Motherwell vs Hearts. Scottish Premiership.
Fir ParkAttendance4,666.
Friday 30 September 2016 22:36, UK
Hearts have moved up to second in the Scottish Premiership after a 3-1 victory over Motherwell on Friday, their first win at Fir Park for six years.
Sam Nicholson put the visitors in front with a deflected shot towards the end of the first half, before Callum Paterson and Arnaud Djoum produced smart finishes after the break.
James McFadden pulled one back for the hosts but it was just a consolation, arriving two minutes into stoppage time.
Motherwell had the best chance of the first half-hour but Jack Hamilton pulled off a superb one-handed save to keep out a deflected shot from Craig Clay.
Hamilton then produced another decent stop to deny Scott McDonald, before Hearts took the lead in somewhat fortuitous fashion.
Keith Lasley's pass was intercepted by Nicholson (45), who chanced his arm with a shot from long range which hit defender Stephen McManus and bounced into the corner of the net.
The second half was action-packed and Motherwell were denied a leveller when Louis Moult was flagged offside, having headed home after McDonald had hit the bar.
At the other end, Jamie Walker had an effort well saved by Craig Samson and Paterson shot over the top.
The visitors were enjoying a good spell and Walker squandered a fantastic chance when he mis-hit his shot, but Paterson (67) then made no mistake as he found the top corner of the net from the edge of the area.
McDonald put a curling effort inches wide for Motherwell but Hearts continued to threaten and Watt was unfortunate to hit the post.
And it was 3-0 with six minutes left when Djoum produced a fine first-time finish, curling a shot into the net from 20 yards out.
McFadden had the final say however, finding the top corner with a free-kick from 25 yards out.
The win takes Hearts to within two points of Celtic but the leaders have a pair of games in hand and Aberdeen will reclaim second place if they win at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
