Stephen O'Donnell had not scored in the top flight since May 2021
Motherwell picked up their first victory of the new Premiership season, punishing sloppy Hearts at Fir Park.
Headed goals from Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell, both from set-pieces, undid Steven Naismith's side, who looked particularly shaky at the back.
Yutaro Oda got one back for the visitors, before Tom Sparrow intercepted an under-hit backpass to fire in a third and restore the hosts' two-goal advantage.
The defeat leaves Hearts without a win in their first five games of the season.
Zach Robinson must still be scratching his head wondering how he failed to score after 20 minutes. A cross to the back post was nodded to the striker, who planted a header at goal from four yards out - only to see his effort strike the head of Craig Gordon and go over.
However, Motherwell soon shrugged that moment off to go ahead. Lennon Miller curled a free-kick to the back post where an unmarked McGinn powered his header into the bottom corner.
Tawanda Maswanhise had a shot saved as the hosts began to dominate, although Blair Spittal saw one cleared off the line to remind Motherwell of the visiting threat.
That threat was rarely on display though. Tony Watt was the next to go close, before the second goal came from O'Donnell.
Similar to the first, it was a cracking free-kick delivery from Miller met by the head of O'Donnell.
Plenty of Hearts fans headed for the exit only to miss a brief fightback. Lawrence Shankland shimmied past two defenders in the box and cut back to Oda, who fired a low shot home.
The frail Hearts backline undid that hard work though. Andres Salazar, making his debut, under-hit his backpass and Sparrow was able to steal in and strike the killer blow.
Maswanhise lights up Fir Park on full debut
It was a tough pre-season for Stuart Kettlewell as bodies dropped all around, but he looks to have recruited a gem in Leicester loanee Maswanhise.
They have struggled to create in the opening few weeks but the Zimbabwe international was a real threat on the left, giving Gerald Taylor a torrid time as he cut in to shoot with his right.
At the back, Motherwell looked really solid and Liam Gordon has been a fantastic addition. Dan Casey and McGinn look astute next to him in the back three.
Miller, on his 18th birthday, commanded the midfield. Ewan Wilson has adapted well to Premiership football.
A little bit of confidence goes a long way and there is suddenly a positive feeling around Fir Park after two good results.
Imbalanced Hearts exposed defensively
While Motherwell looked assured tactically, full of menace in attack, Hearts were the complete opposite.
They enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half but created very little as they struggled to get Alan Forrest or Yan Dhanda involved.
Defensively, they were at sixes and sevens for all three Motherwell goals. From every set-piece, there was a nervousness and an expectation that the home side would cause problems.
The summer recruitment drive - lauded in quarters originally - suddenly seems poor and more business may need to be done, despite the squad already looking fairly bloated.
The lack of consistency in team selection or tactical style has resulted in confusion across the park, while Shankland looks exhausted up top.
Last season started slowly too. There are dissenting voices already, but Naismith has turned the ship around before.
What they said
Lennon Miller post-match interview.
Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller: "I work on set-pieces. I fancy myself from a dead ball. The movement in the box needs to be good and I just try to put it in an area.
"I never got a goal in the league last year, so that's a target."
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "It was a Motherwell performance and I want to rubber stamp that.
"Our energy was great, we were on the front foot and we were unbelievably comfortable defensively. I'm delighted we finished strong and we were deserving of the three points.
"There were so many good individual performances out there. It's only one performance though, that's all it is."
Hearts head coach Steven Naismith: "The story of the game was in both boxes - not good enough. The goals we've conceded are really poor.
"Decision making on the pitch is what's costing us, it's plain to see. It's really frustrating. We need to be switched on much better."
'Small details' costing Hearts - Naismith
