Motherwell 1-1 Hearts: Report and player ratings, two new injuries, penalty controversy, title twist

In the lastest twist of the Scottish Premiership title race, Hearts moved four points clear of Celtic following a 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park. The Glasgow side have a game in hand, which comes on Sunday against Rangers. The Edinburgh club will now await the outcome of that match with a keen interest after taking a point in North Lanarkshire. They will feel it could have been three points after being denied a second-half penalty with the scoreline at 1-1.

Stephen Kingsley’s own goal gave Motherwell the lead, but Lawrence Shankland scored his sixth goal in eight games to restore parity before half-time. Hearts suffered another two injuries to key players as Marc Leonard and Craig Halkett were forced off. Both looked in some dismay as they left the field, Halkett doing so on a stretcher to further compound the injury issues for the Tynecastle head coach Derek McInnes.

Celtic can close to within a point of the league leaders if they beat Rangers, and for that reason Hearts will be disappointed not to earn the victory they wanted in this game. They forced the hosts back for long spells in the second half trying to create a winning goal. However, Motherwell held on for a useful point in their quest to secure fourth place in the league and a guaranteed European spot. Whether this point is useful for Hearts or not remains to be seen. They have two league games left - Falkirk at home on Wednesday and Celtic away next Saturday.

Jordi Altena was selected as Hearts’ right wing-back ahead of Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis for this encounter. Blair Spittal was back in midfield after two inspired substitute outings against Hibs and Rangers. Beating the Ibrox club on Monday night left Hearts potentially two games from the title, but there was a determination simply to focus on taking care of business at Fir Park.

Midfielder Cammy Devlin returned to the substitutes’ bench after injury and would play the final moments in a welcome sight for Hearts fans. Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon was also on the field pre-match. He travelled as the third keeper after recovering from a shoulder complaint. Motherwell made three changes as Liam Gordon, Oscar Priestman and Ibrahim Said were named in their starting line-up. With around 4,500 travelling fans feeling the nervous tension of this title race, Hearts knew all eyes were on them.

A pre-match guard of honour for the retiring former Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday, now at Motherwell, brought rapturous applause from both sets of fans. Motherwell fashioned the first scoring chance inside the opening minute, Callum Slattery’s header from Elijah Just’s cross forcing a good save from the visiting goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. Moments later came another big opportunity at the opposite end. Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward parried Altena’s powerful 20-yard drive and the rebound fell kindly for a Shankland tap-in just yards from goal. However, Stephen O’Donnell’s sliding block saved the hosts.

After an open 25 minutes, Motherwell struck the evening’s first proper blow. Tawanda Maswanhise’s backheel to Emmanuel Longelo preceded a low cross which evaded Schwolow’s grasp and ricocheted in off Kingsley at the near post. The defender was understandably dejected. For the fifth game in succession, Hearts found themselves trailing 1-0 and needing a reaction. They produced it 17 minutes later.

Kingsley’s cross from the right found Michael Steinwender on the far side of the penalty area. The Austrian volleyed it first-time at goal, Ward parried straight to Shankland again, and this time the captain tucked a cushioned finish into the open net for a 1-1 interval scoreline. An injury to midfielder Marc Leonard forced Hearts into a half-time change. Kyziridis was the replacement, with Altena moving inside to a more central midfield role.

Stephen O’Donnell’s 53rd-minute effort hit the net for Motherwell but was disallowed for offside. Play continued at a relentless pace as both teams pressed each other in possession. That led to countless fouls for late challenges. Just before the hour mark, Halkett fell awkwardly sliding for the ball after taking his first touch. He was being closed down by Just and appeared to hurt his calf. He was stretchered from the field moments later and replaced by Frankie Kent.

Hearts were then denied a penalty when Maswanhise clipped Kyziridis’ foot inside the area as a corner-kick was delivered. Referee Steven McLean visited a touchline monitor on VAR’s advice before deciding there was no infringement. The Tynecastle players were understandably angry. Kyziridis headed a cross wide as they pushed for a winning goal entering the final 15 minutes. They also survived a Motherwell penalty claim after Maswanhise fell going past Beni Baningime inside the box.

There was more controversy when the home captain Stephen O’Donnell attempted a blatant kick trying to stop Kyziridis going past him out wide in stoppage-time. Referee McLean allowed play to continue and chose not to punish the defender retrospectively. That all heightened the tension inside the ground as Hearts continued pushing forward. They looked susceptible to a counter-attack on a few occasions, but the game ended all square after eight minutes of stoppage-time.

Here are the Hearts player ratings from Fir Park: