By grabar
January 18 2009

Motherwell jumped back into the race for a European place with a convincing win with over Dundee Utd at Tannadice. Three goals in eleven first half minutes from; Fitzpatrick, Klimpl and Clarkson set up the win before Porter sealed the win in the second half with a fourth. During the opening twenty minutes you would never have predicted a Motherwell victory as United started the better side. Warren Feeney could've scored on a couple of occasions, firstly he volleyed tamely at Graeme Smith and then he headed wide when should've hit the target.

Motherwell then took the lead in the 22^nd minute, Paul Quinn took a throw in to Jim O'Brien whose return ball created space for the full back to cross. His cross was sent deep high to the back post, taking out the height in the United defence, and Marc Fitzpatrick had timed his run to perfection to head in from close range.

The second came five minutes later, but only after Scott Robertson had managed to clear a David Clarkson volley off the line. Maros Klimpl was unlucky to see his first effort from 20 yards saved by Zaluska, but when the ball fell to him after the ball had been half cleared the keeper had no chance with his deflected effort.

Well fans were pinching themselves on 33 minutes when the saw their team take a three goal lead. Chris Porter robbed a hesitant Garry Kenneth to give the ball to Jim O'Brien whose through ball set up David Clarkson whose cool finish left Zaluska helpless.

Being the pessimists they are Well fans still felt they needed another goal in the second half to secure the win! Thankfully that came on 63 minutes, and once again it started with poor United defending. Sub Swanson passed the ball straight to Fitzpatrick before he immediately sent Porter through on goal. The much sought after striker coolly drew Zaluska before drilling low past the Pole.

Well held out comfortably after that despite one missed opportunity for Feeney who headed wide again in the closing 20 minutes.

 

The win keeps Well on the coat tails of the teams battling for the European slots in third and fourth. It almost puts an end to all the talk of relegation as they moved 10 points clear of Inverness in the process.