Celtic stretched their lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League to 16 points and their winning run to 25 matches with another goal blitz at Parkhead.

As Rangers faltered at Dundee United, Stephen Pearson, Chris Sutton, Alan Thompson (two) and Henrik Larsson all helped themselves in a Sunday goal feast.

Celtic took their SPL goals tally to 86 this season and few would bet against them ensuring the championship trophy returns to Parkhead before next month's split.

Even though Livingston's on-loan playmaker David Fernandez could not play against his parent club, the home side made a slow start by their own high standards.

In fact it was Livingston who threatened first in the eighth minute. Marvin Andrews directed Jamie McAllister's cross back into the danger area and Derek Lilley headed on target only for Robert Douglas to touch the ball over for a corner.

The Celtic response was almost instant when Larsson teed the ball up for Stilian Petrov on the edge of the box but he blazed high over the top.

John Kennedy then came to the rescue of the home side in the 11th minute with a last-gasp tackle on Fernando Pasquinelli after Burton O'Brien had played him through in the box.

But the Celtic nerves were eased a minute later when they took the lead, albeit with a hint of offside.

Stanislav Varga exchanged passes with Sutton and had time to look up and roll the ball across the face of goal to present Pearson with the easiest of tap-ins.

The Livingston players kept their heads up and Andrews should have done better in the 15th minute when he rose above the Celtic defence to head O'Brien's corner wide.

The champions-elect should have been punished in the 20th minute when Varga gifted Livingston a glorious chance for the equaliser.

The defender was caught in possession by David McNamee before Stuart Lovell rolled the ball into the path of Lilley but he shot straight at Rob Douglas from point-blank range.

The Livingston captain was equally as red-faced in the 24th minute but Roddy McKenzie saved him by stretching to divert his mis-hit backpass around the post.

Petrov should have benefited from a lucky bounce on the half hour but the ball ran away from him and McKenzie was quick off his line to save.

The Celtic players could have been forgiven for being distracted by the bursts of celebrations around the ground with news coming from Tannadice.

But instead they increased their lead in the 36th minute when Larsson flicked on Thompson's free-kick and Sutton poked the ball past McKenzie from close range.

The Celtic defence, however, let Livingston back in the game with some terrible defending in the 41st minute and Lilley capitalised to fire low past Douglas.

Neil Lennon got himself involved in a stupid flare-up with McAllister moments later and deservedly had his name taken by Stuart Dougal.

Lennon and McAllister continued their spat in the tunnel but the referee was still on the pitch and apparently missed the incident.

The pair came out for the second half and it took Celtic just three minutes of the restart to re-establish their two-goal lead.

Thompson cut in from the left flank and exchanged passes with Sutton before coolly curling a right-footed effort past the despairing hand of McKenzie and into the corner.

Celtic wrapped up the three points in the 55th minute when McKenzie was penalised for picking up Manu Dorado's backpass and Larsson smashed a right-footed shot home.

The pressure from the home side was relentless and Sutton headed Thompson's corner onto the top of the net.

There was still time for Thompson to notch his second from the spot with a cheeky chip past McKenzie after substitute Craig Beattie had been fouled by Andrews.

The referee put Livingston out of their misery with the final whistle to spark wild celebrations among the Celtic fans, who are now surely counting down the games to the return of the championship trophy to Parkhead.

Teams

Celtic Douglas, Kennedy, Balde, Varga (Valgaeren 74), Agathe, Lennon, Petrov, Pearson, Thompson, Larsson (Beattie 67), Sutton (Sylla 67).

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Lambert.

Booked: Lennon, Varga.

Goals: Pearson 12, Sutton 36, Thompson 48, Larsson 55, Thompson 80 pen.

Livingston McKenzie, McNamee, Rubio (McMenamin 45), Andrews, McAllister, O'Brien, Lovell, Makel (McGovern 65), Dorado, Lilley, Pasquinelli.

Subs Not Used: Main, McLaughlin, Brittain.

Booked: McAllister, McNamee, McMenamin.

Goals: Lilley 41.

Att: 57,973

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).