Hooper brace sinks Dundee

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A brace from striker Gary Hooper has given Celtic a dramatic 2-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice, maintaining their perfect start to the season.

Hooper scored the winner on 88 minutes after a frantic goal-mouth scramble, to seal victory in a spiteful match that saw eight bookings, four for each side.

Hooper opened the scoring for the visitors after 13 minutes, when he pounced on a nice build up from Anthony Stokes and Mark Wilson to slot the ball past United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis from six yards out.

David Goodwillie equalised for the hosts seven minutes before half-time when his shot took a deflection off Glenn Loovens to elude Celtic 'keeper Fraser Forster.

There was controversy after 70 minutes when Pernis appeared to trip Hooper and referee Douglas McDonald pointed to the penalty spot.

Amazingly, after consulting with his assistant, he reversed his decision and oped fora drop-ball much to the dismay of angry Celtic boss Neil Lennon.

Celtic almost went ahead on 78 minutes, when Stokes forced a first-class save from Pernis from close range, and Joe Ledley crashed the follow up effort against the post.

Celtic poured forward in a desperate bid for the winner, and it was Hooper again who snatched a poacher's goal with two minutes remaining to hand the Glasgow giants full points.

The win moved Celtic to 24 points from eight games, level with city rivals Rangers ahead of the season's first Old Firm derby at Parkhead next Sunday.

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