Aberdeen’s dismal winless run was extended to 10 matches after they lost 2-0 at Fir Park.
Jimmy Thelin’s side have now lost their last five Premiership matches and picked up just three points during a torrid run of results that have all but extinguished memories of their rise to the top of the table during the Swedish manager’s sensational start.
The hosts took the lead 11 minutes before half-time thanks to Ewan Wilson’s first professional goal, before a disastrous 60 seconds just before the break would prove costly for the Dons.
Slobodan Rubežić was sent off after a clash with Tony Watt, then immediately after Tawanda Maswanhisa doubled Motherwell’s lead.
The Dons improved in the second half, but were unable to find a way into the game.
Both managers made four changes as they looked to end their winless streaks.
Nick Walsh appealed to VAR in the eighth minute after Davor Zdravkovski was booked for a late tackle on Sivert Nilsen, although a yellow card was deemed the appropriate punishment for the North Macedonia international.
The guests had the first notable chance when Kevin Nisbet headed in Ante Palaversa’s corner kick.
Motherwell responded positively. Maswanhise tested Ross Doohan in the Aberdeen goal with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, then Dan Casey spurned a brilliant chance when he headed home after being dispossessed by Andy Halliday.
Most of the Dons’ threats came from ball situations and Aston Oxborough were forced into a good stop when Nicky Devlin rose highest to head home Palaversa’s corner.
Just after the half-hour mark, a promising Well attack involving Maswanhise and Moses Ebiye ended with Watt lingering too long before pulling the trigger – allowing Palaversi to get back and block.
The match broke in the 34th minute. The visiting defense opened up too easily, and Watt’s shot fell to Wilson, who knocked the ball home.
As the game approached half-time, a frantic 60 seconds would leave Aberdeen facing a mountain to climb.
After a run-in with Watt, Rubezic was adjudged to have headbutted Wellman – resulting in a clean red card.
Things got worse for the visitors when play resumed, Liam Gordon’s simple long ball sent Maswanhise through on goal and he made no mistake as he sent the ball wide of Doohan.
Devlin came agonizingly close to pulling Aberdeen back into the game when Gordon superbly diverted his goalbound effort.
Time was running out for the visitors, Palaversa’s thunderous shot hitting the foot of the crossbar 18 minutes before, although they then survived the break on their own after Maswanhise’s shot went wide.
Stuart Kettlewell introduced Callum Slattery late on for his first appearance in over a year during the closing stages, while captain Paul McGinn also returned from injury.
The last chance of the game fell to Sam Nicholson, who fired a powerful shot through the goal.
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