Motherwell defied the odds to keep their top six hopes alive after completing a sensational second-half comeback win at a Dundee.
Jordan McGhee and Luke McCowan had the home side firmly in the ascendency after finding the target across both halves but with just over ten minutes to play, Motherwell capitalised on a barrage of opportunities, with Georgie Gent, Theo Bair and debutant Moses Ebiye stunning the Dens Park crowd to complete a thrilling afternoon, with the Steelmen sealing three points in the City of Discovery.
Question-marks shrouded the highly-anticipated fixture throughout the week, with the visitors preparations hindered by the uncertainty surrounding the playability of the aging Dens Park turf, with the pitch only just surviving two pitch inspections
The expectations were clear for the squad ahead of the afternoon, with a victory sustaining the Well’s optimistic push for the remaining top-six place. Neither side were able to establish a foothold in the game, with the heavy rain-soaked pitch and intense wind preventing both from finding a rhythm.
It took until the 28th minute for Stuart Kettlewell’s side to carve out any real chance of note. Georgie Gent burst forward on the left flank before curling an enticing delivery to fellow Blackburn loanee Jack Vale, but the forward could only guide his headed effort wide from twelve yards.
Dundee then threatened as Aaron Donnelly’s header across the face of goal reached the feet of Antonio Portales but the Mexican could only find the side-netting.
After a brief spell of possession, the hosts capitalised on a moment of defensive in-decision to break the first-half deadlock. A collection of crosses into the Motherwell penalty area eventually found Bakayoko, who’s header across the six-yard-box reached Jordan McGhee, who dispatched a header from close-range.
Motherwell looked to respond with an immediate attacking phase of play, but despite a clever interchange of play between Theo Bair and Jack Vale, the Welsh striker couldn’t apply the finishing touches with his left-footed effort. Motherwell continued to carve out opportunities but were never able to trouble Jon McCraken in the Dundee goal.
A reaction was needed, but despite a positive opening to the second-half, the hosts soon doubled their advantage. McCowan’s whipped delivery from the corner floated dangerously towards the Motherwell back post, and the forceful wind swirling within the stadium diverted the ball beyond the reach of Liam Kelly in the Motherwell goal.
With top-six hopes seemingly dashed, Motherwell were handed a lifeline as Joe Shaughnessy was ruled to have handled the ball inside the area. After a lengthy VAR check, Theo Bair stepped up and despite the Canadian’s initial effort being parried clear by McCraken, Gent reacted first to drill a low strike into the bottom-right corner.
Moments later, a hopeful break on the counter-attack left Bair racing through on goal, and after wrong-footing the Dundee stopper, the striker calmly placed his effort into the empty net.
Motherwell rallied by the late resurgence continued to threaten the Dundee goal, and midway through stoppage time, debutant Moses Ebiye parted the hosts backline to dispatch Vale’s drilled cross, with an exceptional volley; sending the travelling Motherwell supporters into hysterics.
