A stunning second half performance from Hibernian saw the side leave Fir Park with a well earned three points this afternoon.  Colin Nish had given Hibernian an early lead but they were pegged back before half time by Mark Reynolds - however in the second period Hibernian completely dominated the home side, goals from Derek Riordan and Merouane Zemmama ensured a comfortable win and a share of second place in the SPL.

John Hughes unsurprisingly made three changes to his side following Hibernian's midweek cup exit at the hands of St Johnstone, dropping out were McCormack, Hanlon and Rankin to be replaced by Nish, Zemmama and a return for skipper Chris Hogg - and all three changes would have a positive impact on the game.  Before the action got underway there was a minute's applause for former Scottish FA President David Will, who passed away last week. 

Hibernian, kitted out in their new all-white-away kit, kicked off and the Edinburgh side had an early chance to put Motherwell under pressure when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Riordan sending the ball into the area but Colin Nish was a little too eager to get to the ball and was adjudged to have fouled.  The visitors however had started by far the better - and opened the scoring on 10 minutes.  Zemmama's deep cross picked out Riordan advancing into the Motherwell penalty area, a run that had started deep in his own half.  The striker shaped to shot but instead cut a superb ball along the six-yard line to Colin Nish who slotted the ball into the Motherwell net for his first goal of the season. 

The opening goal was just reward for Hibernian's positive start to the match - but seconds after the restart the home side had a chance to level when a free kick form the right by Hateley picked out Saunders on the edge of the box.  The towering defender had perhaps more time than he realised and he snatched at the ball sending a weak right foot effort towards goal that was comfortably dealt with by Stack.

Hibernian had an appeal for a penalty kick waved aside not long after when Nish went down under the challenge of Saunders inside the area after sneaking goal side of the Motherwell man, but referee Conroy waved play on after seeing nothing wrong in the defender's tackle.  Zemmama pounced on a poor kick out by Ruddy but he sent his shot at goal wide under pressure from Hammell.  The chances kept on coming for Hibernian, Nish knocked Stokes' cross down into the path of Zemmama and his right foot shot was just off target with Motherwell stretched. 

Against the run of play Motherwell almost equalised when the in-form Forbes gathered the ball 25 yards from goal and struck a shot a powerful effort that fizzed wide at the back post with Stack looking on helplessly.   On 29 minutes Hibernian had another appeal for a penalty kick waved away by referee Conroy.  This time Zemmama and Nish linked superbly before the former appeared to be pulled back by Reynolds as he was poised to shot.  The little Moroccan threw his hands up in despair at what seemed like a valid claim.

In an opening and entertaining match Motherwell were far from out of the game and they caused a moment of panic in the heart of the visiting defence.  A cross from Forbes on the right picked out Sutton, who managed to out-jump Stack - and his header went straight up into the air.  Neither the striker nor the goalkeeper knew where the ball had gone, fortunately Bamba did and cleared the danger.

Motherwell had another chance when Moutaouakil took the ball beyond Riordan but his neat cross was headed straight into the arms of a Stack.  Jim Gannon's side however were not to be denied for much longer and they were back on level terms on 37 minutes.  A corner kick from O'Brien saw Stack once more beaten in the air and Reynolds powerfully headed into the back of the Hibernian net.

The set pieces from Motherwell were causing Hibernian a number of problems and not long after the restart a corner kick from Forbes was knocked just wide by Sutton at the back post.  That was the last action of note in an entertaining first half where both teams enjoyed periods on top but having had the lead John Hughes will have been disappointed to see his side give it away so cheaply.

Half Time: Motherwell 1 Hibernian 1

Neither side made any changes at the interval and Motherwell pushed forward towards the Hibernian goal from kick off - it was however a false dawn for the home side who were very soon under the cosh.  The home side created the first chance of the second half when a free kick from Forbes picked out Sutton who disappointingly headed wide from a fine position.

Motherwell had started the second half just as they had finished the first by pouring pressure on top of the visitors goal - however the game was about to take another twist in favour of Hibernian.  On 50 minutes the impressive Miller gathered the ball in midfield and slipped a superb pass into the path of Derek Riordan - the striker took up the classic shape every Hibernian supporter has learned to love as he steered the ball into the net via the back post.

O'Brien picked up a yellow card on 53 minutes after tripping Murray when the Hibernian full back had beaten him on the left, and from the resulting free kick Hibernian stunned the home support by going two goals in front.  The kick was taken from a wide position 16 yards out, and to the surprise of everyone Merouane Zemmama curled a shot high towards the near post - the goalkeeper got a hand to it but could not halt the ball from bulging the net.

Jim Gannon immediately looked to make a change and on 57 minutes he replaced Jutkiewicz and O'Brien with Murphy and McHugh.  Miller was the first player to be yellow carded for Hibernian before Motherwell had a penalty appeal dismissed.   A counter-attack at pace from Motherwell carved Hibernian wide open and substitute Murphy was soon racing clear on goal, but captain Chris Hogg did superbly to make up the ground and knock the ball away from the Motherwell man who immediately fell to the turf in hope rather than expectation.

McHugh then wasted a good opportunity to pull a goal back when he poorly headed off target after being picked out by another good cross from Forbes.  On 68 minutes Hibernian had a third and strongest yet penalty appeal of the afternoon waved away when Nish put Miller through on goal and the midfielder was taken down from behind by Moutaouakil just as he was about to pull the trigger. 

Hibernian's first change of the afternoon saw Galbraith replace Stokes, and it did not take the youngster long to become involved.  Gathering the ball just inside the Motherwell half he raced away down the left and a dip of his shoulder was enough to get beyond Moutaouakil and have a shot at goal from the edge of the penalty area - the effort though lacking the power to beat Ruddy.  Motherwell at times were struggling to get out of their half with Miller outstanding in the Hibernian midfield.  The former Manchester United playmaker appeared to be everywhere, winning tackles, laying off passes and involved with every attack. 

Despite Hibernian's dominance Motherwell were always a threat on the counter-attack and on one such foray Wotherspoon was cautioned for tripping Murphy on the edge of the box.  The resulting free kick from Forbes earned Motherwell a corner kick but did not put Stack under any real pressure.   As the game entered the final 15 or so minutes both teams made further changes with Benjelloun replacing Nish and Coke withdrawn for Humphrey.  By now however every time Hibernian went forward they did so with a purpose and the supporters that had made the journey from Edinburgh in large numbers were lapping it up.

On 85 minutes Riordan was replaced by Rankin as Motherwell pushed forward for a late avenue back into the match.  From a corner kick, the loose ball was hooked back towards his own net by Bamba but he was spared embarrassment when Miller head clear from the goal-line.  Merouane Zemmama, who had come in for some rough treatment from the home support, then displayed a moment of individual brilliance that left no fewer than five Motherwell players in his wake.  Ghosting in-and-out of challenges from the home team he slipped the ball through to Galbraith who had his shot well saved by Ruddy.  Galbraith gathered the rebound and picked out Rankin with his cut back but he was unable to keep the ball down and his effort flew over the bar.

That was the final action of an excellent match where Hibernian thoroughly deserved to come out on top.  For long periods of the second half John Hughes men had been extremely dominant and a victory by a larger margin would not have been harsh on the home side.  It was a performance that the Hibernian support will certainly savour and gives a great deal of hope for the remainder of the season.

Motherwell: Ruddy, Moutaouakil, Hammell, Reynolds, Coke, Jutkiewicz, Sutton, O'Brien, Hateley, Forbes, Saunders.  Subs: Fraser, Craigan, Humphrey, Jennings, Lasley, Murphy, McHugh.

Hibernian: Stack, Hogg, Murray, Zemmama, Nish, Riordan, McBride, Stokes, Wotherspoon, Bamba, Miller.  Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Cregg, Rankin, Thicot, Benjelloun, Hanlon, Galbraith.

Referee: Steve Conroy.

Report: Richard Payne