Motherwell 1 Hibernian 4: Classy Hibs put goals to the fore

Published on Saturday 22 November 2008 18:38

BOTH bosses badly needed a victory but perhaps Mixu Paatelainen's need was greater. Certainly, his players displayed more hunger for success at Fir Park yesterday. Hibs had taken only three points from the previous 18 available to them so this win was more than welcome: it was essential.

More important than the result, though, was the performance. This was an impressive display in which composure and commitment were both present and correct. They outplayed their hosts from start to finish and the scoreline does not accurately reflect the gulf between the sides which was all too apparent yesterday.

Now up to fifth place (or third, in the league-within-a-league where the champions gain a UEFA Cup slot), Hibs now look to be in a position to push on.

Motherwell, by contrast, are on the crest of a slump, with only one point gleaned from their last four outings.

Manager Mark McGhee made no attempt to hide his disgust with what he described as the worst performance since he replaced Maurice Malpas in 2007.

"Is this as bad as it gets?" he asked. "It's certainly as bad as it's been and I hope it's as bad as it gets.

"That was the most disconnected display we've ever given. We looked like 11 individuals out there.

"The back four weren't communicating with each other and everyone seemed to be in their own little world. Up front the strikers never kept the ball or won a header and that gave the rest of the team no chance whatsoever. It was only a week ago, against Rangers, that we played as well as we have since I came here so we know that's there.

"I'll now spend a week working out why it was like that. Going in 1-1 at half-time disguised the fact we were being well beaten but it didn't kid me or the players.

"What can I do? Regardless of how poorly they played, it doesn't make them bad people. I've got to question their mentality and their approach to this game, though.

"I've got to question myself as well. I'll examine what I could have done better."

McGhee is not the happy camper he was last season, when he took the Lanarkshire club to a third-place finish, their best for 13 years.

It may well be that certain promises made during the summer (when he decided to spurn the advances of Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov) have not been kept. Clearly, though, something is gnawing away at him and his team's inconsistency would not appear to be the sole reason for that.

They started poorly here and could have been four down after only seven minutes: instead, Hibernian had to settle for just the one.

Bob Malcolm's poor clearance was intercepted by Murray, who supplied John Rankin. He skipped past Malcolm's lunge and drilled a left-foot shot behind Graeme Smith from 18 yards.

Motherwell simply weren't at the races and

Derek Riordan passed up a second one-on-one opportunity with Smith, with the goalkeeper's outstretched foot deflecting his shot to safety after he had been picked out by Dean Shiels' pass.

Such profligacy tends to be punished, however, and so it proved here. Motherwell had offered little from open play and their only efforts on target had been from two Malcolm free-kicks, which Yves Ma-Kalambay saved comfortably.

It was third time lucky for the former Rangers man four minutes from the interval. Rob Jones was penalised for climbing on Chris Porter and Malcolm, booked earlier for a crunching foul on Ross Chisholm, sent an Exocet of a shot into the top corner.

If the visitors felt aggrieved about going in level at half-time they certainly channelled their frustration in the proper manner. Four minutes after the restart they were back in front. Fletcher played a pivotal role, holding the ball up and then laying it off for Shiels, who had time to take a touch before driving right-footed behind Smith from 20 yards.

That was nothing, though, compared with his part in the clincher just after the hour. There seemed little danger when Murray's surge forward was halted by a challenge and the ball broke to the Scotland striker 35 yards out.

He had other ideas, though. A quick glance to check on Smith's positioning, a swing of his left boot and the net was bulging. Game over.

It could have been worse for 'Well. Shiels beat Smith with a lob which came back off the crossbar while an angled volley from Riordan missed the target by inches.

Smith also made an acrobatic double save to deny Colin Nish and Rankin as Hibs threatened on the counter.

Motherwell shelled a lot of high balls into the penalty area but it was hit-and-hope stuff, with little nous evident in their play, and Riordan emphasised Hibs' superiority with a nonchalant right-foot finish from Nish's pass.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Steven Fletcher gave a textbook example of how to lead the line, playing a pivotal role and providing the service which led to two of Hibs' goals before improving matters further by scoring himself.

QUICK FACT

Motherwell have taken 17 points from their opening 15 fixtures, nine points fewer than they had amassed at the same stage last season.

TALKING POINT

Is Bob Malcolm the new Beckham? His free-kicks suggest the LA Galaxy man may have a new rival. This wasn't the first time this season that he has scored directly from a free-kick and it doesn't look like it will be his last.

McCann's season is over after another injury setback

INJURY-HIT Hibs defender Kevin McCann was last night facing the prospect of more than a year out of football after learning the news he faces knee surgery next month.

The 21-year-old former Scotland youth international will undergo a tendon operation and is preparing for another six to nine months on the sidelines.

McCann has been plagued by chronic patella tendonitis in his right knee all year, restricting him to five appearances under Mixu Paatelainen, the last against Rangers on May 4.

The right-sided player appeared to be over his troubles in pre-season but he began experiencing pain again and underwent an injection procedure in London in August. He then suffered further discomfort and another specialist appointment for the same treatment was booked.

Yet after returning to light training last month, McCann soon began getting sharp pains again and his worst fears were realised after another trip south last week.

The youngster now hopes to return in pre-season training next summer.

McCann said: "It's an operation on the tendon and I'm now looking at six to nine months out, which is obviously a total nightmare. My season is over.

"I was stunned at first when told of the timescale, but the surgeon has basically just got to open it up and sort out what is not right.

"We've tried every other option and it's just not worked. This has been recommended now rather than later.

"I was still feeling pain, it just wasn't going away. So I went to see a surgeon on Monday with the club doctor for what steps are needed.

"The operation was then only finalised on Thursday and I'm back down to London on December 8.

"If it gets me fit then all the better as it's been a nightmare. I was previously hoping to avoid the op but now I can basically aim for pre-season to be back training with the lads.

"I've been told you can return in six months if you're a quick healer and then it's a case of building the knee up, so we'll just see how it goes."