How one of Europe’s best defences has Motherwell in title mix

At the start of the season, it would have seemed almost preposterous to suggest it. Motherwell are in the mix to challenge for the Scottish Premiership title.

Whether manager Jens Berthel Askou wishes to acknowledge it or not, some things are undeniable for the team now within a point of third-placed Celtic in the league.

Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Dundee United marked their fourth clean sheet in a row as they moved a point behind the defending champions.

In attack, they have the league’s top scorer in Tawanda Maswanhise, and in Elijah Just arguably one of the country’s top performers this term.

However, their success is built around their defence.

They’ve conceded just 18 goals in 28 league games, fewer than any other team in the division and one of the best defensive records in Europe.

Only Italian side Roma (16), Portuguese outfits Porto (8), Sporting (12) and Benfica (13) and Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise (15) have conceded fewer goals across the continent’s top leagues.

During Saturday’s game at Fir Park, Dundee United had seven shots, three on target, but couldn’t score against a Motherwell defence who won 10 tackles and made six interceptions.

United opted for a man-marking approach in an effort to limit their hosts, and Askou was delighted with how his side were able to control the game in attack and defence.

“The defensive discipline gave us full control of the game that was, at times, quite lively,” he said.

“Big credit to the boys for going out and being extremely disciplined for one another.

Victory over Dundee United put Motherwell one point behind Celtic and three points off Rangers, before the Glasgow giants’ meeting at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Steelmen are 10 points off league leaders Hearts and have a game in hand.

Well have five games to play until the Scottish Premiership split. And that run is looking tricky.

They play their game in hand at Dundee next Saturday, before travelling to Celtic Park and then welcoming Hibernian. Their final two games before the split are a home game against Falkirk before a trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts.

Motherwell have already beaten Dundee, Celtic and Hibs this season but have also dropped points against all three. They’ve failed to beat Falkirk and Hearts but haven’t lost to either.

Celtic play their game in hand away to Aberdeen on Wednesday and travel to face Dundee United after their meeting with Motherwell. Martin O’Neill’s side also play Dundee away and St Mirren at home before the split.

After Sunday, Rangers are away to St Mirren, at home to Aberdeen and Dundee United and then on the road against Falkirk.

But Motherwell’s Askou has again played down any suggestion his side are in the mix for the Premiership trophy.

“What we are in the mix for is for you to discuss,” he said.

“We had a game today, we had to attack, we did that well and got a clean sheet and three points.

“It was a good game for us in terms of playing against man-for-man pressure and it didn’t stop us today.”