Ibrahim Said secures Motherwell 2-1 win over Hibernian
Said’s 85th-minute strike caps smash-and-grab as Motherwell survive Hibs storm to secure a 2-1 win at Easter Road on opening day.
Motherwell secured a hard-fought 2-1 win at Easter Road as Ibrahim Said’s 85th-minute finish earned Alfred Johansson’s side a narrow victory over Hibernian. After a penalty apiece in a scrappy contest, the visitors’ slick team goal proved the difference as Hibs’ missed chances cost them dear.
Motherwell made the brighter start and took the lead just before half-time when Lukas Fadinger coolly converted a penalty after Josh Mulligan brought down Oscar Priestman in the box. It was a reward for some neat build-up play, though Hibs had offered little in response during a lacklustre first 45 minutes.
The hosts came out with far more impetus after the break and deservedly equalised from the spot when Martin Boyle was fouled in the box by Priestman after pouncing on a short back pass. Boyle stepped up to take the penalty and sent Alex Paulsen the same way as Fadinger, picking the bottom corner to level matters.
From there, David Gray’s side took control and should have taken the lead. Owen Elding was denied by a sharp Paulsen save before Martin Moormann made a crucial block on the line to keep out another Elding effort. Nathan Lowe then fired wide with the goal at his mercy, and Moormann again came to Motherwell’s rescue by heading a second Lowe chance off the line as Hibs piled on the pressure.
Those missed opportunities proved costly as Motherwell produced a sweeping counter on 85 minutes. Debutant Alex Lowry teed up Said with a neat one-two before releasing Dylan Williams down the left; his squared pass found Said, who slotted past Sallinger to complete a second-half smash-and-grab.
Up next for Hibernian, they play host to Shkendija on Thursday in the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying round tie, while Motherwell travel to take on HJK Helsinki on Thursday in the same competition.
After the game, Hibernian head coach David Gray, was disappointed to lose the game as he felt his team should have won all three points. He said: “I thought there was only one team that was going to win the game with the chances we created.
“We lose it through naivety. The goal we lose is really poor. Yes, people make mistakes, but don’t make two or three. We also need to be more clinical. You need to take your chances when you’re on top.”
New Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson praised the spirit of his side, adding: “It was a game of ups and downs for both teams and obviously I’m really pleased to come out with the three points.
“In the first half we showed some good stuff on the ball, but more than tactics we have to praise the spirit of the team because at time we had to ride out storms.”