Motherwell and Hearts will both play out the remainder of the season in the bottom six of the William Hill Premiership after cancelling each other out in a tense 0-0 draw at Fir Park.
That result would have been enough for the Tynecastle side – who started the day in sixth place – to have remained in the top half until St Mirren’s 86th-minute winner against Ross County saw the Paisley side climb above them.
Hearts stepped things up a notch in the closing stages as they chased the winner they required, but the closest they went was an effort in the seventh minute of stoppage time from substitute Lawrence Shankland that ran agonisingly wide of the far post.
Neil Critchley and his players were jeered at full-time by a furious travelling supporters when their fate was confirmed.
Well – who had spent the majority of the season in the top six – also had a chance of scrambling back into it if they had beaten Hearts, although they would also have required St Mirren to slip up.
Fir Park boss Michael Wimmer made two changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Kilmarnock as Tawanda Maswanhise and Tony Watt replaced Kai Andrews and Luke Armstrong.
For Hearts, Musa Drammeh took over from the suspended James Wilson in an otherwise unchanged starting XI, although experienced defenders Stephen Kingsley and Frankie Kent were on the bench for the first time since recovering from injuries sustained in December.
The visitors had the first chance in the seventh minute when Elton Kabangu found himself clean through on goal after Drammeh had been tackled while driving into the Well half, but goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe raced out to save bravely at the feet of the Belgian.
Hearts should have gone ahead in the 18th minute after Kofi Balmer lost possession just outside his own box and Kabangu was able to deliver a cutback from the left, but Sander Kartum took a touch to set himself and then blasted over from a central position 15 yards out.
Shortly afterwards, Balmer limped off to be replaced by Australian defender Johnny Koutroumbis.
Midway through the half, news arrived of Ross County taking the lead against St Mirren and this temporarily roused both sets of supporters amid what was proving a predictably nervy encounter.
Well’s first notable attempt came in the 36th minute when Callum Slattery’s free-kick from just outside the box was deflected just wide, and seconds later Tony Watt fired an angled shot just beyond the far post from 16 yards out.
Hearts boss Critchley made two subs for the start of the second half as Cammy Devlin and captain Shankland were sent on in place of Kartum and Drammeh.
Events in Paisley ultimately meant the Edinburgh side needed a winner to get into the top six but although they seemed to be in the ascendancy in the closing stages, they were unable to muster the quality in the final third to get over the line.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
