Aberdeen’s message to Celtic is unequivocal: they are not giving up on the race for the Scottish Premiership title. The home side, aided by a defensive blunder by Louis Laing, of Motherwell, early in the second half, overcame a 1-0 deficit to hit two goals in two minutes through Ash Taylor and Adam Rooney to move three points behind Celtic at the top.
Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, sprang a surprise with his team selection as Jamie Langfield was restored in goal and Scott Brown, offered his chance following his colleague’s poor performance in the 3-0 defeat away to Hamilton Academical in October, was relegated to the substitutes’ bench. His poor performance in the 4-0 defeat away to Celtic almost two weeks ago clearly encouraged McInnes to make the change.
There was no sign of Willo Flood, the energetic midfielder, which meant Ryan Jack was paired alongside Donervorn Daniels as the defensive protectors while Motherwell fielded the side that drew with Kilmarnock a week ago.
Langfield was soon tested with a swerving shot by Lee Erwin but there was a flatness to this encounter for long spells. Had Kenny McLean finished from ten yards rather than firing high into the Merkland Road Stand, however, the complexion of the game would have changed in Aberdeen’s favour after 20 minutes.
Motherwell remained calm and should have taken the lead eight minutes later when Erwin was denied by Langfield again.
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Erwin had proved problematic for Aberdeen and Daniels was removed from play after 35 minutes and replaced by Peter Pawlett as McInnes looked for an injection of pace from the midfielder but Motherwell took the lead with a dramatic opener two minutes later.
The big striker’s long-range strike was on target but as Scott McDonald ran across the face of the goal he made contact to divert the ball into the Aberdeen net.
The home side’s efforts for an early retaliation almost paid off moments later and George Long, the Motherwell goalkeeper, had to be on acrobatic form to save low from McLean’s powerful downward header.
But the Pittodrie side’s intentions were clear in the early stages of the second half and their resilience bubbled to the surface with two goals in as many minutes.
The first, in the 51st minute, came from the head of Taylor, a towering figure at the back post waiting to finish Niall McGinn’s corner kick from the left.
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Then, a couple of minutes later, a weak back-header towards his goalkeeper from Laing fell woefully short and Rooney’s predatory instincts allowed him to collect the loose ball and score his 24th goal of the season for Aberdeen.
It was an error Motherwell did not need as it also succeeded in the home side sniffing blood and to add to their lead against a courageous but largely overrun Lanarkshire outfit, devoid of ideas and unable to cope with the attacking play of McGinn.
Aberdeen (4-2-3-1): J Langfield -S Logan, A Taylor, M Reynolds, A Considine — D Daniels (P Pawlett 35 — C Robertson 90), R Jack — N McGinn, K McLean, D Goodwillie (B Robson 78) — A Rooney. Substitutes not used: S Brown, C Smith, L Shankland, A Driver.
Motherwell (4-4-2): G Long — J Law, L Laing, S McManus, A Straker — C Grant (L Ainsworth 66), K Lasley, S Pearson, M Johnston (J Sutton 77) — S McDonald, L Erwin (D Thomas 86). Substitutes not used: D Twardzik, S Ramsden, C Moore, M O’Brien. Booked: Lasley, Erwin, McDonald.
Referee: C Allan.
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