I watched Motherwell v St Johnstone from press box: 3 things I spotted as Wolves loanee thrives, hero returns

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Motherwell ensured no Hampden hangover with a win against St Johnstone.

Motherwell edged to a 2-1 victory in their Premiership clash with St Johnstone at Fir Park.

Tawanda Maswanhise headed the hosts in front after Graham Carey almost bent the ball into the home net. Tom Sparrow doubled the claret and amber lead before the break to put them in a commanding position.

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Nicky Clark’s penalty halved the deficit and Jack Sanders almost split the spoils before the equaliser was ruled out for handball. Motherwell sit fifth and level on points with fourth-placed Dundee United heading into the international break. St Johnstone are 10th.

Coming into this one off the back of Premier Sports Cup defeat to Rangers, there was no room for a cup hangover against a side playing better football under Fir Park favourite and new boss Simo Valakari. There was evidence of that in the first 45 as Saints dominated possession.

It wasn’t by design but Carey’s technical prowess was clear as a dangerous ball into the box was low and just past the post. Motherwell were absorbing the pressure though and pounced when they spotted an opening, Steve Seddon doing brilliantly to pick out Marvin Kaleta on the right flank.

The Wolves loanee cut onto his weaker foot, pinged an expert ball into the backpost for Maswanhise to head into the net. Rinse and repeat was name of the game for the second, again Motherwell repelling a St Johnstone attack, with Lennon Miller sending a ball into Sparrow to lash low and hard into the corner.

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Despite St Johnstone being worth more than the 2-0 scoreline suggested, Motherwell had put on a clinic in precision and efficiency that has guided them comfortably into the top half so far this season. Heading into the final 45, it had a feel of one more goal for Motherwell and the Saints resistance - what was left of it - would crumble.

Sparrow almost had that strike but slashed his shot after a wonderful first touch. Then a bolt out the blue, a shot from Carey was deemed to have been handled by Andy Halliday after a VAR check. Clark stepped up to fire St Johnstone back into a game they weren’t up until that point.

It brought a degree of nerves to the stands but Motherwell simply had to make sure they remained in a composed in a game they did have control of. Saints began to throw a bit more caution to the wind near the end and it opened gaps, Tony Watt blazing high over the bar. Despite their control, the hosts didn’t hammer home advantage with more goals and were very nearly punished.

Sanders knocked the ball home from a corner but VAR ruled the leveller out for handball, with victory eventually secured Next up for Stuart Kettlewell’s side is Ross County away from home after the international break. I was in the press box for the match. Here are three things I spotted.

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Groundhog day

For the sixth consecutive time, a Motherwell win comes by the score of 2-1. It kickstarted with the last win over this opposition and has continued through games against Dundee United twice, St Mirren and Hibs. There’s probably less nervy ways to win games but it’s working for a side proving very difficult to beat to now.

A hero returns

It was a return to Motherwell for Valakari, who was recently appointed manager of St Johnstone. He’s been linked countless time with becoming boss at Motherwell but finally has his shot back in Scotland in Perth.

There’s evidence of the attacking brand of football he wants to play already but it’s leaving St Johnstone vulnerable at the back. Motherwell took advantage of this and January’s transfer window can’t come soon enough for him. There were no jeers or whistles for the fondly remember ex-player who featured for the club between 1996-2000.

Full-back factory

There’s a lot of talk over Kettlewell’s positive development of players and more is that clear at both left and right-back. Wolves loanee Kaleta can be added to the wall of stars that include Max Johnston, James Furlong, Brodie Spencer, Georgie Gent, not to mention experienced stars like Stephen O’Donnell, Paul McGinn and Steve Seddon.

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Academy product Ewan Wilson has made left-back his own amid his rapid development this term and Kaleta looks a strong and powerful defender, despite just coming into the senior game. A lot of praise has to go to the gaffer on this front.

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