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

ByCharlotte Cohen

BBC Sport Scotland

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.

Italians Como, defending Ligue 1 champions Paris St-Germain, Premier League leaders Arsenal, Bundesliga title holders Bayern Munich and Spain's Real Madrid have all conceded more league goals than Askou's side this season.

During Saturday's game at Fir Park, Dundee United had seven shots, three on target, but couldn't find a way past 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.

"We really deserved that clean sheet because we gave absolutely nothing away. We were on top of them, controlling the space in behind. It's great to see the players are just as hungry to keep a clean sheet and defend as they are going forward."

The victory over Dundee United leaves Motherwell one point behind Celtic and three points off Rangers before the latter two sides met at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Steelmen are also 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 then welcoming Hibernian. Their final two games before the split are a home game against Falkirk before a trip to Tynecastle to face leaders 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.

It's an intriguing run-in however, that, if Motherwell continue this formidable run of form, could thrust them right into the title mix.

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 manager Askou has once 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 added.

"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."

If Motherwell are to be serious contenders in this title fight, they'll have to make sure they maintain their stellar defensive record for a little bit longer.