New Dundee manager Ivano Bonetti began his SPL season in acrimonious circumstances after receiving a red card in his side's 2-0 victory over Motherwell.

Goals from Patrizio Billio and Javier Artero sealed all three points for Bonetti's side, but two yellow cards for the Italian player-manager marred Dundee's win.

Bonetti gave six players their league debuts and one of them, Fabian Caballero, scored the opener after eight minutes after a mazy run on the right found Billio in the box.

The Italian pulled away from two Dundee defenders to shoot past Andy Goram giving he Motherwell keeper no chance.

Well were dealt a blow early on in the first half when striker Kevin Twaddle was stretchered off with a knee injury, forcing manager Billy Davies to replace him with youngster Martin Woods.

Chances were not in short supply. Both sides could have gone in at the interval 3-3 were it not for the efforts of the woodwork and fine goalkeeping.

Rasping

Dundee hit the post three times while Motherwell were denied by excellent keeping by Robert Douglas, with one save of particular note from Stephen McMillan a 25-yard strike from Stephen McMillan.

The second half began eventfully when Bonetti was sent off after a reckless challenge on subsitute Martin Woods.

The Italian was booked in the first half by referee John Rowbotham, who had no option but to send off the Dundee manager.

The home side, even with the extra man advantage, could not penetrate the Dundee defence and the game was settled in the 89th minute.

Artero dribbled his way into the Motherwell penalty area, beating four defenders in the process, and left Goram wrong-footed as he casually flicked the ball over the keeper into the net.

Motherwell: Goram, Corrigan, Kemble, Strong, McMillan, Townsley, Davies, Brannan, Harvey, Twaddle, Nicholas. Subs: Hammell, Woods, Elliott, Wood, Queifio.

Dundee: Douglas, Smith, Tweed, de Marchi, Marrocco, Bonetti, Nemsadze, Billio, Sara, Caballero. Subs: Falconer, McSkimming, Langfield, Milne, Bayne.

Referee: John Rowbotham.