Ibrahim Said delivered a decisive strike in the closing stages, helping Motherwell kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 2-1 win over Hibernian at Easter Road. The decisive goal arrived in the 85th minute, capping off a swift counter‑attack that saw Said finish the move with composure and clinch all three points for the visitors. The match began with Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman winning a penalty early on, only to see it saved, which set the tone for a game full of missed opportunities and tactical adjustments. Five minutes before the half‑time whistle, Lukas Fadinger broke the deadlock for the visitors, slipping the ball past the Hibs goalkeeper to give Motherwell a 1-0 lead.
The first half was relatively uneventful, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances, but Fadinger’s goal provided a much‑needed boost for the Steelmen. Just after the interval, Regan Charles‑Cook had a golden opportunity to double Motherwell’s advantage.
He found himself in a promising position and unleashed a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target, leaving the score unchanged. However, the lead was short‑lived.
In the 56th minute, Hibernian’s Martin Boyle levelled the score after a clumsy challenge from Priestman left him free inside the box. Boyle calmly slotted the ball home, restoring parity and reigniting the contest. The remainder of the first half saw Hibs threaten on several occasions, with two of their attempts being cleared off the line by Motherwell defender Martin Moorman. The defensive resilience displayed by Moorman kept the visitors in the game and set the stage for the dramatic finish that would follow.
In the final minutes, Said, who had already scored three times for Motherwell this season, found space on the edge of the penalty area. He took a measured touch before firing a low, accurate shot into the bottom corner, securing his fourth goal for the club and sealing a 2-1 victory. Motherwell entered the match after finishing fourth in the previous season, a position they secured with a win at Easter Road.
The team has adapted well to the departure of former manager Jens Berthel Askou, with new boss Alfred Johansson guiding them to three wins from three matches. Emmanuel Longelo was the sole player to make his debut for either side, having featured in a European fixture the previous Thursday.
For fans wanting to watch the action, the game was available on the Sky Sports app for Sky subscribers, while non‑subscribers could stream the match via alternative platforms. Highlights and full‑match replays were also accessible through the Sky Sports mobile application. The opening exchanges saw Hibs take the initiative, but they failed to convert early chances, with Ethan Lowe’s half‑chance drifting wide. Motherwell, still without a fully fit, recognized centre‑forward, relied heavily on Said’s ability to carry the ball from deep positions.
Throughout the first half, the Steelmen struggled to maintain a cohesive shape, often appearing outnumbered in midfield. Nevertheless, as the half progressed, they grew more confident on the ball, executing crisp passes down the right flank. A mis‑timed challenge by Josh Mulligan on Priestman resulted in a penalty, which Fadinger calmly dispatched to give Motherwell the lead.
After the break, Charles‑Cook’s effort from 22 yards sailed just over the bar, and a subsequent chance saw him break free on the edge of the box, only to shoot at the goalkeeper after a high ball from Jason Kerr was mishandled. Fadinger continued to test Hibs’ keeper with two long‑range efforts, while 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 an equaliser when Priestman, under pressure, pointed to his goalkeeper, prompting a misplaced pass from Williams that Boyle intercepted and turned into a goal, capitalising on the confusion caused by the Australian defender’s challenge.
The equaliser revitalised Hibs, who began to create several quality chances. Owen Elding forced a fingertip save from Paulsen with a 30‑yard strike, and Lowe’s attempts were once again cleared off the line by Moorman after Motherwell’s goalkeeper could only palm away crowded crosses. Lowe later missed a low cross from Elding, allowing Hibs to maintain pressure.
In the final stages, Motherwell introduced debutants Alex Lowry and Jamie Knight‑Lebel. A substitute, Olly Whyte, won a midfield duel and launched a rapid counter‑attack.
Lowry exchanged a quick one‑two with Said, then threaded a square pass to Williams, whose side‑footed finish found the back of the net, restoring Motherwell’s lead. Paulsen made a crucial save from Ante Suto, while Elding headed over the bar. Lowry’s energy forced another defensive stop as Motherwell saw out the match, preserving the 2-1 win.
Overall, the encounter showcased Motherwell’s resilience and tactical adaptability under Johansson. Despite early setbacks and moments of defensive frailty, the team’s ability to exploit counter‑attacking opportunities, combined with Said’s clinical finishing, ensured a positive start to the season. The victory not only adds three points to their tally but also reinforces the squad’s confidence as they aim to build on their previous season’s success and contend for higher league positions.