Match ends, Motherwell 3, Partick Thistle 1.
MotherwellMotherwell3Partick ThistlePartick Thistle1
Motherwell moved above Partick Thistle with a comprehensive victory to ease concerns of a relegation play-off.
In a dour first half, Louis Moult gave the home side the advantage from the penalty spot.
If the visiting fans expected a second-half response they were to be disappointed, with Moult doubling Motherwell's lead.
Marvin Johnson made sure of the points, with Callum Booth's late strike Thistle's only consolation.
It might have been a different story had either David Amoo or Mathias Pogba scored in the immediate aftermath of Booth's goal, but neither was able to finish and Motherwell were able to see out their second win in three matches.
The result, their first win at home in 2016, lifts them four points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
They looked the hungrier side throughout and even in a first period that lacked many goalscoring opportunities, they possessed greater attacking threat.
Moult had the ball in the net after Scott McDonald had set him up on the rebound from Johnson's shot, only for the assistant's flag to frustrate the home fans.
But the striker did break the deadlock, sending Tomas Cerny the wrong way after Keith Lasley was fouled in the penalty area by Aidan Nesbitt.
As important as that goal was, Moult's second represented the first moment of real class in the match.
McDonald played a superb reverse pass into his path and he shot powerfully on the turn past Cerny.
Johnson's third was another impressive effort, as he cut in from the right to flash a ferocious drive into the back of the net.
Motherwell were untroubled until Booth seemed to catch Connor Ripley by surprise with a long-range effort.
The keeper was only able to push the ball into his own goal, perhaps taken aback at finally having some involvement in the match.
He was not punished further, though, as Motherwell comfortably saw out the closing stages to send their supporters home happy.
Line-ups
Motherwell
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Ripley
- 5Laing
- 32Hall
- 6McManus
- 3Hammell
- 26Cadden
- 14Lasley
- 8Pearson
- 11Johnson
- 77McDonald
- 20Moult
Substitutes
- 7Ainsworth
- 9Fletcher
- 13Samson
- 18Law
- 21Leitch
- 23Thomas
- 24McFadden
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Cerny
- 2MillerSubstituted forAmooat 66'minutes
- 13Frans
- 3Seaborne
- 5Booth
- 6Osman
- 8Bannigan
- 14Elliott
- 11Lawless
- 16NesbittBooked at 36minsSubstituted forPogbaat 45'minutes
- 9DoolanSubstituted forGermanat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Welsh
- 7Amoo
- 10German
- 12Scully
- 17Lindsay
- 19Edwards
- 99Pogba
- Referee:
- Stephen Finnie
- Attendance:
- 4,302
Match Stats
Home TeamMotherwellAway TeamPartick Thistle
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away2
- Corners
- Home4
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Motherwell 3, Partick Thistle 1.
Post update
Steven Lawless (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Scott McDonald (Motherwell).
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Foul by Antonio German (Partick Thistle).
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Louis Laing (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Antonio German (Partick Thistle).
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Louis Laing (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Foul by Antonio German (Partick Thistle).
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Keith Lasley (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Hand ball by Louis Moult (Motherwell).
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Steven Lawless (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Keith Lasley (Motherwell).
Substitution
Substitution, Partick Thistle. Antonio German replaces Kris Doolan.
Post update
Attempt missed. Mathias Pogba (Partick Thistle) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
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Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Steven Hammell.
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Attempt blocked. David Amoo (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle).
Post update
Chris Cadden (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
