Aberdeen’s dismal winless run was extended to 10 matches after they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Fir Park.
Jimmy Thelin’s men have now lost their last five Premiership encounters and picked up just three points during a torrid run of results that have all but extinguished the memories of their surge to the top of the table during a sensational start for the Swedish boss.
The hosts took the lead 11 minute before half-time courtesy of Ewan Wilson’s first professional goal, before a disastrous 60 seconds just before the interval would prove costly for the Dons.
Slobodan Rubezic was sent off after a clash with Tony Watt, then straight from the restart, Tawanda Maswanhise drilled home to double Motherwell’s advantage.
Aberdeen’s Slobodan Rubezic was sent off at Motherwell
The Dons were improved in the second half, but were unable to find a way back into the match.
Both managers made four changes as they aimed to end their respective winless runs.
Nick Walsh consulted VAR in the eighth minute after Davor Zdravkovski was punished for a late challenge on Sivert Nilsen, though a yellow card was deemed a suitable punishment for the North Macedonia international.
The first chance of note came for the visitors when Kevin Nisbet headed over from Ante Palaversa’s corner.
Motherwell responded positively. Maswanhise tested Ross Doohan in the Aberdeen goal with a fizzing effort from the edge of the box, then Dan Casey spurned a brilliant chance when he headed wide after he was picked out by Andy Halliday.
Motherwell’s Ewan Wilson celebrates opening the scoring
Most of the Dons’ threat was coming from set-piece situations and Aston Oxborough was forced into a good stop when Nicky Devlin rose highest to meet Palaversa’s corner.
Just after the half-hour mark, a promising Well attack involving Maswanhise and Moses Ebiye ended with Watt delaying too long before pulling the trigger – allowing Palaversa to get back and make the block.
The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute. The away defence was opened up all too easily and Watt’s cutback fell to Wilson, who slammed the ball home.
As the game moved towards half-time, a crazy 60 seconds would leave Aberdeen facing a mountain to climb.
Following a coming together with Watt, Rubezic was adjudged to have headbutted the Well man – receiving a straight red card as a result.
Things got even worse for the visitors when play resumed, a simple long ball from Liam Gordon sent Maswanhise in on goal and he made no mistake as he sent an angled drive beyond Doohan.
Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswinhise (R) celebrates scoring to make it 2-0
Devlin came agonisingly close to dragging Aberdeen back into the game when his goalbound effort was superbly diverted behind by Gordon.
Time was running out for the visitors, a thunderous effort from Palaversa clattered the underside of the bar with 18 minutes left, though they would then survive an escape of their own as Maswanhise’s shot skimmed just wide.
Stuart Kettlewell introduced Callum Slattery late on for his first appearance in more than a year during the closing stages, while skipper Paul McGinn also made his comeback from injury.
The final chance of the game fell to Sam Nicholson, who took a heavy touch as he raced through on goal.