Ibrahim Said delivered a decisive strike in the closing stages, ensuring Motherwell opened their Scottish Premiership campaign with a victory at Easter Road against Hibernian. The Nigerian forward capped a swift counter‑attack in the 85th minute, sealing a 2‑1 triumph for the visitors. The match began with Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman winning a penalty early on, only to see it saved, leaving the score level.
As the first half drew to a close, Lukas Fadinger broke the deadlock five minutes before the break, slipping the ball past the Hibs goalkeeper to give the Steelmen a slender lead. Soon after the interval, Regan Charles‑Cook had an excellent opportunity to double Motherwell's advantage, but his effort drifted wide. Hibernian responded quickly: Martin Boyle capitalised on a foul on Priestman and equalised in the 56th minute, restoring parity and setting the tone for a tightly contested second half.
Hibs threatened again, with two attempts cleared off the line by Motherwell keeper Martin Moorman. The decisive moment arrived when Said, on his fourth goal for the club, found space inside the box and calmly slotted the ball home, putting Motherwell back in front. The win marked a continuation of Motherwell's strong form at Easter Road; they had already secured fourth place last season with a similar result.
The team has adapted well to the departure of former manager Jens Berthel Askou, and new boss Alfred Johansson has maintained an unbeaten start, boasting three wins from three fixtures. Both sides made a single substitution after their European victories on Thursday, with Motherwell bringing on Emmanuel Longelo. The match was broadcast on Sky Sports, with options for Sky subscribers and non‑subscribers alike to stream the Scottish Premiership. Hibernian started brightly, but Motherwell struggled to create clear chances early on.
Ethan Lowe produced a half‑chance that went wide, and Motherwell continued to miss a fully‑fit centre‑forward, forcing them to rely heavily on Said’s ability to carry the ball from deep positions. As the first half progressed, Motherwell grew more comfortable in possession, particularly on the right flank, where precise passing led to Priestman being challenged by Josh Mulligan.
The resulting free‑kick allowed Fadinger to slot home his third league goal of the season. After the break, Charles‑Cook unleashed a powerful shot from 22 yards that brushed the post. He later had a golden chance when a high ball was mis‑controlled by Jason Kerr; Charles‑Cook found himself one‑on‑one with Raphael Sallinger but chose to shoot at the goalkeeper instead of rounding him, missing the opportunity to extend the lead. Fadinger threatened from distance twice, testing the Hibs keeper Alex Paulsen, who made a spectacular diving save from Lowe’s first‑time volley.
Motherwell’s defensive line held firm, but a mis‑communication allowed Hibs to equalise. Priestman, after a misplaced pass intended for his goalkeeper, saw Boyle pounce and score, tying the match once more.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Hibs generated several chances. Owen Elding forced a fingertip save from Paulsen with a 30‑yard strike, while Lowe’s attempts were cleared off the line by Moorman after the Motherwell keeper could only parry crosses in a crowded penalty area. Lowe later missed a low cross from Elding, and the game hung in the balance.
In the final minutes, Motherwell introduced debutants Alex Lowry and Jamie Knight‑Lebel. A swift counter‑attack saw Olly Whyte win the ball in midfield and launch a rapid transition. Lowry exchanged a quick one‑two with Said, releasing Williams, whose square pass was met by Said, whose precise side‑foot finish restored Motherwell’s lead. Paulsen later saved a shot from Ante Suto, while Elding headed over his chance.
Lowry continued to trouble the Hibs defence, forcing another save as Motherwell saw out the match. Overall, the fixture showcased Motherwell’s resilience and tactical flexibility under Johansson. Despite early setbacks and the absence of a recognised striker, the team leveraged the dynamism of Said and the creativity of midfielders like Priestman and Fadinger.
Hibernian, while competitive and creating several clear opportunities, could not convert enough chances to overturn the result. The win not only provides three points but also reinforces Motherwell’s ambition to challenge for European spots this season, building on the momentum from last year’s strong finish.