Motherwell’s bounce back from two defeats failed to happen as they lost 2-1 to Dundee.
The visitors may have had the majority of possession but they never looked to be in control of the game. Dundee were content for the most part to allow Motherwell space to play from the back content in the knowledge that they faced little threat in the attacking third.
Lukas Fadinger had an early shot to test the home ‘keeper before the game settled into an even contest. The referee paused proceedings following a Dundee corner after a call from the VAR. A look at the monitor followed and a penalty was awarded. It seemed that Emmanuel Longelo had handled.
Alex Paulsen came close to saving Westley’s shot but the ball crossed the line. A further unexpected goal fell the hosts way when an apparently harmless Fink header fell close to Paulsen’s right hand post. The ‘keeper looked to escort it out for a goal kick but either a misjudgement or a weird bounce followed and the ball hit the base of the post and finished in the net.
Dundee had hardly earned their two goal lead but Motherwell faced an uphill struggle. Alex Lowry scored from close range immediately ahead of the break to offer hope.
Paulsen made a couple of decent saves as Dundee looked to kill the game but as the clock ticked on there were few of the 600 away fans who expected an equaliser.
The studied build up from the back continued but there were none of the defence splitting passes that were so common last season. Neither Tom Sparrow on the right nor Longelo on the left had the opportunity for a charge on the wing. Any crosses were hopeful rather than precise and many failed to pass the first defender. Tawanda Maswanhise tried a few solo runs but the ended with him on the ground.
Alfred Johansson turned to his bench (as is now the custom) as he tried to find a spark. Eventually the last throw of the dice came with Eythor Bjorgolfsson and Willy Vogt on for the last five minutes.
There was an attacking flourish in the added minutes but a trio of corners was easily rebuffed.
The three week break that follows will give Johansson time for reflection. Pretty passing from the back to the opponents’ last third is all very well but then his team runs out of ideas. Much work to be done.
Dundee 2 Motherwell 1
Attendance: 5,818 (576)
Team: Paulsen, Sparrow, Girdwood-Reich, Moorman, Hodge, Longelo(Williams 65), Fadinger, Lowry (Vogt 85), Said (Charles-Cook 75), Maswanhise (Bjorgolfsson 85), Palmer-Houlden (Kanga 75)
Saturday 19 September 2026
