By Hibernian FC

Porto’s match-winner came shortly after Connor Shields saw red for the visitors and secured our fourth win in-a-row as we move into third place in the cinch Premiership.

Both teams recorded comfortable victories over Ross County in their last outings – us last weekend and Motherwell in midweek – so it was unsurprising that neither side made any changes to their starting XI for today’s encounter.

Club legend Franck Sauzee delivered a touch of class during his time in green and this afternoon he brought the match ball ahead of kick-off as we lined-up in our usual 4-2-3-1 formation.

The game started at a lively pace with both teams enjoying early opportunities. Sean Goss had the first with a volley from the edge of the area that fizzed past David Marshall’s near post before Martin Boyle’s angled drive at the other end forced a diving save from Liam Kelly.

Moments later Mykola Kuharevich stole possession from Ricki Lamie and found the overlapping run of Elie Youan only for the striker to delay his shot at goal just long enough to allow Sondre Johansen enough time to slide in and make a last-gasp block.

Both teams have been in good form lately and it showed on the park as they each played with the confidence only a string of victories can bring and the attacking play from each side was fantastic to watch.

After a penalty box stramash that saw Chris Cadden’s shot blocked, the ball dropped to Boyle on the edge of the area and once again he brought a save out from Kelly.

At the other end, the pace of Joe Efford was giving Marijan Cabraja cause for concern and the Motherwell man was unlucky with a terrific ran down the right that ended with him dragging his shot just wide of goal.

After such a frenetic opening, the pace of the game dropped significantly and there was little for either set of supporters to get excited about for the next 20 minutes.

That said, we finished the first half on top and had a series of half-chances in the closing moments.

First, Joe Newell’s shot from 25 yards was deflected off Callum Slattery allowing Kelly an easy save, before the same player fired over from a Youan cut back and finally Porteous stung the palms of Kelly with a powerful free kick that the goalkeeper was well positioned for.

There were no changes for either side at the interval as the second period started slowly with neither side able to assert any dominance on proceedings.

Kevin van Veen scored a midweek hat-trick for the Steelmen yet, had barely seen any action this afternoon. He did however have a good chance on 54 minutes after side-stepping Porteous only for his curling effort to drift wide of goal.

That opportunity appeared to spark us back into life and almost immediately we raced to the other end of the park with Kuharevich’s cross being met on the volley by Youan only to draw a fine save from Kelly.

On 56 minutes the visitors were reduced to ten men as we countered with pace and Shields hauled down Porteous as he looked to race clear.

We made a series of changes in an attempt to press home our extra man advantage and it paid off on 67 minutes when Boyle’s deflected cross was glanced into the net by a wonderful, brave header from Porteous, who collided with Goss in the process.

To their credit the ten-men sought a quick reply and almost got one as Marshall saved brilliantly from Goss at his near post.

We had the ball in the Motherwell net on 78 minutes when Kuharevich slotted Boyle’s low cross in from close however, the Ukrainian striker had strayed offside, and his celebrations were cut short.

Substitute Kyle Magennis was then close with a dipping free kick that was just over the top of Kelly’s goal.

In the dying embers of the game Motherwell bravely threw caution to the wind and pushed forward ensuring a tense final few minutes.

Yet, we stood tall at the back with Lewis Stevenson – making his 550th appearance for the club – twice making crucial blocks to deny Elford and ensuring we deservedly took the spoils.

Hibernian: Marshall, Cabraja (Stevenson 64’), Hanlon, Porteous, Kenneh (Magennis 64’), Newell, Cadden, Youan (McKirdy 57’), Campbell, Boyle, Kuharevich (Melkersen 80’). Substitutes not used: Schofield, Tavares, Henderson, McGregor, Fish.

Motherwell: Kelly, Lamie, Spittal (Tierney 23’, (O’Donnell 71’)), Slattery (Cornelius 71’), van Veen (Moult 71’), Efford, Johansen, McGinn (McKinstry 85’), Penny, Goss, Shields. Substitutes not used: Oxborough, Mugabi, Maguire, Morris.

Referee: Grant Irvine.

Attendance: 16,435.