Motherwell beat Dundee in controversial five-goal epic

2 years ago 49
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Theo Bair rounded the keeper for his 13th league goal of the seasonTheo Bair rounded the keeper to score his 13th league goal of the season

Moses Ebiye's 93rd-minute winner completed an incredible Motherwell comeback from two goals down as they beat Dundee amid controversial scenes to keep their Scottish Premiership top-six hopes alive.

The visitors were unhappy about referee David Dickinson's decision to deem the pitch playable after two inspections and found themselves two down after Jordan McGhee and Luke McCowan scored for the hosts.

However, the unlikely comeback began when Georgie Gent tucked in a rebound after Theo Bair's missed penalty, with the Canadian striker scoring himself two minutes later.

And debutant Ebiye got a scarcely-believable the winner, volleying in Jack Vale's cross in stoppage-time.

The win means Motherwell stay eighth and know victory over Hibernian next weekend would clinch a top-six place if Dundee lose their final two matches before the split.

It seemed all the drama in this game would come before kick-off, as Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell complained of a "ridiculous" few days in which the much-maligned pitch was inspected on three separate occasions.

Whispers abounded. The game was off. Then if was on. Then back on again. But eventually it went ahead, even after Motherwell lodged a complaint with the SPFL before a ball was even kicked.

Their mood wasn't helped by the first half. It was the wind, not the rain, that threatened to turn this game turgid but Dundee made better weather of it.

McGhee headed in from close range after Amadou Bakayoko's headed cut-back, then it got worse in the 70th minute when Liam Kelly could only watch as McCowan curled the ball into his net direct from a corner.

But Motherwell have forged a reputation of not giving up this season.

They hit back quickly when Joe Shaughnessy was penalised for a handball in his own box. Jon McCracken saved Bair's penalty, but Gent was quickest to react.

Dickinson wasn't happy, though. It seemed he'd given a Dundee free-kick. Encroachment appeared to the problem. The replay showed nothing doing, and the goal was given.

Moments later, Bair made amends. A simple clearance saw him one-on-one after he'd shrugged off a Dundee defender. He chopped one way, then another, sat down the keeper, and rolled the ball home.

A draw wasn't enough though, and Motherwell knew it. Dundee were collapsing around them, unable to stem the waves of attack, and a winner felt inevitable.

Vale whipped in a cross and Moses, on for his Motherwell debut, placed his volley into the bottom corner to spark mad scenes in the away end and complete another miracle.

Player of the Match - Theo Bair (Motherwell)

Theo BairMissed a few good chances, but his mere presence on the pitch gives Motherwell confidence. Worth his weight in gold.

Dundee disintegrate as Motherwell fightback again - analysis

At 2-0, Dundee seemed pretty comfortable without ever really impressing all that much.

They'd been a little more clinical, even if the second goal was a complete fluke, and they'd stopped Motherwell creating too many clear cut opportunities.

Yet, only those with short memories would have sat comfortably at Dens. That's because Dundee have lost 22 points from winning positions in the league this season - more than any other team.

As soon as the first goal was eventually given, they folded in on themselves, and Motherwell could have found their winner long before the 93rd minute.

And perhaps their record of picking up points from losing positions - 18 this season - means it's no surprise that the comeback was completed.

They have a habit of scoring late on - 18 goals this season in the last 15 minutes - and their substitutes score more than any other team in the league bar Celtic.

What's next?

Dundee are due to host Rangers on Wednesday (20:00 BST), pitch conditions dependant. They then visit Aberdeen on Saturday, while Motherwell welcome Hibernian (15:00).

Line-ups

Dundee

Formation 3-5-2

  • 22McCracken
  • 29Portales
  • 5Shaughnessy
  • 25Donnelly
  • 6McGhee
  • 10CameronSubstituted forRobinsonat 90+5'minutes
  • 28Sylla
  • 17McCowan
  • 44Costelloe
  • 7TiffoneySubstituted forMellonat 68'minutesBooked at 82mins
  • 9BakayokoBooked at 74mins

Substitutes

  • 1Legzdins
  • 3Dodgson
  • 4Astley
  • 16Robinson
  • 19Robertson
  • 23Boateng
  • 26Mellon
  • 30Sharp
  • 49Mutale

Motherwell

Formation 3-4-1-2

  • 1Kelly
  • 15Casey
  • 16McGinn
  • 20Blaney
  • 21DevineSubstituted forO'Donnellat 45'minutes
  • 11HallidaySubstituted forMosesat 74'minutes
  • 17ZdravkovskiSubstituted forMillerat 74'minutes
  • 3Gent
  • 7Spittal
  • 28ValeSubstituted forButcherat 90+5'minutes
  • 14Bair

Substitutes

  • 2O'Donnell
  • 5Mugabi
  • 13Oxborough
  • 18Shaw
  • 19Nicholson
  • 24Moses
  • 38Miller
  • 39Ross
  • 66Butcher

Referee:David Dickinson

Attendance:5,924

Live Text

  1. Match ends, Dundee 2, Motherwell 3.

  2. Second Half ends, Dundee 2, Motherwell 3.

  3. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jordan McGhee.

  4. Substitution, Motherwell. Calum Butcher replaces Jack Vale.

  5. Substitution, Dundee. Zach Robinson replaces Lyall Cameron.

  6. Goal! Dundee 2, Motherwell 3. Ebiye Moses (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jack Vale with a cross.

  7. Attempt blocked. Paul McGinn (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Georgie Gent with a cross.

  8. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Aaron Donnelly.

  9. Attempt blocked. Lennon Miller (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  10. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jordan McGhee.

  11. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Aaron Donnelly.

  12. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jordan McGhee.

  13. Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  14. Delay in match because of an injury Blair Spittal (Motherwell).

  15. Attempt missed. Jack Vale (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.

  16. Attempt saved. Theo Bair (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

  17. Attempt missed. Theo Bair (Motherwell) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Shane Blaney.

  18. Michael Mellon (Dundee) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  19. Paul McGinn (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  20. Foul by Michael Mellon (Dundee).

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