High-flying Motherwell sit two points behind Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership after a comfortable win against struggling St Mirren.
Having dismantled Wilfried Nancy’s flailing Celtic side at Fir Park on Tuesday, the question was could Jens Berthel Askou’s impressive group back it up with victory against Saints, who beat them in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
The answer was a convincing yes.
The magnificent Tawanda Maswanhise picked up from where he left off before the Africa Cup of Nations, netting his ninth league goal of the season on his return for Motherwell.
Though he was at the heart of the celebrations, it was Elijah Just’s superb threaded, defence-splitting pass which set-up the deserved first-half finish.
It took the hosts – who have played a game more than the Old Firm – a bit of time to get to the levels which garnered so much praise against the reigning champions, but once ahead, they never looked back.
A dominant second-half showing was rubber-stamped by Elliot Watt’s wonderful strike just outside the box after a frantic phase in the area.
Stephen Robinson had asked his side pre-match to find the clinical edge which had evaded – and cost – them in recent weeks, but other than Dan Nlundulu’s early effort, the Buddies, who remain in 10th but now four points off Dundee following their derby win, could not break trouble the terrific Motherwell defence.
What a time for those in claret and amber.
The conversation around where Tuesday’s win ranks in all-time performances is far from over, though many can agree it’s certainly up there.
This one will not live quite as long in the memory, but it could prove to be a pivotal result in what is promising to be a special season.
The only blip in an otherwise fairly blemish-free season was that League Cup semi-final defeat by St Mirren. What felt an opportunity missed at the time would have been compounded further when the Saints strolled the final to scoop up silverware against Celtic.
There was to be no such blip today from a side who are a joy to watch.
From top to bottom, a strong case could be made for every player being the best of the bunch so it seems unfair to single any player or two out, but goalscorer Watt and Just were sensational against St Mirren.
Watt has three goals and an assist in his last four home league games, while Just has assisted four to go with some tremendous midfield play.
Much has been made about whether Motherwell will be able to keep a hold of Maswanhise, but surely Watt and Just will be equally in-demand.
Robinson has not hid St Mirren’s need for fresh faces, and as the game went on, that was evident.
The hosts were happy to welcome the Buddies into their half, in the knowledge little trouble would come their way.
With Dundee’s seismic win against United, the Saints are swimming in choppy waters with little to grasp at.
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: “There will probably be people around the country who think we are [in a title race]. It is not the conversation we are having at Motherwell.
“We are extremely ambitious, we want to see how far we can take it, but right now after 21 games we are in a position few expected. I want us to stay in this position and who knows, maybe we can reach out for even more.”
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: “That’s as poor a performance as we’ve put in all season. I didn’t think Motherwell needed to do a whole lot to win the game.
“They were clinical, they defended when they needed to, we didn’t. We didn’t do what we’re good at, we didn’t have a lot of crosses into the box.”
Motherwell travel to Hibernian next Saturday, 10 January (15:00 GMT), while St Mirren welcome Falkirk at the same time.
The Buddies, though, have a trip to Livingston on Tuesday, 6 January (19:45) first.
