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Page last updated at 16:51 GMT, Saturday, 22 November 2008

Motherwell 1-4 Hibernian

Derek Riordan and Steven Fletcher
Fletcher (right) celebrates his goal with fellow scorer Riordan

Hibernian ended a six-match winless streak with a deserved victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.

The first half ended level with John Rankin's early strike cancelled out by Bob Malcolm's excellent free-kick for the home side.

Dean Shiels converted at the end of a neat passing move to regain Hibs' lead shortly after the interval.

Steven Fletcher fired in a spectacular strike from 30 yards and Derek Riordan added a fourth late on.

Victory moves Hibs above Motherwell into fifth in the Scottish Premier League table.

Rankin capped a bright opening for the visitors with the opening goal after six minutes.

The midfielder outpaced Malcolm and slotted past Graeme Smith from outside the penalty area.

Sol Bamba threatened to extend Hibs' lead when he headed over from Riordan's cross.

Riordan then found himself clean through on goal from Fletcher's flick-on, but Graeme Smith saved well from the Hibs striker.

Motherwell gradually came back into the match and Malcolm was unsuccessful with two-long range free-kicks before brining his side level three minutes before half-time.

Hibs captain Rob Jones was penalised for a foul on Chris Porter and Malcolm sent a curling drive into the top corner from 20 yards.

Dean Shiels and Stephen Hammell
Dean Shiels (left) and Stephen Hammell contest an aerial challenge

Shiels restored Hibs' lead after 50 minutes when he latched on to Fletcher's back-heel and fired past Smith from 16 yards.

Fletcher put the Edinburgh side further ahead in the 61st minute with a superb low strike from distance into the bottom corner.

Motherwell attempted to reduce the deficit straight away with John Sutton's long-range effort blocked by goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay.

Bamba ventured forward to test the Motherwell goal again and Smith required two attempts to claim the defender's shot.

Porter volleyed over as Well struggled to work their way back into the match.

And Shiels could have further extended Hibs' lead when he went through on goal only to see his shot hit the bar on its way out.

Riordan then flashed a volley across Smith's goal from a tight angle.

Jim O'Brien ghosted in to head towards goal, but Ma-Kalambay saved well before Riordan struck in the closing stages.

The home defence backed off as Riordan advanced towards goal and the striker beat Smith with a low drive.


Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:
"Without doubt, that's the worst performance since I've been here.

"It was embarrassing at times. We looked like 11 individuals; we weren't playing as a team.

"That was just unacceptable. If it was a boxing match, it might have been stopped at half time and we didn't improve after the break.

"It's a mystery because, only a week ago, we played some of our best football when we held Rangers 0-0 here, but it's a mystery we'll work hard to solve."

Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen:
"It was a tremendous team performance.

"Motherwell are very direct, with powerful forwards, and our defence handled them very well, battling for every second ball.

"Up front, we scored four goals and we had fantastic strikes, great finishes and build-up play. There was a bit of everything.

"The boys really wanted to show what they are made of after some disappointing results."


Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Malcolm, Reynolds, Hammell, McGarry (O'Brien 64), Lasley, Hughes, Murphy (Darren Smith 70), Porter, Sutton.
Subs Not Used: Nielsen, Klimpl, Fitzpatrick, Connolly, Forbes.

Booked: Malcolm, Lasley.

Goals: Malcolm 42.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, van Zanten, Jones, Hogg, Murray, Bamba (Thicot 90), Rankin, Chisholm, Shiels (Stevenson 88), Fletcher (Nish 80), Riordan.
Subs Not Used: McNeil, Yantorno, O'Brien, Keenan.

Booked: Jones, Hogg, Bamba.

Goals: Rankin 6, Shiels 50, Fletcher 61, Riordan 90.

Att: 4,957

Ref: C Richmond


BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Hibernian's Steven Fletcher 7.50 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.



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see also
SPL photo gallery
22 Nov 08 |  Scottish Premier
SPL as it happened
22 Nov 08 |  Scottish Premier


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