Dundee United’s dreams of retaining the Scottish Cup were blown away by a rampant Motherwell side at Fir Park.
Fans of the Lanarkshire club believe destiny is on their side in this year’s competition, given the fact the two clubs were drawn together 20 years on from their famous Family Final.
They may have a case if their performance in this quarter-final replay is anything to go by.
From United’s point of view, though, it was a crushing way to be parted with the trophy, and the emphatic scoreline was a fair one on a night when they were dominated from virtually the first minute to the last.
The occasion demanded their best and they produced their worst.
Jamie Murphy and Chris Humphrey sent ‘Well in 2-0 up at half-time and veteran striker Francis Jeffers completed the rout in the second half.
A stark assessment of the standard of United’s display was given by boss Peter Houston, who described it as “the worst since I took over as manager.”
He said, “It was that poor, and I include the 7-1 defeat to Rangers in that. The hungrier and more determined team won tonight. We just didn’t turn up and Motherwell wanted the semi-final place more.
“We’ve disappointed a big travelling support and we’ve now got a lot to do to make it up to them. We’ll have to put this defeat behind us.”
Stuart McCall, who now has a semi-final with St Johnstone to look forward to, said, “There will be no favourites. Both teams will believe they can get to the final.Outstanding”Tonight we were at the top of our game. It was an all-round team performance with three outstanding goals.”
Houston made three changes to the team that defeated Inverness Caley Thistle.
Morgaro Gomis was suspended, while Johnny Russell and Barry Douglas dropped to the bench, with Sean Dillon, Prince Buaben and Craig Conway coming in.
For Motherwell, Steven Saunders missed out through injury but Keith Lasley and Jeffers returned.
There was only a substitute place for club captain Stephen Craigan, who played for Northern Ireland on Tuesday night.
There was no straight from the gun opener for the home side as there had been in the original match at Tannadice, but it was a lively start from them, nonetheless.
The game’s first goal attempt came from Humphrey, who cut inside from his right wing beat and tried a left-foot shot to the far corner however, his effort didn’t trouble Dusan Pernis.
David Goodwillie drove into the box from the left and went down under a challenge from Shaun Hutchinson, with the two shoulder to shoulder. The United striker’s penalty appeal was dismissed by referee Calum Murray.
The Motherwell opener came on eight minutes when United’s defence was caught flat footed by a long ball.
John Sutton flicked the ball on and Murphy had time and space on the 18-yard line to take one touch, pick his spot and drill an unstoppable left-footer low past the left hand of Pernis.
The fired-up Steelmen nearly doubled their lead when Jeffers forced the Slovakian to turn his shot past the near post on 14 minutes.
The danger wasn’t yet averted. From Stevie Hammell’s corner Hutchinson rose highest and just missed the target with his header.
Scotland under-21 internationalist Murphy was a threat every time he picked up the ball, and was keen to try his luck at any opportunity.StandTwice within two minutes approaching the half-hour mark he stepped in from the left and let fly from outside the box. His first effort was gathered by Pernis and his second flew high into the stand.
Motherwell got their reward for a first half of absolute dominance with goal number two on 37 minutes.
Hammell crossed from the left for Sutton. The Englishman didn’t get the connection he was looking for but his header found its way to Humphrey beyond the back post, from where he lashed a shot high into the roof of the net.
Houston made an immediate substitution in an attempt to turn the tide, with David Robertson being replaced by Douglas. He slotted in at left back, Paul Dixon moved to the middle of defence and Jon Daly was sent up front.
On 41 minutes Darren Randolph made his first save of the tie, a comfortable catch from a Scott Robertson long-range effort.
United couldn’t do anything but improve after the restart and sure enough they began to mount some pressure.
Goodwillie went down in the box for the second time in the game on 55 minutes, this time from a Steve Jennings challenge, but again the referee was unconvinced.
This was as near as it got to a Tangerines revival, as on 63 minutes Jeffers put the match out of their reach.
The former Everton and Arsenal striker wasn’t pressed on the edge of the box and he finished clinically with a low right-foot shot.
Substitute Russell did well to surge to the byeline on 76 minutes but he couldn’t pick out a teammate with his cutback, and Scott Robertson had a 25-yard volley tipped over the bar in the last minute.
Dundee United chairman Steven Thompson said sorry to the 3500-plus supporters who followed the team to Fir Park.
He said, “I would like to apologise to the supporters. They were fantastic, but were let down.”Attendance 8337.Motherwell Randolph, Hateley, Hutchinson, Gunning, Hammell (Craigan 83), Humphrey (Jones 79), Jennings, Lasley, Murphy, Sutton, Jeffers (Forbes 75). Subs not used Hollis, Page.Dundee United Pernis, Watson, Daly, Dillon, Dixon, Swanson, Scott Robertson, Buaben (Shala 71), David Robertson (Douglas 37), Conway (Russell 68), Goodwillie. Subs not used Banks, Severin.Referee Calum Murray.The game’s first goal attempt came from Humphrey, who cut inside from his right wing beat and tried a left-foot shot to the far corner however, his effort didn’t trouble Dusan Pernis.
David Goodwillie drove into the box from the left and went down under a challenge from Shaun Hutchinson, with the two shoulder to shoulder. The United striker’s penalty appeal was dismissed by referee Calum Murray.
The Motherwell opener came on eight minutes when United’s defence was caught flat footed by a long ball.
John Sutton flicked the ball on and Murphy had time and space on the 18-yard line to take one touch, pick his spot and drill an unstoppable left-footer low past the left hand of Pernis.
The fired-up Steelmen nearly doubled their lead when Jeffers forced the Slovakian to turn his shot past the near post on 14 minutes.
The danger wasn’t yet averted. From Stevie Hammell’s corner Hutchinson rose highest and just missed the target with his header.
Scotland under-21 internationalist Murphy was a threat every time he picked up the ball, and was keen to try his luck at any opportunity.StandTwice within two minutes approaching the half-hour mark he stepped in from the left and let fly from outside the box. His first effort was gathered by Pernis and his second flew high into the stand.
Motherwell got their reward for a first half of absolute dominance with goal number two on 37 minutes.
Hammell crossed from the left for Sutton. The Englishman didn’t get the connection he was looking for but his header found its way to Humphrey beyond the back post, from where he lashed a shot high into the roof of the net.
Houston made an immediate substitution in an attempt to turn the tide, with David Robertson being replaced by Douglas. He slotted in at left back, Paul Dixon moved to the middle of defence and Jon Daly was sent up front.
On 41 minutes Darren Randolph made his first save of the tie, a comfortable catch from a Scott Robertson long-range effort.
United couldn’t do anything but improve after the restart and sure enough they began to mount some pressure.
Goodwillie went down in the box for the second time in the game on 55 minutes, this time from a Steve Jennings challenge, but again the referee was unconvinced.
This was as near as it got to a Tangerines revival, as on 63 minutes Jeffers put the match out of their reach.
The former Everton and Arsenal striker wasn’t pressed on the edge of the box and he finished clinically with a low right-foot shot.
Substitute Russell did well to surge to the byeline on 76 minutes but he couldn’t pick out a teammate with his cutback, and Scott Robertson had a 25-yard volley tipped over the bar in the last minute.
Dundee United chairman Steven Thompson said sorry to the 3500-plus supporters who followed the team to Fir Park.
He said, “I would like to apologise to the supporters. They were fantastic, but were let down.”Attendance 8337.Motherwell Randolph, Hateley, Hutchinson, Gunning, Hammell (Craigan 83), Humphrey (Jones 79), Jennings, Lasley, Murphy, Sutton, Jeffers (Forbes 75). Subs not used Hollis, Page.Dundee United Pernis, Watson, Daly, Dillon, Dixon, Swanson, Scott Robertson, Buaben (Shala 71), David Robertson (Douglas 37), Conway (Russell 68), Goodwillie. Subs not used Banks, Severin.Referee Calum Murray.