Motherwell claim Aberdeen scalp

Feb 3 2010 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL made it three wins from four SPL games played under the guidance of new boss Craig Brown on Saturday with a superb victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

A double from John Sutton, sandwiched in between a brave Lucas Jutkiewicz header, secured all three points as the Steelmen jumped to fifth spot in the league.

The margin of victory was a fair reflection on proceedings as Motherwell showed their strengthening top-six credentials.

Brown and his assistant, Archie Knox, were brought to Fir Park to steady the ship and that is exactly what they have done.

It has only required mild tinkering of the starting XI to necessitate an upturn in fortunes.

However, just as vital has been the return of the feel-good factor in training and around the club that had gone missing during the shortlived Jim Gannon era.

Aberdeen target Jim O’Brien, a player frozen out the first-team picture by Gannon, was the star performer for the visitors at the weekend with a typically lively performance.

The winger forced Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield into an instinctive save with a shot from edge of the box early on before his blistering pace created the opening for the visitors to break the deadlock.

Just before the half-hour mark, the 22-year-old Irishman knocked the ball past Davide Grassi on the right and left the Italian for dead as he raced into the box. Space opened up for a shot but O’Brien’s effort was parried by Langfield, however, Sutton was the quickest to react and he rammed home the rebound.

Sutton could have doubled his side’s advantage soon afterwards but he miscued his effort in front of goal.

Not for the first time this season, John Ruddy, who has been signed up until the end of the season along with fellow Evertonian Jutkiewicz, kept the opposition at bay with a series of fine saves from Charlie Mulgrew, Gary McDonald and, best of all, Richard Foster’s deflected effort.

Aberdeen came close to an equaliser when McDonald latched on to Mulgrew’s free-kick but his shot cracked off the post and the home side were made to pay for their profligacy five minutes after the restart.

Tom Hateley delivered a deep cross to the far post which was headed across the six-yard box by Sutton.

Jutkiewicz bravely threw himself at the ball to connect with a low diving header which, despite Mulgrew’s clearance, the referee’s assistant deemed to have crossed the line, giving the Englishman his ninth goal of the season.

Sutton then bundled in the third to secure all three points three minutes later. Again right-back Hateley was the provider from a free-kick that found the head of skipper Stephen Craigan.

Langfield could only parry the header and Sutton had the simple task of passing the ball into the empty net for his second of the afternoon and seventh of the campaign.

A defence that had leaked goals for fun towards the end of Gannon’s reign comfortably saw out the remainder of the game.

Motherwell have not conceded a league goal in their past four outings and whilst it has been a dream start to Brown’s tenure, the modest 69-year-old is refusing to get carried away.

The former Scotland boss said: “What I would say is that things are going for us at the moment.

“There will come a time when things don't go as well.

“We have to remain calm, keep our feet on the ground and not get carried away.

“We have kept four clean sheets in a row and we have managed to win here, but we’ve had some luck at times.”

He added: “Aberdeen had to get the first goal after winning their game at Hearts in midweek and the crowd were on their side.

“When they didn’t get the goal, our objective was to get the crowd frustrated.

“The top six is our aim and that will be quite difficult as we have Aberdeen and Hearts pushing us hard.

“The top four are pulling away but anyone else can beat anyone else in this league.”

Once again, three players who seemed surplus to requirement under the old regime at Fir Park – Craigan, Keith Lasley and Steve Hammell – proved there is no substitute for experience and Brown praised their overall contribution on Saturday, saying: “They were the experienced guys that were marginalised before Archie and I came here.

“Mark (McGhee) had them all in a team that finished third in the league.

“The previous management team was determined to go with youth.

“They dipped and went eight games without a win, so we brought Stephen, Steve and Keith back in.”

“They are all great pro players. Craigan is an outstanding guy, who is an excellent leader on the pitch.

“I thought Jim O'Brien was outstanding against Aberdeen and he is the fan’' favourite. We want to make sure that we try to retain him. We want Jim to want stay here and not feel that a move would better him.”

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mulgrew, Foster, McDonald, Kerr, Miller, Mackie, Young, Grassi (Maguire 58), Ifil, Fyvie (Paton 68). Subs (not used): Nelson, Diamond, Duff, Marshall, Jack.

Booked: Mulgrew, Maguire.

Motherwell: Ruddy, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Jennings, Jutkiewicz (Murphy 83), Sutton, Lasley, Fitzpatrick (McHugh 89), O'Brien (Humphrey 78), Hateley. Subs (not used): Fraser, Forbes, Page, Saunders.

Booked: Lasley.

Goals: Sutton (29), (53), Jutkiewicz (50).

Referee: Steve Conroy.

Attendance: 9,555.