming for fourth place and a conference league berth.
Was the penalty decision correct?
As the long throw went in, Nicholson jumped up with Celtic’s Auston Trusty and attempted a header.
Nicholson raised his elbow, but Trustee’s shoulder pushed him further, and he jumped with him, raising his hand near his face.
“If it hit his hand, his arm would go up,” former Celtic striker Chris Sutton said on co-commentary.
However, Sky Sports studio experts were not convinced that the ball hit Nicholson’s hand.
Former Rangers striker Chris Boyd said: “For it to fly over your head at this pace, if it hits your hand it’s going to land right in front of you. It’s not going to fly away (as it did).”
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VAR late penalty call in Motherwell’s dying moments against Celtic causes uproar from Sky Sports experts
Former Hearts striker and manager John Robertson said: “I don’t know if it hit the hand or not, but I think it was the head. His hand was up and if it hit the hand it would have been a penalty.”
Former Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley said: “The power is on so we need a throw-in. I haven’t really seen Celtic players complaining about penalties. I just thought it was a throw-in.”
“His hand is up and it’s obviously off his head. It’s a header. It’s quite difficult to see. They (Celtic) are lucky.”
O’Neill: Penalty ‘pretty clear’
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Martin O’Neill after the jubilant result against Motherwell
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill: “Motherwell scored the equalizer as time was running low. They had a sense of composure and we were desperate to get goals at the other end.”
“Obviously, we were given a penalty, but it seemed like it was a pretty clear cut. He gave it away for a handball and then gave us an elbow there as well.”
“Obviously I’m happy for the team and I’m happy for the supporters, and like I said, the incredible heart of the team.
“He (Iheanacho) has been really great for us. He’s been winning games for us, which is the important thing. He’s been great. The little cameos he’s had have been just sublime.”
Ask says penalty decision is ‘shocking’
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou
“I think the big question is, what are we doing here when things like that are happening? I’m completely shocked. I thought I’d seen it all this year, but apparently I hadn’t. I’m shocked, it’s a shame for the game.”
“I think we did everything we could and should have done to finish the game. Fir Park have been really strong this season and it was a great game of football between two teams with both teams doing well throughout the game and we finished where we started.”
“Coming back from 2-1, I think we did it really, really strong. It felt completely unreal and no matter how you look at it on TV or how you read the situation, I don’t see anything in the rule book that could lead to a penalty.
“Even if he touched it with his claws, it’s because there was contact when he went up and his arm was here and pushed there, so it’s not a penalty anyway.
“Let’s say he actually touches his hands. You can’t see it from any angle… You also see how the ball gets its power, how the kid connects with his head and the ball has a lot of power as it passes. It’s crazy to be a part of this. And I think this game deserves much better than that.”
How did the drama develop?
Celtic’s title hopes looked to be in real jeopardy after just 30 minutes of play. The Jambos won 2-0 at home to Falkirk after Elliot Watt’s volley was deflected.
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When Motherwell took the lead against Celtic with a goal from Elliott Watt, the news reached the Hearts fans at Tynecastle and the home crowd reacted through the roof.
But Daenen Maeda, fresh off his double against the Rangers, tied the score with a great finish just before halftime, and Benjamin Nygren turned the game around with a super shot from 20 yards in the 58th minute.
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Daen Maeda produced a superb finish against Motherwell, scoring a vital equalizer for Celtic and keeping the visitors’ title hopes alive.
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Benjamin Nygren produced a sensational strike to give Celtic the lead at Motherwell and keep their title hopes alive.
Celtic felt they should have had a chance to score a second goal before that and Motherwell goalkeeper Ward dived in behind Maeda as he tried to play a long ball into the box. Arne Engels then lifted the ball past both men and over the bar, but referee Beaton ignored his appeal for a penalty.
They also denied Motherwell’s claim for a spot-kick when Callum Slattery slipped in the area and made contact with Callum McGregor just before Nygren’s attack.
Motherwell had Tom Sparrow’s shot deflected over the bar and Virdjami Sinisalo was forced into a sharp stop to deny Elijah Just, putting Celtic on the brink of an equaliser. But their persistence paid off when Tawanda Maswanhise blocked a shot and another parried a pass from sub Liam Gordon to make it 2-2.
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After a save from Celtic goalkeeper Villami Sinisalo, Liam Gordon converted the loose ball to equalize for the home side.
At that point Rangers and Hibernian were level at 1-1 and Motherwell fans were singing about a European tour. However, due to a late penalty, the situation not only in the battle for first place but also in the battle for fourth place changed completely. Expect some twists and turns as the teams competing for these two spots face off on the final day.
