Sauzee proves the old ones are best ones

MOTHERWELL 1 HIBERNIAN 3

AT the end of a week in which much of the talk has centred on giving youth its chance, Franck Sauzee set out the case for football's elderly statesmen.

As the bookies' favourite to succeed Craig Brown as Scotland boss, Alex McLeish, were he to answer the call, would be forgiven in wishing his talismanic sweeper had a Scottish granny.

Hibs - with Ulrik Laursen and Alen Orman rampaging down the flanks, Ulises de la Cruz returning from international duty, and Craig Brewster coveting every scrap of possession - bossed the game throughout.

But that it was the veteran Frenchman who scored two goals (one from the penalty spot), had a hand in another, and still had time to miss another penalty said much for his influence on everything that unfolded at Fir Park.

For Motherwell, however, who have now failed to win any of their four home matches in the SPL, by the end the disaffection seeping from the stands told its own story.

The Lanarkshire side may still be called The Steelmen, but after a result that leaves them looking ever more like candidates for a season-long fight against relegation, yesterday some of that precious mettle seemed to be missing. In a game of three spot kicks, Motherwell paid for that lack of industry. Next up is Rangers next Sunday.

Afterwards, Billy Davies said: "I think we need more fighting spirit and workrate. But I'm contracted until 2004 and I'm not going anywhere."

Things had started well enough for the home team. Both sides had appeared in identical 3-5-2 formations, with young Stephen Pearson keeping his place for Motherwell, while Hibs installed De la Cruz inside, at the expense of Grant Brebner. McLeish even had the luxury of leaving David Zitelli out.

Although Hibs had started slightly stronger, the hosts struck first after 14 minutes.

Running on to an innocuous-looking lofted pass, Stuart Elliott's sharp turn fooled Gary Smith. The former Dons defender wrestled back, and Stuart Dougal pointed to the spot. David Kelly made no mistake, wrongfooting Nick Colgan as he rammed it to the keeper's right.

Going into the game, Motherwell had the least successful tackling rate in the SPL. It is unlikely that they improved their percentages yesterday, as two mistimed lunges inside their own penalty box gave Sauzee two attempts from 12 yards. His first in 16 minutes cancelled out the hosts' lead immediately.

Kevin Twaddle is potentially Motherwell's most creative force. But asked to track back after a precise one-two between Ulrik Laursen and Tom McManus, his forward's tackle always looked bound to result in a penalty. The referee obliged and Sauzee steered it coolly to the goalkeeper's right. Twaddle was withdrawn at half-time.

Fifteen minutes later, Sauzee's second penalty attempt - after a move had been ended with a Scott Leitch challenge on Matthias Jack just inside the penalty box - was blasted straight up the middle. Mark Brown dived to his right but still repelled the ball straight back towards the Frenchman. Sauzee let it trundle through his legs and the chance was lost.

Tom McManus was replaced by Paco Luna after a clash of heads with Leitch - although the Scotland Under-21 youngster will be fit to take on AEK Athens on Thursday.

Hibs got their deserved lead four minutes after the break. After Brewster had been fouled on the edge of the box, Sauzee stepped up, determined to banish the memory of his penalty miss. His spectacular curling shot, the ball striking the goal frame on its path past Brown, did precisely that.

Paul Fenwick made the game safe in 65 minutes, Sauzee's free-kick was not properly cleared and the former Morton defender stabbed the ball precisely past Brown from just inside the box.

Many of the Lanarkshire side's fans made their excuses and left there and then.

Copyright 2001
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