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Motherwell 1-2 Dundee United: Visitors move off the bottom of the Premiership with comeback win

Match report as Dundee United beat Motherwell 2-1 at Fir Park; hosts ahead through Kevin van Veen but visitors earn the three points thanks to second-half goals from Ilmari Niskanen and Jamie McGrath; Dundee United up to 10th, while Motherwell are eighth

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Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Dundee United

Dundee United moved off the foot of the Scottish Premiership table after coming from behind to defeat Motherwell 2-1 at Fir Park.

Kevin van Veen's first-half goal had the Steelmen ahead at half-time, but Jim Goodwin's side struck twice in nine minutes through Ilmari Niskanen and Jamie McGrath's penalty to claim victory.

United moved above Ross County and Kilmarnock to sit 10th in the table on goal difference, while Motherwell remain eighth.

The visitors enjoyed much the better start and it took a goalline clearance from Max Johnston to prevent Steven Fletcher's header from finding the net.

Van Veen's fizzing effort was diverted away for a corner and from the resulting set-piece Dan Casey should have done better after rising unmarked to meet Sean Goss' delivery.

The opening goal arrived after 23 minutes, Motherwell's top scorer Van Veen bringing his tally for the season to 23 by tucking home the rebound after being denied by Mark Birighitti in the United goal.

It took a superb tackle from Calum Butcher to halt Ian Harkes' driving run just before the break as the visitors looked for a response.

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Blair Spittal had an effort that troubled Birighitti on the stroke of half-time before Van Veen failed to hit the target from close range.

MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND - APRIL 15: Dundee United Manager Jim Goodwin celebrates at full time during a cinch Premiership match between Motherwell and Dundee United at Fir Park, on April 15, 2023, in Motherwell, Scotland.  (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)
Image: Jim Goodwin celebrates at full-time

Just after the restart Spittal's shot was deflected over by Charlie Mulgrew and then Van Veen was denied by the offside flag after coolly bending the ball into the far corner.

Harkes almost levelled only to be denied by the legs of Liam Kelly and then Mulgrew nodded wide after finding himself in space inside the box.

It was Motherwell who continued to look the more likely, though, and Johnston blazed wide after a burst forward before Van Veen again tested the visiting goalkeeper after latching onto a ball over the top.

Van Veen was in full flow and he came close to doubling the hosts' advantage when he robbed Loick Ayina before rushing through on goal and unleashing an effort that was kept out by Birghitti.

A defensive lapse from Goss led to United's leveller in the 63rd minute, with the Well midfielder carelessly caught out as Harkes fed Niskanen, who dispatched the ball low beyond Kelly.

And with 19 minutes remaining United were awarded a penalty after Kelly was adjudged to have felled Fletcher, and McGrath sent the 'keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Harry Paton saw his strike deflected to safety as Motherwell chased a late leveller and there were further opportunities for Paul McGinn and Butcher as the game approached its conclusion.

Fletcher hit the turf again in added time as he attempted to round Kelly, but this time he was adjudged to have taken a dive and was shown a yellow card.

What the managers said

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I'm really pleased, I thought we played well and were better in possession of the ball than we have been in the five games since I came in.

"The reaction was really pleasing, the atmosphere in the dressing at half-time was positive and there was still a lot of belief in the group.

"The mindset after we got the equaliser wasn't to be content with taking a point. We really believed that Motherwell were there for the taking.

"I think physiologically the result will have a really big impact on the group, the big thing for me is that it's now in our own hands.

"Obviously, Kilmarnock are capable of causing an upset [on Sunday], especially at Rugby Park on that pitch, but if Celtic go there and win we end up in 10th which is a very positive step in the right direction in our own view.

"If we can finish this campaign on a positive note and continue on the good run of form we are on then we can take ourselves completely out of the drop zone - we don't want to be involved in the play-off in the summer.

"We aren't going to get carried away, we don't think for one minute that we are safe, we'll be back to work on Monday and work just as hard as we have in recent weeks."

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We had plenty of chances in the game, certainly had lots of opportunities, I just felt between the two penalty boxes we were a little bit lethargic, we certainly didn't have the same levels of energy that we have recently.

"I felt we were the architects of our downfall in stages, just by being loose in possession and making a couple of poor choices.

"I'm not having a knee-jerk reaction to losing a game at home or changing my message to anyone - we still need to win games of football."

What's next?

Motherwell's next Scottish Premiership match is away to Celtic on April 22, with Dundee United at home to Livingston on the same day.

Both games kick off at 3pm.

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