Motherwell travelled to the capital to take on a new-look Hearts side on Saturday afternoon, with the match ending 3-3 after a frantic 90 minutes.
Goals from Callum Slattery, Tawanda Maswanhise and Emmanuel Longelo had Motherwell three goals to the good just beyond the hour mark. But Hearts fought back for a point, through strikes from Harry Milne and Cláudio Braga.
Jens Berthel Askou made two changes from last week’s win over St Johnstone. Tom Sparrow dropped out through injury and was replaced by Kofi Balmer, the Northern Irishman’s first start of the league season. Callum Slattery returned from suspension, with Ibrahim Said dropping to the bench.
Liam Gordon and Jordan McGhee returned from injury and were both fit enough to make the bench, with the latter making his first appearance in a competitive squad this season. New signing Callum Hendry also was named amongst the subs after signing earlier this week.
It took ten minutes for the first effort of the afternoon to arrive, and it was for the hosts. Motherwell were knocking the ball around in the defensive third before a long ball got intercepted by Pierre Landry Kaboré, who cut inside into the area from the right-wing but dragged his shot well wide of the mark.
The first Motherwell chance came after 14 minutes from a Callum Slattery free kick. The number 8’s dinked ball into the area found Balmer, but his header didn’t trouble Zander Clark.
On 17 minutes, Elliot Watt eventually got a shot away from just inside the penalty box that had Clark worried; however, the linesman raised his flag for an offside in the build-up. But that chance got the away fans excited in the away end.
Not long after, Watt went down, requiring treatment. During this break, the Motherwell fans raised a banner to mark the passing of Dougie Imrie’s daughter, Remi.
On 21 minutes, we had the breakthrough. A corner routine made its way to Slattery on the edge of the box; the midfielder fired goalwards, and his strike found the back of the net via a deflection. 0-1.
Motherwell were on the ascendancy at this point. Passing the ball around well and creating openings, with the home crowd ever frustrated. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos almost found himself through on goal on a number of occasions, with Elijah Just pulling all the strings.
On 33 minutes, Tawanda Maswanhise shook off his marker and curled a cross towards Stamatelopoulos, but the effort was tipped wide by Clark.
The next chance arrived in 40 minutes for the Steelmen. A quick throw-in on the left-hand side found Just in space in the penalty box, the New Zealand international passed through to Longelo, who fired across the face of goal, but nobody in a blue jersey was there to convert.
Calum Ward was called into action for the first time on 43 minutes. The Motherwell shot-stopper palmed away an effort from Kabore inside the box. This was the last chance of the half, as referee John Beaton signalled for half-time, with Jens Berthel Askou certain to be the happier of the two managers at the break.
During the interval, Hearts made two changes, looking to get themselves back in the match. Beni Baningime and Cláudio Braga replaced Kaboré and James Wilson.
Motherwell continued where they’d left off from in the first-half, and just three minutes into the second period, it was 2-0.
Tawanda Maswanhise converted past Clark following excellent interplay with Just. 2-0, 48 minutes played.
Hearts looked to fight back straight away. Substitute Braga took on Stamatelopoulos, got to the byline and fired across goal, but it was cleared away for a corner by Balmer. This started a period of pressure from the hosts. A succession of corners created openings, with Motherwell just about clearing the danger each time.
Managing to keep Hearts at bay, Motherwell managed an attack just before the hour mark. A free kick was awarded on the right edge of the box. Just stepped up trying to catch the keeper out at the near post, but his effort found the side netting only.
However, Just made up for that on 61 minutes. O’Donnell stepped into the space and played Just through on goal. Just squared it to Longelo for a tap-in. 3-0.
But the hosts weren’t done yet. Harry Milne pulled one back four minutes later, driving a volley with his left foot into the bottom corner, with keeper Ward having no chance.
The goal sparked changes in the Motherwell dugout. Callum Hendry was introduced for his debut on 67 minutes, with Ibrahim Said also coming on. Stamatelopoulos and Slattery were withdrawn following their excellent displays.
On 72 minutes, Braga fired past Ward to reduce the deficit to just one. The linesman put his flag up initially, but VAR stepped in to award the goal. 3-2 Motherwell with just under 20 minutes to play.
The home crowd was fired up at this point, and that was reflected on the pitch with Hearts pushing for the equaliser.
On 78 minutes, Maswanhise tried to play a cross into the box but stayed down following the play. The winger was replaced by Esapa Osong for his second appearance in a Well shirt.
With ten minutes to go, the game was stretched, and space was appearing all over the pitch. The Steelmen continued to play the ball on the deck, looking to get the game as far away from their goal as possible.
Hearts found the equaliser, however. Braga converted from close range following Milne’s driven effort on 83 minutes. 3-3.
Lukas Fadinger went close on 85 minutes, with a long-range strike that zipped just past the post.
Braga was denied his third on 88 minutes as both teams smelt a winner. Ward came rushing out to deny the forward his hat-trick.
As the board went up to signal five minutes additional time, the Steelmen came so close to winning it. Just wiggled his way into the area before Hendry sent a strike over the bar from close range.
Hearts then thought they’d won the game. Braga smashed one from inside the area, which Ward tipped onto the post in a frantic end to the game.
Motherwell Team: Ward, O’Donnell, McGinn, Balmer, Longelo, Just (90′), Slattery (70′), Watt, Fadinger, Maswanhise (80′), Stamatelopoulos (70′).
Motherwell Bench: Oxborough, Gordon, McGhee, Wilson, Halliday (90′), Ross, Hendry (70′), Said (70′), Osong (80′).
