Motherwell Crush Kilmarnock To Extend Home Unbeaten Run

Motherwell fans had plenty to cheer about at Fir Park on January 24, 2026, as their team delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock, stretching their remarkable unbeaten home run to nine games and keeping the Scottish Premiership’s upper echelons within touching distance. For Kilmarnock, however, the afternoon proved another bitter chapter in a winless streak that now spans 17 matches, intensifying relegation fears for Neil McCann’s embattled side.

With the Steelmen’s faithful in full voice and a crowd of around 6,700 in attendance, anticipation was high. Motherwell’s recent form at home has been nothing short of sensational, and the hosts were eager to maintain their fortress-like record. The afternoon began with both teams trading early blows, but it was Kilmarnock who threatened first. Inside the opening minute, Dominic Thompson’s long throw caused chaos in the Motherwell box, and Tyreece John-Jules’ effort flashed just wide. The visitors thought they’d snatched an early lead in the 13th minute when Liam Polworth latched onto John-Jules’ through ball, rounded Calum Ward, and slotted home. But after a lengthy VAR check, Polworth was adjudged to have strayed inches offside—a let-off for Motherwell and a sign of the drama to come.

Motherwell, initially struggling to find their rhythm, gradually asserted themselves. Emmanuel Longelo’s stinging strike in the 27th minute forced a save from Kelle Roos, and Tawanda Maswanhise nearly pounced on the rebound. The breakthrough came just two minutes later. A slick one-two between Elijah Just and Callum Slattery saw the New Zealand international drill the ball high into the net, sending the home crowd into raptures. "A delightful exchange at the edge of the box with Lukas Fadinger sent Just clear, and his rising left-foot finish sent the ball high past Roos," reported one source, capturing the quality of the move.

Kilmarnock responded with spirit. In the 36th minute, Dominic Thompson whipped in a free kick, and John-Jules’ powerful header rattled the crossbar, coming agonizingly close to an equalizer. Yet, as the first half drew to a close, disaster struck for the visitors. Already on a yellow card, Tom Lowery lunged at Maswanhise and received his marching orders for a second bookable offence. Just 47 seconds later, Motherwell doubled their lead. A set-piece routine saw Tom Sparrow tee up Maswanhise, who volleyed home from close range for his 16th goal of the season. The double blow left Kilmarnock reeling, a man down and two goals behind as the teams headed for the interval.

Motherwell came out after the break brimming with confidence and quickly took control. The third goal arrived in the 56th minute, courtesy of Ibrahim Said. Longelo’s low cross bobbled through a crowded penalty area, and Said capitalized on a fortunate break of the ball to smash it past Roos from close range. The Steelmen refused to take their foot off the gas, with Lukas Fadinger testing Roos and Elijah Just missing a golden opportunity at the near post.

As the game wore on, Motherwell’s dominance only grew. With eight minutes left, new signing Eythor Bjorgolfsson—making his debut from the bench—played a key role in the build-up to the fourth goal. Bjorgolfsson claimed a loose ball in the box and laid it off to Fadinger, who blasted low into the net to put the seal on a richly rewarding afternoon for the hosts. The Norwegian striker was lively throughout his cameo, even setting up Callum Slattery for a thunderous 30-yard strike that was well saved by Roos.

Motherwell’s defence, marshalled by captain Paul McGinn and ably supported by Calum Ward between the sticks, was rarely troubled in the second half. Ward’s most notable intervention came ten minutes from time, when he pulled off a terrific one-handed save to deny Brad Lyons and preserve his side’s ninth consecutive home clean sheet. The final whistle was met with jubilation from the stands, as Motherwell’s players celebrated another emphatic home performance that keeps them within four points of second place in the Premiership table. With Rangers and Celtic set to play later in the weekend, the Steelmen’s momentum couldn’t be better timed.

For Kilmarnock, the result only deepens their woes. Neil McCann’s men remain mired in the relegation play-off spot, three points above bottom club Livingston and five adrift of St Mirren in 10th, having played a game more. Their last win at Fir Park dates back to December 2020, and with 17 matches now gone without a victory, the pressure is mounting. The early promise shown by John-Jules and Polworth quickly faded after the VAR intervention, and Lowery’s red card proved a turning point from which Killie never recovered.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou made five changes to the side that progressed in the Scottish Cup the previous week, including handing starts to Longelo, Fadinger, and Just. The tactical tweaks paid dividends, with the midfield trio of Fadinger, Slattery, and Just controlling proceedings, and Maswanhise’s clinical finishing making the difference up front. The bench, featuring four Motherwell FC Academy graduates, also highlighted the club’s commitment to youth development. Bjorgolfsson’s debut, meanwhile, offered fans a tantalizing glimpse of what the Norwegian forward could bring in the weeks ahead.

Motherwell’s nine-game unbeaten run at Fir Park—without conceding a single goal—ranks among the best defensive streaks in recent club history. The Steelmen now look well positioned to challenge the league’s traditional powerhouses, with the likes of Rangers and Celtic looking nervously over their shoulders. As for Kilmarnock, the task ahead is daunting. With relegation rivals starting to show signs of life, McCann’s side must find a way to halt their slide and rekindle their attacking spark if they’re to avoid the drop.

As the Scottish Premiership campaign heats up, Motherwell’s fans can dare to dream of a top-two finish, while Kilmarnock face a critical stretch where every point will be precious. The contrast between the two sides couldn’t be starker after this one-sided affair at Fir Park—but with plenty of football left to play, both teams know their destinies are still very much in their own hands.