Motherwell staged an incredible fightback to seize victory in the relegation
clash after going two goals down within seven minutes.
Stevie Crawford hit the opener in three minutes when he steered a long
clearance from Sean Dennis around Brian Martin and into the net.
Barry Lavety added a second in seven minutes before Motherwell pulled one back
in nine minutes through Dougie Arnott.
Former Hibs winger Michael Weir hauled the sides level in 23 minutes before
Hibs were reduced to 10 men in the 42nd minute.
Brian Welsh was sent off after pulling down Arnott at the edge of the box,
nine minutes after receiving his first yellow card.
From the freekick Frenchman Eric Garcin curled the ball round the wall and
into the roof of the net to give Motherwell a 3-2 half-time lead.
The home side dominated the second half and Arnott, in his first start of the
season after injury, was denied a goal in 66 minutes when keeper Chris Reid
produced a superb one-handed save.
Arnott limped off after 78 minutes to be replaced by youngster Lee McCulloch,
who made an immediate impact by driving home Motherwell's fourth goal in 81
minutes after being on the field for only three minutes.
By this time Hibs were looking demoralised. And with barely two minutes to go
Tommy Coyne, who played a key role in setting up three of the earlier goals,
turned goalmaker in style to grab Motherwell's fifth as he first timed an Owen
Coyle cross into the net.
And with the referee about to blow for time McCulloch with a low diving header
guided a Kevin Christie cross into the net to make it six.
This overwhelming win boosts the confidence of relegation threatened
Motherwell and now provides them with a five-point cushion over bottom of the
League Hibs, who have yet to win on the road this season.
Teams:
Motherwell: Woods, Christie, Ross, Newman, Martin (Philliben 45),
Falconer, Weir, Garcin (McSkimming 72), Coyne,
Arnott (McCulloch 78), Coyle.
Booked: Falconer.
Goals: Arnott 10, Weir 23, Garcin 43, McCulloch 81, Coyne 88,
McCulloch 89.
Hibernian: Reid, Miller, Boco, Jackson (Dow 77), Dennis, Welsh,
Harper, Larusson (McCaffrey 87), Crawford, Lavety, McGinlay.
Subs Not Used: Walker.
Sent Off: Welsh (43).
Booked: Jackson, Dennis, Welsh.
Goals: Crawford 4, Lavety 8.
Att: 6,169
Ref: E Martindale (Glasgow).
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