Motherwell 1-3 Hibernian

Hibs quotes Motherwell quotes

Hibernian collected the points at Fir Park after carving Motherwell open with some enterprising attacking play.

Guillaume Beuzelin put Hibs in front after 20 minutes with a free header from Derek Riordan's corner.

Hibs squandered several good chances before Michael Stewart bundled in a loose ball after Graeme Smith parried a 68th-minute shot from Garry O'Connor.

Riordan fired an angled strike in off the post on 80 minutes before Richie Foran netted from the penalty spot.

It was a well deserved win for the Easter Road side who now sit alone in third place just three points behind second-placed Celtic.

Motherwell manager Terry Butcher will be concerned that his side could do little with the possession they enjoyed and, but for a fine display from Smith, the margin of defeat could have been greater.

A breathless opening period saw both sides flying forward with real purpose.

The pace of Ivan Sproule caused the home side a few problems, while David Clarkson was looking very lively up front for Motherwell.

Clarkson latched on to Steven Hammell's searching ball in the first minute and forced Zbigniew Malkowski into a smart save.

Sproule then crossed for Garry O'Connor and the Scotland striker's first-time shot whistled inches wide of the post.

A dipping 25-yard strike from Stewart saw Smith produce an impressive save at full stretch.

And from the resulting corner Beuzelin rose unmarked at the back post to head home from Riordan's delivery.

Hibs were dealt a blow on 35 minutes when midfielder Kevin Thomson hobbled off and the youngster must now be a doubt for Thursday's Uefa Cup tie in Dnipro.

Visiting skipper Gary Caldwell connected well with a free-kick from distance but Smith gathered comfortably.

Riordan was on target for Hibernian

The second period also started at breakneck speed and Malkowski was again called into action to stop a low shot from Scott McDonald.

Sproule then burst clear of the Motherwell defence but Smith did brilliantly to block at the winger's feet as the Hibs man tried to round him.

Motherwell were pouring forward in search of an equaliser but that left them vulnerable to Hibs' counter-attacks.

Smith made another great save to keep out O'Connor's strike after more good work from Sproule and a clumsy touch from O'Connor saw a great chance go to waste as Riordan was waiting unmarked for a pass in front of goal.

Sproule then managed to lob Smith but his effort lacked pace and was cleared on the goal-line by Stephen Craigan.

Hibs eventually added to their tally when Smith could only parry O'Connor's shot and Stewart was first to the rebound to squeeze the ball home.

The visitors were finding all sorts of space behind the home defence and Riordan raced in to score a third goal when his shot found the net via a post.

Motherwell were awarded a penalty when Stephen Glass upended McDonald and Foran converted from the spot.

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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, McLean, Kinniburgh, Craigan, Hammell, Kerr, Fagan (Andy Smith 76), O'Donnell, Foran, Scott McDonald, Clarkson (Steve McDonald 90). Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Keogh, Connolly, Darren Lee Smith.

Booked: McLean, Foran, Fagan, Hammell. Goal: Foran 83 pen.

Hibernian: Malkowski, Whittaker, Caldwell, Hogg, Murphy, Thomson (Glass 35), Beuzelin, Stewart, O'Connor (Morrow 84), Riordan (Fletcher 81), Sproule. Subs Not Used: Simon Brown, Shiels, Rudge, Konte.

Booked: Sproule, Malkowski. Goals: Beuzelin 20, Stewart 68, Riordan 80.

Att: 6,461

Ref: D McDonald