Ibrahim Said delivered a decisive strike in the closing stages, helping Motherwell kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Hibernian at Easter Road. The match turned on a swift counter‑attack in the 85th minute, when Said finished the move with a calm finish to seal the victory for the visitors. The first half was relatively quiet, but Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman made an early impact by winning a penalty, only to see it saved. Five minutes before the half‑time whistle, Lukas Fadinger capitalised on a clumsy challenge on Priestman and put the Steelmen ahead, giving them a slender lead heading into the break.
In the second half, Regan Charles‑Cook had a golden opportunity to double Motherwell's advantage. He struck from distance, but his effort drifted just wide of the post. Shortly after, Hibernian's Martin Boyle restored parity in the 56th minute after being fouled by Priestman in the box; the ensuing penalty was calmly converted, sending the game back to level terms.
Hibs continued to press, forcing Motherwell goalkeeper Martin Moorman into two crucial goal‑line clearances. Nevertheless, Said's composure proved decisive when he tapped in his fourth goal for the club, restoring Motherwell's lead and ultimately deciding the match. The win was significant for the Steelmen, who finished fourth last season after a similar victory at Easter Road. They have adapted well to the departure of former manager Jens Berthel Askou, with new boss Alfred Johansson now boasting a perfect record of three wins from three league games.
Emmanuel Longelo was the only new face to feature for either side, having joined Motherwell after both clubs secured European victories on Thursday. The early phases saw Hibernian take the initiative, but they failed to register a shot on target, with Ethan Lowe seeing a half‑chance go wide.
Motherwell, still without a fully fit, recognised centre‑forward, struggled to find a rhythm in the opening half, often relying on Said to drop deep and drive the ball forward from his own half. As the half progressed, Motherwell grew more confident on the ball, with incisive passing down the right flank eventually leading to Priestman's ill‑timed challenge by Josh Mulligan, which opened the door for Fadinger to slot home his third league goal of the season. After the break, Charles‑Cook again tested the keeper, firing a 22‑yard effort just off the target after a quick throw‑in caught Hibs off guard. He should have made it 2‑0 when Jason Kerr failed to control a high ball, allowing Charles‑Cook to run onto a through‑ball past Raphael Sallinger, but he hesitated and shot at the goalkeeper instead of rounding him.
Fadinger threatened from distance twice, while Alex Paulsen was called into action for the first time, producing a spectacular diving save from Lowe's first‑time volley. Motherwell inadvertently gifted Hibs an equaliser when Priestman, gesturing towards his own goalkeeper, mis‑communicated with teammate Williams, who passed the ball inside to Boyle.
Boyle arrived quickly, was bundled over by the Australian defender, and converted the resulting penalty to level the score. The equaliser gave Hibs a surge of confidence, and they created several quality chances thereafter. Owen Elding forced a fingertip save from Paulsen with a 30‑yard effort, while Lowe saw his shots cleared off the line by Moorman after Motherwell's keeper could only palm away crosses in a crowded penalty area. Lowe later attempted to finish Elding's low cross but sent it wide, as Motherwell clung to their slender lead.
In the final stages, Motherwell introduced debutants Alex Lowry and Jamie Knight‑Lebel. A further substitute, Olly Whyte, won the ball in midfield and launched a swift counter‑attack.
Lowry exchanged a quick one‑two with Said, released Williams with a square pass, and the Nigerian forward side‑footed the ball past the Hibs keeper to restore Motherwell's advantage. Paulsen also made a crucial save from Ante Suto, while Elding headed over his subsequent chance. Lowry's defensive work helped Motherwell see out the win, securing three points and a positive start to the season.
Overall, the match showcased Motherwell's resilience and the impact of new manager Alfred Johansson's tactical adjustments. Despite early setbacks and a period of uncertainty without a fully fit striker, the team demonstrated depth, with several squad members stepping up to deliver decisive contributions.
Said's late winner not only highlighted his finishing ability but also underscored his importance as a leader on the pitch. The victory sets a promising tone for Motherwell's campaign, reinforcing their ambition to challenge for European spots and build on the momentum generated by a strong opening performance.