Theo Bair scored for a fifth consecutive cinch Premiership recreation as Motherwell thrashed Ross County 5-0 at Fir Park.
The previous St Johnstone ahead put Motherwell three up with a Thirty eighth-minute penalty to make it six targets throughout his run and eight for the season.
Blair Spittal struck two brilliantly-taken targets and each Andy Halliday and Jack Vale hit their first Motherwell targets because the Steelmen recorded their greatest victory since beating the identical opponents by the identical scoreline beneath Steven Hammell in October 2022.
Regardless of claiming solely a second win in 20 league video games, Stuart Kettlewell’s facet moved one level off the highest six and opened up a six-point lead over second-bottom County.
Derek Adams’ facet haven’t gained since beating Motherwell two months in the past and have solely collected two factors in that interval.
Bair might simply have had a hat-trick as Motherwell took benefit of an open County construction which left their two centre-backs uncovered.
Motherwell have been forward within the eighth minute when Spittal fed Bair to sq. for Halliday to comb residence from 12 yards.
The house facet doubled their lead within the twenty first minute when Spittal latched on to Halliday’s go and curled a strong shot in off the far publish from the left nook of the field.
It initially appeared like being a irritating evening for Bair, who was twice arrange for one-on-ones by Spittal however was foiled by George Wickens every time.
The striker couldn’t fairly attain Spittal’s low cross and was then ready for a tap-in when Harry Paton picked the fallacious possibility.
Bair got here nearer when he chested down Stephen O’Donnell’s diagonal ball and volleyed into the highest nook from 18 yards, solely to be denied by the offside flag.
However the Canada worldwide obtained his objective after Paton was tripped by Will Nightingale, assuming penalty duties from Spittal, who missed his final effort in opposition to Alloa. Bair shrugged off a needlessly-lengthy VAR delay to ship Wickens the fallacious method.
County had loads of possession within the first half however Motherwell usually blocked their technique to objective with some compact defending and efficient urgent. Liam Kelly comfortably saved from Simon Murray within the guests’ solely effort on track earlier than the break.
Motherwell appeared comfy after the restart with out severely threatening and Murray missed an excellent probability to provide the guests a lifeline halfway by the second half when he despatched a free header vast from six yards out.
The hosts in any other case appeared the way more harmful facet. Bair was once more performed by by Spittal and appeared to have carried out the whole lot proper when he dinked the ball over Wickens however his effort drifted simply vast.
Wickens saved nicely from Georgie Gent after slack play from James Brown however the goalkeeper was nicely overwhelmed within the 87th minute when Spittal curled an imposing strike into the highest nook from 25 yards.
The midfielder then performed an ideal go in between the County central defence for on-loan Blackburn ahead Vale to run on to and slot residence in stoppage-time.
Motherwell supervisor Stuart Kettlewell stated: “It is a top-drawer efficiency. To beat any crew on this league 5-0, you are taking part in nicely.
“I felt you saw what was an accumulation of what I feel has been some good performances. Sometimes you feel as if you’re patronising supporters and people in the media but I genuinely do believe we were working towards a win.
“We now have been functioning nicely as a crew, six unbeaten now, and that places a pleasant end to it with the 5 targets. However in all probability the ruthless facet of me says that it might and may have been a number of extra. We had some great alternatives.
“The ruthless side of me says that we still want to work towards a better conversion rate but I have just reminded everyone it’s one game of football.”
Ross County supervisor Derek Adams stated: “Motherwell were the better side, obviously, scored goals and could have scored a lot more.”
Adams blamed “decision-making on and off the ball” for the heavy scoreline.
“We didn’t deal well enough with the runners,” he added. “It’s the basics of defending, isn’t it? Seeing your man in front of you. As soon as your man is in front of you then you’ve got a problem.
“The Motherwell attacker was on our shoulder a variety of instances and was capable of get in behind. That they had some good runs in behind and I assumed they have been wonderful. They picked us off and scored 5.”
What’s subsequent?
Motherwell’s consideration turns to the Scottish Cup with a fifth spherical tie in opposition to Chamionship facet Morton in Friday evening. Kick-off 7.30pm.
Their subsequent Scottish Premiership match is away to Aberdeen on February 14 with Ross County returning to motion that evening at Rangers. Each video games kick off at 7.45pm.