Ibrahim Said delivered a decisive strike in the closing stages, allowing Motherwell to kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign with a win over Hibernian at Easter Road. The Nigerian forward capped a swift counter‑attack in the 85th minute, sealing a 2‑1 victory for the visitors.
The match began with Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman earning a penalty, only to see it saved, and the home side quickly responded. Five minutes before the halftime whistle, Lukas Fadinger found the back of the net, giving Hibs a 1‑0 lead after a relatively quiet first half. Motherwell threatened to equalise when Regan Charles‑Cook missed a golden opportunity to double the lead.
However, the deadlock was broken in the 56th minute when Martin Boyle, after being bundled over by Priestman, slotted home to level the scores at 1‑1. Hibernian created two further chances that were cleared off the line by defender Martin Moorman, but Said soon restored Motherwell’s advantage with his fourth goal for the club, sending the Steelmen ahead for good. The win marked Motherwell’s third straight triumph under new manager Alfred Johansson, who has now won all three of his opening fixtures after taking over from Jens Berthel Askou.
The team had finished the previous season in fourth place, a position they replicated by securing three points at Easter Road. Only one player, Emmanuel Longelo of Motherwell, featured as a new signing after both clubs had celebrated European victories earlier in the week.
Early in the game, Hibs enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, but they failed to produce a shot on target, with Ethan Lowe’s half‑chance drifting wide. Motherwell, still missing a fully fit, recognised centre‑forward, struggled to build numbers in the first half, often relying on Said to drop deep and carry the ball forward from his own half.
As the half progressed, Motherwell grew more comfortable on the ball. Quick passing down the right flank culminated in Priestman being brought down by a clumsy challenge from Josh Mulligan, which resulted in the penalty that Fadinger converted for his third goal of the season. After the break, Charles‑Cook unleashed a 22‑yard effort that skimmed just wide after a rapid throw‑in caught Hibs off guard.
The former Ross County winger then had a clear chance to make it 2‑0 when Jason Kerr failed to control a high ball. Charles‑Cook found himself through on Raphael Sallinger but chose to shoot at the goalkeeper rather than round him, missing a simple scoring opportunity. Fadinger threatened from distance on two occasions, but Alex Paulsen was called into action for the first time, producing a superb diving save from Lowe’s first‑time volley. Motherwell inadvertently gifted Hibs the equaliser when Priestman, gesturing toward his own goalkeeper, saw the ball passed inside to him by Williams.
Boyle pounced on the misplaced pass, but was immediately bundled over by the Australian defender, allowing the ball to fall to the Hibs keeper for a safe clearance. The equaliser boosted Hibs’ confidence, and they began to create a series of promising chances. Owen Elding forced a fingertip save from Paulsen with a 30‑yard effort, while Lowe’s attempts were cleared off the line by Moorman after Motherwell’s goalkeeper could only palm away crosses in a congested penalty area.
Later, Lowe tried to finish Elding’s low cross but sent it wide after a quick free‑kick, as Motherwell clung to their slim lead. The visitors introduced debutants Alex Lowry and Jamie Knight‑Lebel, and a further substitute, Olly Whyte, won the ball in midfield and sparked a swift counter‑attack. Lowry exchanged a one‑two with Said, releasing Williams, whose square pass was side‑footed into the net by the Nigerian striker, restoring Motherwell’s advantage.
Paulsen made another important stop, denying Ante Suto, while Elding headed over his subsequent attempt. Lowry forced a further save as Motherwell held on to preserve the win. In summary, the match showcased Motherwell’s resilience and tactical adaptability under Johansson. Despite early setbacks and the absence of a fully fit centre‑forward, the team relied on quick transitions, disciplined defending, and the clinical finishing of Ibrahim Said to secure three points.
The victory not only gave them a positive start to the season but also reinforced the club’s ambition to challenge for European places once again.