A Tale of Two Halves in Perth
In a dramatic Scottish Premiership clash at McDiarmid Park, Theo Bair came back to bite his former club, heading home the equalizer for Motherwell in a 1-1 draw against St Johnstone. The result leaves both sides three points clear of the relegation playoff spot, with Jeetwin bringing you an in-depth tactical breakdown of this thrilling encounter.
How the Game Unfolded
St Johnstone’s Controversial Opener
The hosts struck first in controversial fashion just three minutes in. Ryan McGowan tapped in Max Kucheriavyi’s cross, but Motherwell players erupted in protest—Andy Considine appeared to be obstructing goalkeeper Liam Kelly from an offside position. VAR upheld the goal, leaving Stuart Kettlewell’s side fuming.
Ryan McGowan’s early strike sparked debate—was Considine interfering with play?
Motherwell’s Resurgence
Despite the setback, the Steelmen responded brilliantly. Blair Spittal’s pinpoint cross found Bair, whose glancing header ricocheted off the post and in. The Canadian striker, who spent last season at St Johnstone, silenced the home crowd with a composed finish.
Motherwell dominated the second half, with Spittal and Georgie Gent causing havoc down the flanks. However, Dimitar Mitov’s heroics in goal kept the scores level, including a stunning save to deny Bair a second.
Key Talking Points
Kettlewell’s Referee Rant
Post-match, Stuart Kettlewell launched a scathing critique of referee Colin Steven:
- Inconsistent bookings: “Our players get carded for minor fouls, while similar challenges against us go unpunished.”
- Head injury neglect: “Harry Paton was elbowed in the face, and play continued. Player safety must come first.”
Levein’s Pragmatic View
Craig Levein admitted St Johnstone were second-best:
- “We didn’t play well, but a point is a point. Time to move on.”
What’s Next?
- St Johnstone face a relegation six-pointer at Ross County (Feb 3, 3pm).
- Motherwell host Kilmarnock in another crucial mid-table clash (Feb 3, 3pm).
Jeetwin Verdict: Motherwell showed resilience, but their away win drought continues. Bair’s resurgence could be key to their survival push.
For more tactical insights and Scottish Premiership updates, stay tuned to Jeetwin —your home for expert football analysis.
