Van is driving force as Steelmen steal show
Graham Alexander was thrilled with Motherwell’s win over Aberdeen and rubbished any suggestion the impressive Kevin Van Veen should have seen red.
The Dons were furious the influential Dutchman – who scored one and set up another – stayed on the pitch after a first-half booking.
Pittodrie gaffer Stephen Glass was booked by whistler John Beaton for protesting about a second-half challenge from Van Veen on Ross Mccrorie while Aberdeen number two Allan Russell was also sent off after the final whistle for confronting the whistler.
Alexander, though, was having none of it.
Beaton booked nine players – five from Motherwell and four from Aberdeen – while Tony Watt and Scott Brown also had a candid exchange at full-time.
“No chance (was it a red),” said Alexander with regards to Van Veen.
“There wasn’t a booking in there. I felt his yellow was harsh, although I can understand the ref telling him to calm down.
“There was nothing malicious out there, it was two competitive teams.
“Anyone who says Kevin deserved a red card is wrong. No chance.
“I didn’t think it was a particularly ill-tempered game. No tackles made me wince. It was just two teams wanting to win the game.”
Aberdeen’s frustration came down to the way Van Veen was allowed to run the show.
The 30-year-old netted his second goal for the Fir Park side midway through the opening half when Kaiyne Woolery’s perfectly weighted cross picked him out with his header going well beyond the reach of Joe Lewis.
Aberdeen had looked for an immediate response. Lewis Ferguson had an effort palmed over the bar by Liam Kelly after cutting inside while Calvin Ramsay, who had to go off in the second period because of cramp, also came close seven minutes before the break.
Van Veen was just as influential for Motherwell’s second. He sent in an inviting cross from the left that seemed to hang in the air to give Finnish defender Juhani Ojala all the time in the world to attack the ball and batter a header in off the underside of the bar.
Within a minute, Van Veen almost added a third when he curled in an audacious chip from the left that Lewis had to claw away.
There was another chance to kill the game off when Woolery couldn’t get a clean shot on a ball that flashed across the Aberdeen six-yard-box.
Aberdeen’s Marley Watkins had a long-range effort that was straight towards Kelly, with the Motherwell keeper repelling anything that came his way.
“Kevin deserved the reaction of the crowd but everyone in a Motherwell jersey deserved an ovation,” said Alexander.
“We know Kev’s quality in possession and we are working hard with him on pressing and shape out of possession.
“In terms of on the ball, we can’t give him anything – his ability is great to see.
“He produces on big occasions but we also want to see work off the ball and we are.
“Kev will get the plaudits because it was a great header and a great cross for the second.
“Aberdeen had a couple of chances but Liam Kelly handled them well.
“I will settle for 2-0. I like the two and I like the nil.
“We made life difficult for Aberdeen and both teams had chances.
“But our discipline and work ethic was incredible.
“We are delighted and that’s us got three wins and a draw in our last four league games.”