Aberdeen’s disastrous winless run was extended to 10 games after they lost 2-0 at Fir Park.
Jimmy Thelin’s side have now lost their last five Premiership games, picking up just three points in a ferocious run that has all but erased memories of the Swedish manager’s sensational start that saw them rise to the top of the table. I couldn’t.
The hosts took the lead 11 minutes before half-time with Euan Wilson’s first professional goal, but the 60 seconds before the interval proved to be a harrowing moment for the Dons.
Slobodan Lubezic was sent off for a collision with Tony Watt, and Tawanda Maswanhise doubled Motherwell’s advantage with a goal on goal shortly after the restart.
The Dons improved in the second half, but could not find their way back into the game.
Both managers made four changes in hopes of ending their respective winless records.
Nick Walsh consulted VAR in the eighth minute after Davor Zdravkovskiy was penalized for a late challenge on Sibert Nilsen, but a yellow card was deemed an appropriate penalty for the North Macedonian international.
The first chance of note came when Kevin Nisbet headed in from Ante Palaversa’s corner.
Motherwell responded in the affirmative. Mazwanhise tested Ross Doohan in the Aberdeen goal with a fierce shot from the edge of the box, then Dan Casey, selected by Andy Halliday, missed a great chance when his header went wide.
Motherwell’s Ewan Wilson celebrates opening goal
Most of the Dons’ threat came from set-piece situations and Aston Oxborough were forced into a good stop when Nicky Devlin rose highest to meet Paraversa’s corner.
Just past the half-hour mark, a promising well attack involving Maswanhise and Moses Ebiye ended as Watt took too long to pull the trigger, allowing Palaversa to return and block.
The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute. The away defense was easily opened up and Watt’s cut-back fell to Wilson, who smashed the ball home.
After a crazy 60 seconds, Aberdeen faced a mountain to climb as the game headed towards half-time.
After a joint effort with Watt, Lubezic was adjudged to have headbutted Idoo, resulting in a straight red card.
Things got even worse for the visitors when play resumed, and a simple long ball from Liam Gordon sent Maswanhuis on goal, who made no mistake sending a diagonal drive past Doohan.
Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswinhuis (right) celebrates scoring to make it 2-0.
Devlin came very close to dragging Aberdeen into the game, but his shot on goal was well deflected by Gordon.
Time was running out for the visitors, with 18 minutes remaining as Palaversa’s powerful shot hit the underside of the bar, but Maswanhise’s shot narrowly missed the target and would survive on his own.
Stuart Kettlewell introduced Callum Slattery in the closing stages for his first appearance in over a year, while skipper Paul McGinn also returned from injury.
The final chance of the game went to Sam Nicholson, who ran home with a fierce touch.
