Rangers vs Motherwell. Scottish Premiership.
Ibrox StadiumAttendance49,802.
Sunday 11 November 2018 20:53, UK
Rangers put on a masterclass of finishing as they beat 10-man Motherwell 7-1 to move within two points of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Scott Arfield got the first of his goals early on (8) but Curtis Main levelled (25). It was hard to call a winner at that point but Carl McHugh was dismissed (34) before the break for a second yellow after handling in the area - manager Stephen Robinson was also dismissed for his protests.
James Tavernier netted from the spot (35) which triggered Rangers to run riot.
Alfredo Morelos (38), Glenn Middleton (59), Arfield (61) and a double from Eros Grezda (68, 75) - his first goals for the club - sent Motherwell packing and registered Rangers' eighth home win from their last nine.
After Celtic's draw earlier on Sunday, the win moves Rangers back to within two points of the league leaders - they currently sit in third but have a game in hand on second-placed Hearts.
Arfield opened the scoring when latching onto Tavernier's lofted ball but Motherwell responded with some positive attacking play. Ryan Bowman turned Nikola Katic and squared for Main to bundle the equaliser home.
McHugh picked up his first booking on the half hour when challenging Morelos and was sent off three minutes later when blocking a goal-bound effort with his arm. Shortly after, his manager Robinson followed him down the tunnel after reacting angrily towards Rangers technical coach Tom Culshaw during a disagreement between both benches.
Tavernier converted the penalty and Morelos headed home Middleton's corner three minutes later to make the three points all-but secure.
It was all Rangers after the break and Grezda set up two goals in two minutes for Middleton and Arfield either side of the hour mark as both midfielders swept home square balls.
The winger then turned goalscorer himself, side-stepping two Motherwell players before drilling underneath Carson in the 68th minute and then heading home Tavernier's cross seven minutes later.
Rarely do you see a right-back have such an effect on the way their teams score goals. The talented skipper got the ball rolling by pinging an amazing 60-yard ball into Arfield for the opening goal and then stayed cool from the spot to restore their advantage. Most of Rangers' piercing play came down his side in the second half as he instigated many attacks with his clever passing and movement.
Rangers are back at Ibrox after the international break when hosting Livingston and Motherwell play Aberdeen.
