‘Le God’ returns to Easter Road, but Porto is the saviour
HIBS 1
Porteous (67)
MOTHERWELL 0 Hibs fans hailed the return of “Le God” as Franck Sauzee made an appearance at Easter Road 20 years after leaving.
But in the end they were on their feet hailing Hibs prince Ryan Porteous after his brave secondhalf winner sealed the points against Motherwell.
Porteous, who needed treatment for a head knock he sustained in scoring, was also involved in Connor Shields being sent off after 57 minutes as Hibs played their fourth straight home game against opposition who had at least one man sent-off.
Hibs boss Lee Johnson said: “I thought our back four were fantastic.
“Paul Hanlon was outstanding as well and really showed his experience but the main man at the moment in terms of the limelight is Porto and the commitment and the bravery to score that goal, it was a helluva goal and I’m looking forward to watching it back.
“I think at the moment that epitomises him, committed, winning challenges and a goal threat as well in the box.
“I think he took a few whacks, he was on the floor a fair bit.
“I think he’s all right, I think he was playing the hero on that one!”
Asked about Porteous’ contract situation following talks with his representatives in midweek, Johnson added: “We have offered him a really good contract, a strong one.
“There is no immediate pressure from me for an answer but as we near January the screw has to turn on that a little bit.
“We think the right thing for Hibs is obviously securing Ryan and that’s why we’ve made such a strong offer but, if not, the world moves on and we’ll make sure we have a succession plan.”
The Hibs fans unfurled a banner that said “Le God returns” as they stood to their feet to applaud the return of Sauzee prior to the kick off.
In between signing autographs for supporters as he watched on from the directors’ box, the former France international would have been encouraged by what he saw on the pitch.
In a lively start the game swung from end to end but it was the hosts who looked more dangerous in the final third.
Martin Boyle got a shot away that was saved by Liam Kelly before Well defender Sondre Solholm Johansen made a goal-saving block to deny Ellie Youan. Boyle was denied again before Porteous’ hit a stinging freekick straight at Kelly on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors made a confident start to the second period but their attempts to take all three points from the games suffered a big setback when they were reduced to 10 men.
In a Hibs counterattack that saw the ball pinball around in the Motherwell half, Porteous eventually broke free but he was hauled down by Shields in a desperate last-man challenge.
The winger was given his marching orders and with their numerical advantage, Hibs went ahead ten minutes later through Porteous.
Boyle’s deflected cross fell for the defender and Porteous glanced a header into the far corner.
The newly capped Scotland defender took a sore head for his troubles after clashing with Solholm Johansen but both players were able to continue after receiving treatment.
Restoring parity was always going to be a tall order for the visitors but Sean Goss at least made David Marshall work with a low drive that the experienced goalkeeper did well to save at his near post.