Aberdeen 2-3 Motherwell: Steven Hammell’s side earn enthralling victory

Motherwell are “not getting carried away” insists manager Steven Hammell after they won a five-goal Scottish Premiership thriller with Aberdeen in his first game as permanent manager.

But Callum Slattery and Kevin van Veen scored twice in quick succession to restore Motherwell’s advantage.

“It’s one win,” said Hammell.

“Just to see them working for each other, and the togetherness in the dressing room afterwards, it’s what they’re all about.”

The win means Motherwell have won six of their last nine games against the Dons, and four of the last five.

Of those, they have lost just once and they continued their fine record against the Pittodrie side on Saturday with their second win of the season.

But Aberdeen, despite a summer overhaul with 11 new signings arriving, have now conceded six goals in three games, with just one win.

And their injury problems continue to mount with Matthew Kennedy and Leighton Clarkson both limping off injured.

Jim Goodwin’s Aberdeen reign began with a 1-1 draw against Motherwell at Fir Park in February. Hammell was not quite as new to his new club after his appointment as manager earlier in the week, having been in with the bricks at Fir Park for over 20 years.

He could not have asked for a better start. His team deservedly took the lead when Connor Shields picked out Spittal, who had an easy finish at the near post, with Dons defender Jayden Richardson losing his footing.

Aberdeen were struggling to find their rhythm, but a glorious chance opened up when Sondre Solholm Johansen also slipped on the surface and Miovski raced through unopposed, but he lobbed his effort over the bar.

The North Macedonian did make it three goals in two games before the break, though, when he headed in Liam Scales’ cross.

After a nervy and error-strewn first 45 minutes, Goodwin’s side were fortunate to be level at the break. But within seconds of the restart, they had the lead when Hayes hammered in from close range.

However, it was a false dawn as Motherwell regained control with two quick goals.

Slattery knocked a corner in at the back post, then Van Veen – who netted four times against Aberdeen last season – headed in on the rebound after Spittal’s shot hit the bar.

Really, Motherwell should have won by more. Van Veen shot straight at the goalkeeper when clean through, Joe Efford hit the side netting then blocked his own team-mate Josh Morris’ goal-bound header, and Ross Tierney’s shot was saved.

Man of the match – Sean Goss

What did we learn?

Aberdeen had received plaudits for their performances this season; cruising through their League Cup group, and responding to an opening-day defeat by hammering St Mirren.

However, perhaps the real test of their mettle would be provided by Motherwell, a side the Dons had failed to beat in four meetings last season, losing three of them.

They look to have more firepower than last term, and they scored twice from just three shots on target. But defensively they were pulled apart time and again and manager Goodwin still has plenty of work to do.

Motherwell’s start to the season was as bad as it gets; losing their Europa Conference League clash to Sligo Rovers which led to the dismissal of manager Graham Alexander before a Premiership ball had been kicked.

Two wins from three gives Hammell a solid base to start from though, and they looked like they could score at will at Pittodrie as the newly-found confidence flowed through the side.

What did they say?

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin: “I don’t think we did enough to warrant taking anything from the game. I thought from the opening minute we were very sloppy, we gave Motherwell a lift psychologically with how slow we were in possession.

“It was quite simply not good enough. Too many were not at the levels they’ve been at recently, and that’s why we lost the game.

“Everyone was raving about the performance last week and today it’s very much back down to earth with a bang.”

Motherwell manager Steven Hammell: “I’m delighted, more so the performance if I’m honest than the result. We were excellent. We played with a real intensity and a real purpose. It was pleasing to see.

“We knew we had the better of the first half and we knew there would be a reaction. But we stuck to what we were doing and we believed in what we were doing, we scored a couple of nice goals and we could have scored more.”

What’s next?

Both teams are back in action on Saturday 20 August. Aberdeen face a trip to St Johnstone (15:00 BST), while Motherwell are at home to Livingston at the same time.