Tawanda Maswanhise scores against DundeeSNS

Tawanda Maswanhise's seventh goal of the season deservedly put dominant Motherwell into a first-half lead at Dens Park

At a glance

  • Motherwell totally dominate first half and open scoring through fine Tawanda Maswanhise solo goal

  • Young defender Luke Graham nods improved hosts level shortly after break

  • Both sides pass up second-half chances before Dundee midfielder Yan Dhanda sees red late on

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Motherwell failed to make their domination count and became the first side this century to draw six straight Scottish Premiership games after conceding an "unacceptable" goal at Dundee.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou, whose team looked excellent on the eye again, lamented his team's defending for Luke Graham's equaliser at Dens Park.

The Fir Park club took a deserved lead when Tawanda Maswanhise's fine solo goal rewarded the visitors for a dominant first half.

But they failed to add to that advantage as a transformed home side levelled just after the interval through young Graham's back-post header.

"We play probably one of the best halves of my time here, then by far the worst one in the second half," Motherwell boss Askou told BBC Scotland.

"We have everything under control. Then the entire team is completely sleeping on a set play. That's unacceptable because there was time to set up and do much better."

Dundee were inspired by the half-time introduction of Cameron Congreve, who teed up captain Simon Murray just after the leveller, but the striker somehow dragged a golden chance wide.

There were also second-half openings for Motherwell, with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos failing to connect while colliding with a post and Maswanhise having a close-range finish saved by goalkeeper Jon McCracken.

Dundee had to see out the closing stages with 10 men after Yan Dhanda was shown a straight red card for a heavy challenge on Lukas Fadinger.

Despite impressive showings in each of their Premiership matches, Askou's Motherwell remain winless but unbeaten with five draws.

Including a final-day stalemate at Ross County last season, the Fir Park club have now drawn their past six league games.

Dundee, meanwhile, are also winless in the Premiership under Steven Pressley with two defeats and three draws in five matches.

Sportscene highlights: Dundee v Motherwell

13/09/2025

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Analysis: Well wasteful again as Pressley gets response

This is becoming a bit of a theme for Askou's side. The glass-half-full contingent will say the wins are in the post if these displays keep coming.

However, there is no guarantee this level of performance will continue. That is not a criticism, it is just the reality for a club with Motherwell's resources.

That is why it is so imperative the Fir Park side start to pick up wins when they are staring at them in the face.

Next weekend's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Pittodrie would be a good time to buck that trend.

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There were boos for Dundee at the half-time whistle, but Pressley has to take credit for throwing on the influential Congreve.

The 21-year-old, signed on loan from Swansea City in the summer, added all the drive and intensity that was missing from the home side in the first half.

During a sobering opening period, they had just one shot and 32% possession.

That improved after the break, but like Motherwell, the wins need to start coming.

Match stats

What they said

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "First half was a poor performance. The pleasing factor was we got a response from the players in the second half.

"[Cameron Congreve] has shown what an exciting talent he is. He was exceptional when he came on."

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "Totally our own fault we don't have the win. We didn't deserve it, although we had a few good chances, but so did they.

"We have to perform better. We have to take these moments and really look after them."

What's next for these teams?

Dundee: Pressley's side are at home again next Saturday (15:00 BST) as they host Livingston in the Premiership.

Motherwell: Askou's men are also in action next Saturday at 15:00, but they will be playing in the League Cup last eight at Aberdeen.

Where next?

Player of the match

T. Maswanhise
7.86
22 L. Graham
6.33
1 J. McCracken
6.22
3 C. Robertson
6.20
10 F. Robertson
5.90
20 C. Congreve
5.88
48 E. Hamilton
5.78
4 R. Astley
5.56
7 D. Wright
5.56
17 T. Yogane
5.44
15 S. Murray
5.33
21 Y. Dhanda
5.22
19 J. Westley
5.11
11 A. Hay
5.11
28 C. Jones
4.89
12 I. Samuels
4.78
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After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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