Tawanda Maswanhise scored both of Motherwell's goals against UnitedImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Tawanda Maswanhise scored both of Motherwell's goals against United

At a glance

  • Maswanhise scores first-half penalty as Sevelj avoids sending off

  • Maswanhise doubles Well's advantage in first minute of second half with deflected goal

  • Motherwell one point behind Celtic, United 12 off Falkirk

ByCharlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Motherwell moved a point behind third-placed Celtic in the Scottish Premiership with a comfortable win at home to Dundee United.

The impressive Fir Park club, in front of a bumper home crowd, extended their unbeaten run to 11 games with their victory at home, while United are winless in their last three.

Motherwell's breakthrough came when Vicko Sevelj gave away a penalty for an off-the-ball altercation with Tawanda Maswanhise where the Dundee United defender appeared to elbow the Motherwell striker in the chest.

Referee Nick Walsh initially waved play on but was called over to the monitor to check for violent conduct. He deemed Sevelj's challenge reckless, therefore not enough for a red card, booked the defender and awarded a spot kick to the hosts.

Maswanhise stepped up to send Ashley Maynard-Brewer the wrong way and rolled the ball into the back of the net.

The in-form striker doubled Motherwell's advantage a minute into the second half.

Elijah Just launched a free-kick deep into the Dundee United half and Maswanhise picked up, under pressure from Sevelj, with the defender's deflection sending the shot into the near corner.

Jens Berthel Askou's side remain 10 points behind league leaders Hearts after they beat Aberdeen but narrowed the gap to Celtic before they play Rangers at Ibrox tomorrow.

After this weekend, Motherwell hold a game in hand over both Hearts and Rangers.

United remain seventh but are now 12 points behind Falkirk in sixth after their big win against Kilmarnock.

Analysis: Maswanhise magic continues, United top six charge all-but over

Tawanda Maswanhise's touch map against Dundee UnitedImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Tawanda Maswanhise's touch map against Dundee United

To absolutely no one's surprise Motherwell started the first half as they have done all season – on the front foot and playing their usual impressive, slick football.

They started as they meant to go on and by the time the full-time whistle blew at Fir Park they'd had 16 shots, five on target and 11 inside the Dundee United box as well as three big chances.

And of course star man Maswanhise stepped up when it mattered - once with a cool finish to tuck home a penalty before his early second-half effort hit off Sevelj and went into the back of the net.

That's now 16 league goals for the in-form Zimbabwe international, the most of any Premiership player.

For United it was another difficult afternoon. It was a day to forget for Sevelj who gave away an unnecessary penalty in the first half and sent the ball bouncing trying to get a leg in the way of the second.

That penalty also marked the 23rd first half goal United have conceded in 28 games and was also the sixth penalty they've given away - the third most of any Premiership team - only Kilmarnock and Livingston have conceded more.

The gap to Falkirk - 12 points - is looking pretty insurmountable now and there's even fewer points - nine - between them and Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot.

United's next two league games at home to St Mirren, who are six points behind Jim Goodwin's side, and away at Dundee, who are only two points off their city rivals, are becoming must-win games if the Tangerines want to avoid being dragged into a relegation fight.

What they said

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "Today we really deserved that clean sheet because we gave absolutely nothing away. We were on top of them, controlling the space in behind. It's great to see the players are just as hungry to keep a clean sheet and defend as they are going forward."

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "The game is turned on the penalty decision as far as I'm concerned. Motherwell didn't have a shot on target prior to the penalty kick being awarded. I have no idea why VAR are getting involved in that incident. The referee didn't deem it violent conduct otherwise he would have sent Vicko Sevelj off the park."

What's next?

Motherwell are back in league action when they travel to Dundee on Saturday 7 March (15:00 GMT).

Dundee United are at home to St Mirren on Tuesday night (19:45) before Friday night's Scottish Cup quarter-final at Falkirk (19:45).

Player of the match

Number: 20 E. Watt
Average rating 8.87
Number: 20 E. Watt
Average Rating: 8.87
Number: 8 C. Slattery
Average Rating: 8.67
Number: 18 T. Maswanhise
Average Rating: 8.60
Number: 21 E. Just
Average Rating: 8.47
Number: 15 E. Björgólfs­son
Average Rating: 8.30
Number: 57 S. Welsh
Average Rating: 8.28
Number: 16 P. McGinn
Average Rating: 8.13
Number: 2 S. O'Donnell
Average Rating: 8.10
Number: 12 L. Fadinger
Average Rating: 8.00
Number: 13 C. Ward
Average Rating: 7.83
Number: 90 I. Said
Average Rating: 7.82
Number: 25 O. Priestman
Average Rating: 7.79
Number: 45 E. Longelo
Average Rating: 7.67
Number: 28 L. Ross
Average Rating: 7.53
Number: 77 Regan Charles-Cook
Average Rating: 7.13
Number: 7 T. Sparrow
Average Rating: 7.06

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.