Motherwell 0-2 Hearts: Player ratings, huge moments, 'down with the Hibees', key selections, Storm Boelo

A colossal Hearts win under the circumstances and a sixth straight defeat for Motherwell. There were contrasting emotions at Fir Park as Claudio Braga and Calvin Miller scored in a 2-0 win for the visitors. In the midst of an injury crisis, Hearts earned a massive three points in North Lanarkshire to remain third in the Scottish Premiership during a hectic run of games both domestically and in Europe.

They travelled back from the edge of the Black Sea on Friday after facing Trabzonspor in the UEFA Conference League the previous night. It was to the players’ credit that they produced the required energy to overcome Motherwell. The hosts’ manager Alfred Johansson has presided over a poor run and would have heard boos from some home fans at full-time. But Hearts deservedly hailed a vital result which was their first win outside Edinburgh since January.

Wind and rain engulfed Fir Park as the effects of Storm Boelo swept across Scotland. That didn’t stop 3,997 supporters travelling from the east to make up a crowd of 9,911. They finished the afternoon singing “you’re going down with the Hibees” towards the locals as Motherwell sit 10th in the Premiership. Despite enjoying 54 per cent possession and recording 17 shots at goal to Hearts’ 14, they looked rather toothless up front.

Hearts were missing more than half a team through injury, with eight regulars currently sidelined. Head coach Wouter Vrancken decided to use winger Rogers Mato at right-back having deployed him at left-back to counter Mo Salah’s threat at Trabzonspor on Thursday. There was a rare start for winger Sabah Kerjota. Motherwell welcomed the former Tynecastle defender Jordan McGhee into their starting line-up for the first time since he signed 15 months ago. Persistent injuries had hindered his career at Fir Park.

The visiting goalkeeper Beau Reus was startled only by midfielder Jordi Altena’s thigh-high backpass in the opening 10 minutes. Not a good idea in this wind. Emmanuel Longelo then strode forward with ease past Mato to lash the ball goalwards, but Hearts were grateful to see Reus behind the shot. Motherwell played against the stiff wind in the first half and were coping fine until Braga nodded the opening goal on 29 minutes.

The Portuguese showed exquisite close control to bring down Stephen Kingsley’s lofted forward ball into the penalty area and lay it out to Kerjota. Braga then darted towards the six-yard area while the Albanian was given time to shift it out of his feet and deliver a teasing left-footed cross. Braga rose to for a precise glancing header into the far corner of the net, leaving the Motherwell goalkeeper Alex Paulsen with no chance. It was an extremely well-worked goal from Hearts’ perspective.

Dylan Levitt was presented with an opportunity to equaliser five minutes later when Reus passed out of his penalty area straight to the Motherwell midfielder. His shot was parried behind for a corner by the Dutchman. At the opposite end, the home support grew increasingly irritated by their team’s hesitant distribution from defence. They wanted to play through Hearts’ lines but too often took the safe option and went back to Paulsen. Hearts mixed their play well, a combination of short passes, lay-offs and wone-twos, plus a few long and direct balls to push opponents back.

Emmanuel Longelo struck the outside of the post from a corner after the interval as Motherwell pushed to level the scoreline. Hearts broke forward when Braga teed up Kerjota, whose shot was blocked. Then Seb Palmer-Holden sprinted away from Malachi Fagan-Walcott to shoot from an acute angle. The diving Reus needed two attempts to hold the ball. Motherwell substitute Eythor Bjorgolfsson had two opportunities after the hour but scuffed both from good positions as first Tawanda Maswanhise and then Longelo supplied him with cutbacks.

Hearts were under pressure at that stage and looked a little fatigued, understandably so given they are playing every three or four days right now. Jamie McCart’s sliding challenge on Ibrahim Said earned him a booking despite the defender winning the ball cleanly. Referee Duncan Nicholson deemed it a reckless challenge. Either way, the sight of Said rolling around with flailing limbs was ridiculous. He was on his feet running freely again moments later.

Reus parried Bjorgolfsson’s header as Motherwell continued asserting themselves. Another of their replacements, Jardell Kanga, looked dangerous down the left side. However, Hearts rode the storm before scoring a second on 86 minutes. Braga lost the ball after taking too many touches but pressed Stephen O’Donnell into a hurried clearance which landed at Miller’s feet. He steadied himself for a brilliant 20-yard drive into the corner of the net to seal three enormous points for his team. Stephen Kingsley would have made it 3-0 but for Paulsen’s acrobatic late save.

Here are the Hearts player ratings from Fir Park: