Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways in the Absa Premiership when they thrashed Bloemfontein Celtic 3-0 at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

Bernard Parker opened the scoring in the first half and Knowledge Musona doubled the lead after the break before a late own-goal from Keagan Buchanan completed the rout.

Patrick Tignyemb was the busier goalkeeper in the opening minutes, stopping a tame effort from Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 4th minute, before smothering another effort from Parker six minutes later.

The visitors had an opportunity in the 28th minute as Joel Mogorosi did well to connect with a corner from Keagan Buchanan, but his header flew wide of the target.

A minute later Tshabalala used his pace and skill to good effect at the other end as he cut in from the flank to switch the ball to his left foot, but his final shot flew over the crossbar.

Chiefs eventually broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Celtic failed to clear the lines; the ball fell kindly for Parker, who calmly slotted home from inside the box to hand his side the lead going into the break.

Parker had an opportunity to double the lead five minutes into the second half but this time he fired wide of the target, before Gabadinho Mhango saw his effort saved by Itumeleng Khune three minutes later.

Ernst Middendorp’s side came inches close to levelling matters on the hour mark when Mogorosi ran onto a through-pass from Musa Nyatama, but his solid strike was tipped onto the crossbar by Khune.

Amakhosi increased their lead in the 71st minute as Musona expertly curled the ball into the top right corner, leaving Tignyemb with no chance.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors in the 89th minute when Buchanan headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear a corner from Musona, handing Chiefs a 3-0 lead.

Mogorosi, who was a constant threat to the Chiefs defence, had one last opportunity to score a consolation goal at the death, but his effort went just wide of the target as Chiefs held on for a comfortable win.

Amakhosi remain at the top of the standings with 43 points from 19 matches, nine points more than second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, while Celtic are in ninth place with 23 points from 18 matches.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 3 (Parker 43’, Musona 71’, Buchanan OG 89’)

Bloemfontein Celtic 0

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa (Gordinho 87’), Mathoho, Mashamaite, Mtsweni, Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala, Parker (Rusike 90’), Musona, Nkhatha (Mphela 78’)

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Mahoa (Ntanga 68’), Bilankulu, Nkausu, Daniels, Mogorosi, Letlabika, Buchanan, Nyatama, Mhango (Lamola 75’), Gabonamong