Hibernian 2-2 Motherwell: Elie Youan scores late to snatch point for Hibs

Elie Youan’s stoppage-time goal rescued a point for Hibernian at home against Motherwell and prevented a third straight Scottish Premiership loss.

Youan had slid a vibrant Hibs in front from the edge of the box in the first half, but Nick Montgomery’s side again allowed defensive lapses to undo some of their good attacking work.

From a throw-in, Theo Bair combined with Mika Biereth before netting his third goal in two games to level things by half-time.

Then Mugabi nodded in what looked like being the winner for Motherwell on 64 minutes after Stephen O’Donnell and Biereth won headers in the Hibs box.

The home side cranked up the pressure in the final quarter, with substitute Lewis Stevenson crashing a shot off the bar amid a flurry of deliveries into the Motherwell box.

And eventually the pressure paid off as a cross was stabbed into Youan’s path, and the winger drove the ball in off Mugabi to snatch a point and keep Hibs in sixth place at the winter break.

Motherwell drop to ninth despite earning their 11th point from a losing position, the most of any side in the league.

Player of the match – Elie Youan (Hibs)

Hibs’ missing ingredient & Motherwell resilience – analysis

Hibs will breathe a sigh of relief they escaped with a point, having actually played well for most of the game despite missing a host of players to international duty and injury.

Tavares and Youan were brilliant on the wings, as Hibs dominated possession and launched 37 crosses into the Motherwell box.

However, they did not get enough players into the area to get on the end of those chances, mustering just three shots on target and an expected goals rating of 0.64.

At the other end, they were again made to pay for defensive lapses. Motherwell, also hit hard by injuries, created better quality openings with just 32% of possession and fewer than half the number of passes and crosses.

January feels a big month for Montgomery with defensive recruits needed, and more threat at the top end of the pitch.

Motherwell underlined their resilience by again coming from a goal down to take points, but it should have been all three have got themselves in front.

Bair has found some form and Biereth is always lively, and only Celtic, Rangers and Hibs have scored more than Motherwell.

However, out of possession they made it too easy for their hosts as they stood off them regularly. They have the worst defensive record in the league and that is something Kettlewell needs to resolve during the winter break.

What’s next?

Both sides go into hibernation for three weeks before returning to play in the Scottish Cup. Hibs visit League 2 Forfar Athletic on 20 January (15:00 GMT) while Motherwell host League 1 Alloa at the same time.