Murphy and Porter were on target for Motherwell in the first half
Motherwell edged Falkirk out in a frantic five-goal thriller at Fir Park.
Jamie Murphy shot the home side in front on 12 minutes only for Steve Lovell to reply with a neat finish.
Bairns goalkeeper Robert Olejnik then spilled the ball as he slipped out of his penalty area, gifting Chris Porter the easiest of finishes.
Graham Barrett equalised with an angled shot early in the second half but John Sutton headed home the winner with his fifth goal in five SPL games for 'Well.
Falkirk arrived at Fir Park on a four-game unbeaten run but came unstuck against a Motherwell side determined to make up for their lacklustre Uefa Cup exit.
Both sides opened up with three men up front and there was not much in the way of midfield play as the ball was moved swiftly into forward positions.
The home side were given the first glimpse of goal when Murphy's angled shot was deflected off a defender and Olejnik had to look smart to push it away.
The teenager was then presented with an unexpected chance as Jackie McNamara misjudged a simple, lofted pass from Paul Quinn and Murphy kept a cool head to steer his shot home from 12 yards.
The visitors were soon back on level terms and again it stemmed from a long punt out of defence.
Murphy and Porter were on target for Motherwell in the first half
Michael Higdon flicked the ball on and Lovell raced through the static Motherwell defence to slip the ball beyond advancing keeper Graeme Smith for his third goal in three games.
However, the home side were back in front less than 60 seconds later thanks to a calamitous bit of goalkeeping from Olejnik.
The Bairns custodian came speeding out to collect but lost his footing and released the ball in a panic as he slid out of his penalty area, leaving Porter with the simple task of rolling it into an unguarded net.
Motherwell continued to press and found their passing rhythm to keep the visitors hemmed in their own half of the field.
Five minutes before the interval, Olejnik made a good diving save to keep out Steve McGarry's low shot after a series of slick interchanges.
Falkirk defender Lee Bullen then fashioned a miraculous goal-line clearance to deny Porter on the stroke of half time.
Motherwell must have been disappointed to be just one ahead at the break and they were punished three minutes into the second period when the Bairns drew level for the second time.
Higdon was again the creator, slipping the ball into the feet of Barrett and the Irishman turned neatly to direct a low shot across the sprawling Smith and into the far corner of the net.
But Motherwell wasted no time in regaining the lead, with Sutton rising highest to powerfully head home a wonderful McGarry cross from the left flank.
Lovell almost caught Smith napping with an audacious long range volley, which flashed just wide of the Motherwell keeper's post.
Higdon then saw his header scrambled away by Smith, with a bit of help from his captain Steven Craigan, while Sutton's 20-yard drive gave Olejnik a fright as it fizzed past.
The whirlwind pace of the game took its toll in the closing stages, with both sides looking weary and 'Well held on comfortably for the win their first half display merited.
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee: "The result was terrific and the performance was pretty good. A lot of aspects of the performance were very good. We looked more like ourselves.
"We expect to be a passing team and there was some good interplay and some good movement. We maybe didn't defend as well as we like at times but Falkirk have big strikers and they put pressure on you.
"No matter what anyone thought about Thursday night, I saw some signs in that game that made me think we were on our way back. It was obviously a disappointing result but there were some things in there that gave me encouragement.
"I think we continued that today. And we've earned three points against a team we couldn't beat last year.
"And it is absolutely terrific for Jamie Murphy to get his goal at home. We're delighted for Jamie and delighted with his performance."
Falkirk manager John Hughes: "Defensively, we have to be better but I thought we always looked dangerous.
"I've yet to see anyone score a great goal against us this season; we have been conceding as a result of basic mistakes and you won't win anything giving three goals away.
"You need a strong mentality for confidence and belief and I just feel one or two are kidding me on. You need to put your body on the line and take responsibility and there were bits and pieces missing over the 90 minutes; maybe it cost us."
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