SAKALA HAUNTS FIR PARK ON HALLOWEEN
Spooked Motherwell fall to pieces despite early goal with leaders in frightening fettle
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OMENTUM can be easily lost but hard to gain. Just days after it appeared to swing away from Rangers, the champions regained it in the title race.
The drab draw with Aberdeen in midweek, coupled with Celtic’s victory over Hibernian, meant there was the possibility of Rangers losing top spot in the Premiership ahead of their trip to Fir Park.
But as it stands, they now enjoy a four-point lead. This victory over Motherwell was their biggest league win of the campaign, and one of their most accomplished.
This was an opportunity that Steven Gerrard’s side simply had to make the most of and they did so in impressive fashion. After Celtic stumbled on Saturday, Rangers stormed to victory here.
It did not all go to plan for Rangers, but their reaction in the face of adversity says much about their character as they responded to Bevis Mugabi’s early opener to extend their lead in the title race.
A Fashion Sakala hattrick was at the heart of the comeback. James Tavernier had started it and Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe added a shine to the scoreline that was more than merited.
For Motherwell manager Graham Alexander, there can only be frustration. His team had given themselves the perfect platform but could not build on it and they could have no complaints about the resounding defeat.
The pattern of conceding the first goal in matches is one Gerrard must get out of Rangers’ system sooner rather than later. Such a flaw is not conducive to a title challenge and the champions will undermine their defence if they continue to shoot themselves in the foot.
The damage here was selfinflicted once again. If the two goals conceded against Aberdeen in midweek were shambolic, this was just as farcical from a defensive point of view.
There should have been no danger to Rangers when Mugabi shelled an aimless ball the length of the park. Within seconds, the defender had given Motherwell the lead.
Tavernier and Connor Goldson did not communicate or take ownership of the situation, and a header from the latter was careless as a corner was conceded.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor made a terrific save to deny Sondre Solholm Johansen after he outmanoeuvred Leon Balogun with ease. It only delayed Motherwell’s moment, however, as Mugabi fired in from a tight angle to give the Steelmen the lead.
Once again, Rangers had it all to do. This was the ninth time this term that they have had to come from behind but the reaction on this occasion was positive.
It was perhaps ironic that the goals that put them on course for victory came from crosses – one from the left and one from the right – after such an approach proved fruitless for most of the first half.
The champions dominated possession and Motherwell could only stand firm for so long.
Liam Kelly had saved well from a Joe Aribo effort at the near post and then tipped a dipping drive from Alfredo Morelos to safety. The Colombian also headed over from a Tavernier corner.
There must have been a frustration amongst those seated in the away end, but Rangers did not look flustered as they stuck to their task and stuck to their approach. It was patient rather than desperate and they got their rewards in quick-fire fashion.
The first from Tavernier was excellent. A Calvin Bassey cross looked like a lost cause as
it looped from left to right but his captain was on hand just inside the area.
The finish was emphatic as he connected sweetly and guided the ball across Kelly with a pace and precision that left the Motherwell keeper helpless. The comeback had started.
Just seconds before the break, it was completed for Rangers and it was no more than they deserved on the balance of play since their early setback.
It was Tavernier who provided the ball in this time around and the cross was too good for the Motherwell defence as he picked out Sakala six yards from goal.
The Zambian had been a busy presence in the Rangers attack but had not carried enough of a goal threat. That changed when he found space between Mugabi and Stephen O’Donnell, and his header was clinical.
Having done the hard work, the challenge had now changed for Rangers. The game had to been seen out, and the lead extended if possible.
Just after the hour, the man who had given them the advantage would add to it. The
third goal made sure of the three points.
The opening stages of the half had been low key but Rangers were comfortable and it was Sakala who injected directness into proceedings.
He was allowed to cut in from the left and get a shot away from the edge of the area. A deflection off Sean Goss did not help Kelly’s cause and the keeper was beaten as Sakala doubled his tally.
Motherwell were deflated. When O’Donnell saw red for picking up a second yellow card, they were destined to be defeated.
The fourth goal that consolidated Rangers’ dominance arrived with 15 minutes remaining and had the home fans heading for the exits. They had seen enough at Fir Park.
Kamara was the scorer this
time. The shot again came from distance and Kelly was beaten to his right as the Finnish internationalist added a rare strike to his account.
There was still time for two more. The first from Sakala completed his hat-trick as he met an exquisite Steven Davis cross and converted on the slide at the back post.
It was substitute Roofe who had the final say. A Jack Simpson header was goalbound, but Roofe made sure with an opportunist finish from close range.
Rangers had emerged victorious out of adversity and a lead that could have been lost was extended thanks to a dominant display and emphatic victory.
Once again, Rangers have the momentum in the title race.
That is, after all, why they are champions.