Deon Burton - file

LONDON, CMC:

Three Caribbean World Cup stars put a sparkle in their Christmas celebrations with goals yesterday in Boxing Day football action in Britain.

Trinidad & Tobago's Collin Samuel and Denis Lawrence, who participated in this year's World Cup in Germany, scored for Dundee United and Swansea respectively, while Deon Burton, the prolific Reggae Boyz striker from the 1998 World Cup in France, got on the scoresheet for Sheffield Wednesday.

Playing at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Samuel scored Dundee's second goal in a 2-2 draw with Celtic, while at Gresty Road in north-west England, Lawrence sealed Swansea's 3-1 domination away to Crewe Alexandria.

Burton scored the winner for Wednesday as they beat Stoke 2-1 in the English West Midlands for the first time in 39 years.

The day was spoilt, however, by T&T striker Kenwyne Jones' sending off in Southampton's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at St Mary's in the south of England.

At Celtic Park, the 25-year-old Samuel doubled Dundee's lead in the 58th minute when he knocked in a rebound from a Barry Robson free-kick. The goal came after David Robertson had put the visitors ahead with a 17th minute header.

Celtic rebounded in the second half through goals by Darren O'Dea and Shunsuke Nakamura in the space of two minutes, to snatch a late draw.

At Gresty Road, the 32-year-old Lawrence scored one of his traditional headers two minutes after half-time, after Lee Trundle had earlier scored twice in the third and 23rd, to set up Swansea's victory.

Luke Varney got Crewe's consolation goal in the 59th minute to save the hosts some pride. The 30-year-old Burton, who has slipped out of the Reggae Boyz framework, came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner for Wednesday.

The visitors took the lead through Steven MacLean in the 35th minute before Mamady Sidibe knocked in the equaliser in the 60th minute.

On the field for four minutes after coming on as a sub in the 74th minute, Burton rescued Wednesday with a 22-yard volley.