Celtic didn't step out of third gear to close the gap on Rangers to three points. Celtic lined up with Ulrik Laursen replacing Johan Mjallby, alongside Balde and Valgaeren in defence. Jackie McNamara, Stan Petrov and Didier Agathe occupied the midfield area. With John Hartson injured, it was a chance for big Sutton to return to his favoured up-front position alongside Henrik Larsson, and Neil Lennon made a welcome comeback in the centre of midfield.
Sutton's first goal came after seven minutes, stretching to get a touch to a McNamara goal-bound shot.
Thistle failed to threaten the Celtic defence, and after 33 minutes, it was game over. Didier Agathe done superb, beating 2 men on the right hand side, and Sutton latched on to a poor clearance from the Thistle defence to shoot home.
Celtic had several chances to add to the 2-0 lead, Henrik Larsson missing two good chances, Sutton and Smith also coming close. Thistle's only real attempt at goal came after 71 minutes, when Archibald tried to lob Magnus Hedman from long range.
A decent result and performance, and good to see Neil Lennon back in action. Three points were all that mattered, keeping the pressure on the huns.
Celtic:
Hedman - 6
Balde - 7
Valgaeren - 7
Laursen - 7
Agathe - 6
Lennon - 8 (Healy 87) - 4
Petrov - 7
McNamara - 6
Smith - 6
Sutton - 9
Larsson - 7
Man of the Match: CHRIS SUTTON