Poor Motherwell were lucky to lose by only one goal after a dreadful performance at Tynecastle.
There will need to be much soul searching in the team coach as it returns to Lanarkshire. The team delivered the worst show of the season as they failed to get any grip of a game bossed by Hearts.
With Lennon Miller crocked the captain’s armband passed to Stephen O’Donnell and he will blush at his contribution to the loss of the early goal.
Liam Boyce had already spurned a great chance in the first minute as the home side took early control. Motherwell could not get any meaningful possession as an attack failed with the ball rolling out for a goal kick. O’Donnell, under no pressure elected to control the ball on the bye line but contrived to concede a corner.
Aston Oxborough fisted the ball vertically and in the crowded six yard box he failed to catch the return. Musa Drammeh got a touch from close range. The referee was persuaded to look at the replay and overturned his initial award of a foul. It was just the start the home side deserved for their erly pressure.
The surprise was that they were unable to increase their lead. Motherwell were unable to pass to a team mate. They lost almost every contested ball and were second to any loose ball.
It was no surprise that the manager made three substitutions as the game resumed after the break. In truth he could have withdrawn any of the starting eleven but the axe fell on Harry Paton, Tom Sparrow and Shane Blaney.
Hearts missed a sitter early on when Boyce missed at the near post. The change of shape and personnel made some improvement but the balance remained unchanged.
There were cheers in the away section when, after an hour, Motherwell entered Craig Gordon’s area and there was some excitement when a corner was won just after the hour. Dan Casey got his head to the ball but his aim was high.
Andy Halliday had a pop from 25 yards before Stuart Kettlewell turned to the bech for the last two substitutes.
Hearts had another opportunity to kill the contest but Jorge Grant fluffed his chance to give Oxborough a simple save.
Gordon was forced into action in the four additional minutes and his two excellent touches foiled the chance of a undeserved equaliser.
It was by far the worst ‘Well performance of the season and a big improvement will be needed when Aberdeen come to Fir Park on Sunday.
Hearts 1 Motherwell 0
Attendance 18,750
Team: Oxborough, O’Donnell, Casey, Gordon, Blaney (Zdravkovski 45), Wilson, Halliday (Kaleta 74), Paton (Nicholson 45), Sparrow (Ebiye 45), Watt, Maswanhise (Vale 74)
Thursday 2 January 2025