Source: Team_Talk
Murphy header seals Well win
Jamie Murphy's early header gave Motherwell a deserved 1-0 Scottish Premier League win over Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday.[LNB] The victory moves Motherwell three points clear of Celtic in second place.[LNB]The winger headed in a Tom Hateley cross after eight minutes but the visitors should have had the victory wrapped up before enduring a nervy finish.[LNB]Well midfielder Keith Lasley headed off the post in the first half before Hibs goalkeeper Graham Stack made a brilliant double save to deny both Stephen Craigan and Michael Higdon after the break.[LNB]As promised, Well manager Stuart McCall gave a start to Steve Jennings despite the midfielder's recent arrest over alleged irregular betting patterns.[LNB]Hibs boss Colin Calderwood deployed the in-form Garry O'Connor up front after the striker successfully fought against a two-match ban over suggestions he dived to win a penalty in the recent win over St Johnstone.[LNB]The home side struggled to get out of their own half during the opening exchanges with Motherwell's slick passing a factor in the away side retaining possession for long spells.[LNB]It was no surprise when McCall's team went ahead after eight minutes when Murphy ghosted into the box to find the net. Murphy found a space between defenders Victor Palsson and Sean O'Hanlon to nod Hateley's deep cross past Stack from close range.[LNB]Hibs were struggling to get going and Stack did well to push a Steven Hammell shot wide for a corner before then saving Tim Clancy's near-post header from Hateley's corner.[LNB]The Leith side had a rare sight of goal when Junior Agogo's shot fell to O'Connor following Craigan's block but the marksman hit a wild effort wide.[LNB]Motherwell should have been two ahead after 23 minutes when Hammell produced a teasing cross that found the unmarked Lasley, but the midfielder's downward header came back off the post.[LNB]Clearly unhappy at his team's first-half display, Calderwood introduced Danny Galbraith and David Wotherspoon for Palsson and Martin Scott at the break.[LNB]Winger Galbraith's energy in midfield seemed to make a difference and he played his part in a half-chance for Agogo. The former Manchester United trainee passed to Ivan Sproule and the Northern Ireland cap sent a low drive into the box but his cross was just out of Agogo's reach.[LNB]Nicky Law then won the ball back off Galbraith in a move that ended with Stack saving with his feet to deny Higdon after the striker was set up in the box by Murphy.[LNB]Motherwell looked dangerous on the counter-attack as Hibs upped their bid for an equaliser. Higdon and Chris Humphrey exchanged passes before the towering striker just missed the target with a low drive from 18 yards.[LNB]Stack then kept his side in the game with an incredible double save. His one-handed block kept out Craigan's six-yard header from Hammell's free-kick before he then somehow managed to parry Higdon's point-blank shot.[LNB]From Hammell's corner, Higdon powered a header off the bar. For all their possession and chances, Motherwell knew their lead was still fragile.[LNB]Wotherspoon had a free-kick from 25 yards tipped over the bar by Darren Randolph. Galbraith then found himself in space in the box after being teed up by Agogo but he lashed a strike into the side-netting.[LNB]Motherwell were on the back foot as the minutes ticked by and were relieved to see Agogo drill a low drive past the far post.
