Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell
Last updated on .From the section Football
Substitute Henri Anier struck late on his league debut to give Motherwell a Premiership opening win against Hibs at Easter Road.
The hosts struggled in front of goal, although a Scott Robertson volley was well saved by keeper Lee Hollis.
Anier chased a long ball to net the 83rd minute with a composed strike past Ben Williams.
Moments before the goal, Williams had saved a John Sutton shot and a header from Stephen McManus.
The hot weather in Scotland's capital failed to produce any sizzling football as both sides set out to banish the shadows of disappointing results in the Europa League qualifiers.
Hibs, off the back of a 9-0 aggregate defeat against Malmo, handed debuts to striker James Collins and defender Michael Nelson and both men enjoyed promising debuts.
Nelson rarely put a foot wrong at the heart of defence, while Collins looked lively but was starved of good service
Motherwell, currently 2-0 down after the first leg against Kuban Krasnodar, started slowly, with playmakers Iain Vigurs and James McFadden strangely muted.
Williams caught a strike from Keith Lasley and Bob McHugh sent an awkward header wide after stealing in behind the home defence.
Hibs had a lot of the ball but were laboured in their build-up play and when a rare chance did materialise Alex Harris shot high over the bar from 18 yards.
Shortly after the restart, McFadden worked his way down the left flank and cut back for McHugh but the forward's low shot trickled towards Williams, with Sutton unable to get a touch from close range.
A brief flurry from Hibs started with Liam Craig's daisy-cutting free-kick being gathered by Hollis.
And the same player should have scored when he slid in to connect with a low Harris cross, only to poke the ball wide under pressure from Steven Hammell.
Collins headed wide from a great Fraser Mullen delivery and Kevin Thomson's shot from distance was comfortably saved.
Hibs thought they had found the opener when Robertson thumped a volley from the edge of the penalty area but Hollis made a good diving parry to deny the industrious midfielder.
With 12 minutes remaining, a long ball over the top sent Sutton free and Williams at full-stretch to touch the striker's angled shot wide. From the resulting corner, a powerful header from McManus was also well saved.
The Hibs defence was caught out again soon after when Shaun Hutchinson's clearing header allowed Anier to sprint clear and the Estonian summer signing confidently struck past Williams.
With the match drawing to a close home fans were on their feet when McManus appeared to get away with a push on Owain Tudur Jones when the pair challenged for a high ball in the penalty box, but referee Bobby Madden showed no interest in the appeals from the home players, who were soon trudging off to a chorus of jeers.
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Hopefully.
Good summation,
I think you can now reverse the order of your post name.lol
1. We are still 15 points clear of Hearts
2. It's another day closer to Fenlon going
Can see we have some decent players in there. Thomson, Robertson, Stevenson and Collins all looked ok. Bit of fight in the middle.Defence is far too slow. Being outpaced by John Sutton is scary
Low attendance because fans have lost faith with PF and the game was on TV.
Long season ahead.
Sadly though, Scottish football hasn't. Different season, same old story for Hibs I'm afraid. I somehow fear the headline 'Taxi for Fenlon' may be appearing in the Scottish newspapers very soon.
Looks like the ER faithful have lost interest already!
Just look at the number of Hibs players named in the under 21 squad....er that would be NONE!
Hearts have SIX in the squad.
In some matches I haven't minded losing, having seen the team play good quality attacking football and providing entertainment and a little excitement.
What we're getting now is boring and poor quality. Even bearing in mind team changes, no advances in tactics and strategy.
Hibs were in control for about 20 minutes early on. McCall changed formation twice which Hibs couldn't match. PF made NO tactical changes at all. Robertson looks competent and along with Thompson, Collins and Stevenson were easily our best players. Harris should have been off at h/t. Williams needs to be taught kicking.
this eason will be exciting to see if hearse can pick up 16 points and avoid relegation
Mind you Hibs had attempts on goal unlike HaHaHertz if the Sportscene highlights were accurate.
It will not be silky soccer at Tiny next week (if Hertz make it to Sunday).
It was a poor game. Both teams were poor. But it doesn't spell the end of our game. It was the first game of the season and both teams still to get going.
Good to sde Well's new signing get on the scoresheet.
And 7.Stuart, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard
As for the game, Motherwell looked like a side full of new players, and Hibs looked like a side that couldn't give a damn. Fenlon can't have long left.
As long as Hibs signing policy on loans and short term deals remains so will the slump.
"HaHaHertz"?
Not as HaHaHaHaHaHubz when we got news of the 7-0 humping.
Will FenLOAN make it to Sunday?