Celtic scores penalty in the 9th minute of added time as Scottish title race goes to the last game

Celtic scored a penalty in the ninth minute of added time to clinch 3-2 win against Motherwell on Tuesday and set up an epic final day in the race for the Scottish title.

League leader Hearts beat Falkirk 3-0, meaning the title will be decided when the top two meet at Celtic Park on Saturday. Hearts stayed one point ahead of Celtic and will need at least a draw to finish in front.

But it looked to be in an even better position and closing in on its first title since 1960 until the late drama at Motherwell.

Celtic had already fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1 at Fir Park when Liam Gordon made it 2-2 in the 85th.

At that point it meant Celtic would have needed to beat Hearts by at least three goals in the season finale to take the title on goals scored.

But Kelechi Iheanacho's late penalty means the four-time defending champion can retain its trophy with a win in front of its home fans.

Hearts is bidding to become the first team to break the dominance of Celtic and Rangers in Scotland since Aberdeen in 1985.

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Heart of Midlothian's Frankie Kent, center, celebrates scoring their first goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Heart of Midlothian and Falkirk, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

Heart of Midlothian's Frankie Kent, left, celebrates scoring their first goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Heart of Midlothian and Falkirk, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

Celtic's Benjamin Nygren celebrates scoring their side's second goal during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Motherwell and Celtic, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Robert Perry/PA via AP)

Celtic's Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring their side's third goal from a penalty during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Motherwell and Celtic, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Robert Perry/PA via AP)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The Premier League title race is not over yet.

Manchester City cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the standings back to two points after beating Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

With two rounds of the season to go it means Arsenal will have to wait another week at least to be confirmed champion.

Mikel Arteta's team plays relegated Burnley on Monday and a victory would leave City needing to beat Bournemouth 24 hours later to take the title race into the final day of the season.

“We’ve seen a lot of things can happen on the final day," City forward Phil Foden told Sky Sports. “I’ve experienced it many times when the game doesn’t go your way, so we just have to keep pushing and doing our part.”

City plays Chelsea in the FA Cup final before all that and Pep Guardiola appeared to have Saturday's Wembley showdown in mind by making six changes to his team. But even without Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku in his starting lineup, City won comfortably.

Foden — making a rare start in recent months — provided assists for both of City's first half goals.

His backheel created an opening for Antoine Semenyo to open the scoring after 32 minutes and he set up Omar Marmoush for City's second eight minutes later.

Savinho added a third in the 84th.

The size of City's win could yet be significant as it moved one ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

Guardiola is targeting his seventh league title at City. He has never gone back-to-back seasons without winning a league title in his entire coaching career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.

“Unfortunately it’s not in our hands," Guardiola said. “It’s not easy, but it’s important that we are there. This group of players are all extraordinary.”

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Crystal Palace's Brennan Johnson, center, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, left, and Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo, right, and Crystal Palace's Jaydee Canvot challenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Manchester City's Phil Foden, front, and Crystal Palace's Jaydee Canvot challenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush, right, scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)