Ibrahim Said delivered a dramatic late strike that gave Motherwell a 2-1 triumph over Hibernian at Easter Road, marking a positive start to the Scottish Premiership campaign for the visiting side. The decisive goal arrived in the 85th minute, capping a swift counter‑attack that saw Said finish with composure and seal the three points for the Steelmen. The match opened with Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman involved in a pivotal moment early on. He won a penalty for the visitors, but his own challenge later resulted in a concession when he was bundled over by Hibs defender Martin Boyle, who equalised in the 56th minute.
Before that, Lukas Fadinger had put Motherwell ahead five minutes before the half‑time whistle, slipping the ball past the Hibs goalkeeper to make it 1-0 after a well‑executed move that broke a relatively quiet first half. Hibernian responded quickly after the break, creating a flurry of chances.
Regan Charles‑Cook came close to doubling Motherwell's lead when he fired a powerful shot from 22 yards that grazed the post. Shortly thereafter, a high ball fell to Charles‑Cook, who found himself one‑on‑one with goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, but he opted to shoot rather than attempt a dribble around the keeper, missing the target and allowing Hibs to stay in the game. Defensive drama unfolded when Martin Moorman cleared two Hibs efforts off the line, preserving Motherwell's slim advantage. Meanwhile, Said, who has now scored four goals for the club, found space inside the box and calmly slotted the winner past the Hibs keeper, restoring his reputation as a clutch performer.
The win was significant for Motherwell, who finished fourth in the league last season and have adjusted well to the departure of former manager Jens Berthel Askou. New boss Alfred Johansson has already recorded three wins from his first three games, indicating a smooth transition and a promising start under his leadership. Only one player, Emmanuel Longelo, was a new addition for either side, having featured in European fixtures earlier in the week. The match was also broadcast with various viewing options, including the Sky Sports app for subscribers and a free streaming alternative for those without a Sky contract.
In the early stages, Hibs tried to impose themselves but failed to produce a shot on target, with Ethan Lowe seeing his half‑chance drift wide. Motherwell, still without a fully fit, recognised centre‑forward, struggled to build sustained pressure in the opening half, often relying on Said to carry the ball from deep positions. As the half progressed, however, their confidence grew, and sharp passing down the right flank led to Priestman's clumsy challenge by Josh Mulligan, which resulted in a penalty that Fadinger converted for his third goal of the season.
After the interval, Charles‑Cook again threatened, this time from 22 yards, but his effort sailed just wide. He should have extended the lead when a high ball from Jason Kerr was mis‑controlled, allowing Charles‑Cook to break through on Raphael Sallinger.
Instead of rounding the keeper, he opted for a low shot that was easily saved. Fadinger continued to menace from distance, testing the Hibs goalkeeper twice with long‑range attempts. Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen was called into action early in the second half, producing a spectacular diving save from Lowe's first‑time volley.
Later, Motherwell gifted Hibs an equaliser when Priestman, pointing to his own keeper, mis‑communicated and passed the ball to Williams, who quickly found Boyle. Boyle was bundled over by the Australian defender, allowing the ball to fall to Boyle, who calmly converted the resulting penalty to level the score at 1-1. Buoyed by the equaliser, Hibs generated several quality chances.
Owen Elding forced a fingertip save from Paulsen with a 30‑yard strike, while Lowe's attempts were again cleared off the line by Moorman after Motherwell's goalkeeper could only palm away crosses in a crowded penalty area. Lowe later missed a low cross from Elding, and Motherwell held onto their slim lead. Substitutions added fresh impetus to the game. Motherwell introduced debutants Alex Lowry and Jamie Knight‑Lebel, while Hibs brought on Olly Whyte, who won a midfield duel and launched a quick break.
Lowry exchanged a one‑two with Said, releasing Williams into space; Williams delivered a square ball that the Nigerian forward side‑footed into the net, securing the winning goal. In the closing minutes, Paulsen made a crucial save from Ante Suto, and Elding headed over the bar.
Lowry forced another defensive stop as Motherwell saw out the match, maintaining their lead until the final whistle. Overall, the encounter showcased Motherwell's resilience, tactical adaptability under Alfred Johansson, and the decisive impact of Ibrahim Said, whose late winner epitomised the team's fighting spirit. The victory not only adds three points to their league tally but also sets a positive tone for the season ahead, with the Steelmen demonstrating depth, strategic acumen, and the ability to grind out results even when faced with injuries and lineup changes.