Digressive Celts

Matches › 2021/22

Motherwell 2–0 St. Johnstone

Saturday 18 December 2021, 15:00 · Fir Park · Round 19 · Half-time 1–0 · Attendance 3,920

Motherwell Cornelius 17', van Veen 55'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
Goals20
xG0.310.52
Expected Points1.001.46

Motherwell 15%Draw 54%St. Johnstone 31%

Most likely score 0–0, 45%. Final score 2–0, 2%.

St. Johnstone goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+23%5%13%9%2%2%1%45%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.250.50.750153045607590HTShields on for van Veen, 75'Carroll on for Watt, 82'Roberts on for Woolery, 88'Butterfield on for Brown, 57'O'Halloran on for Craig, 67'Cornelius 17'van Veen 55'St. Johnstone 0.52Motherwell 0.3100.250.50.750153045607590HTShields on for van Veen, 75'Carroll on for Watt, 82'Roberts on for Woolery, 88'Butterfield on for Brown, 57'O'Halloran on for Craig, 67'Cornelius 17'van Veen 55'0.520.31MotherwellSt. Johnstone

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Stoppage time is shaded as far as the last shot or event recorded in it. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

MotherwellSt. Johnstone

0.31 −0.78xG0.52 −0.16
0.57 −0.70xG on target0.14 −0.43
7 −3.1Shots9 +0.2
2 −1.6Shots on target1 −1.4
0 −1.7Big chances0 −0.6
18 0Touches in the opposition box16 +2
42% +3Possession58% +16
323 +40Passes449 +122
52% −9Pass accuracy68% +4
44% +12Field tilt56% +16
40 +15Final-third entries45 +17
9 +1.4Box entries7 −0.5
16.0 +3Passes per defensive action16.0 0
7 +3.0Corners4 −0.6
12 −2Tackles17 +3
10 −2Interceptions11 +1
32 +7Clearances31 +8
1 −3.3Saves0 −3.3
12 −4Fouls12 0
1 −0.9Offsides1 −0.5

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one. Field tilt is each side's share of the open-play passes completed in the final third; entries are completed open-play passes and carries into the final third and the box; passes per defensive action (PPDA) counts the opponent's passes in its own 60% of the pitch for each tackle, interception, challenge, or foul there.

Chance locations

Motherwell

Goss 63', 0.05 xGvan Veen 23', 0.02 xGO'Donnell 24', 0.02 xGvan Veen 29', 0.02 xGCornelius 81', 0.02 xGCornelius 17', 0.09 xG, goalvan Veen 55', 0.08 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals26%0.08 xGCentral box: 1 shot, 0.08 xG, 1 goal32%0.10 xGWide in the box: 3 shots, 0.10 xG, 0 goals35%0.11 xGEdge of the box: 2 shots, 0.11 xG, 1 goal6%0.02 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.02 xG, 0 goals

St. Johnstone

Middleton 25', 0.19 xGMay 50', 0.12 xGMiddleton 26', 0.05 xGBooth 69', 0.05 xGGordon 70', 0.03 xGRooney 90+4', 0.03 xGCraig 33', 0.02 xGBryson 70', 0.02 xGMay 54', 0.01 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals29%0.15 xGCentral box: 2 shots, 0.15 xG, 0 goals56%0.29 xGWide in the box: 3 shots, 0.29 xG, 0 goals13%0.07 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.07 xG, 0 goals2%0.01 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.01 xG, 0 goals

Each area's share of the side's xG from open play and set pieces, with the xG in it. The two wide areas of the box count together, as on the club pages. Shots shows each of those shots instead, sized by its xG, with goals filled in.

Chance types

MotherwellSt. Johnstone

0.24 5 shots, 2 goalsOpen play0.47 7 shots, 0 goals
0.07 2 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.06 2 shots, 0 goals

xG by type of chance, with each side's shots and goals beside it.

Game state

Level
17 min (18%) · Motherwell 0.09, St. Johnstone 0.00 xG
Motherwell ahead
77 min (82%) · Motherwell 0.21, St. Johnstone 0.53 xG

Line-ups

12521191822277932KellyO'DonnellMugabiJohansenMcGinleyCorneliusDonnellyGossWooleryvan VeenWattGoalYellow cardGoal88'75'82'Motherwell 4-3-3Graham Alexander12641913262414277ClarkBrownGordonMcCartRooneyBrysonCraigBoothMiddletonSolomon-OtaborMay57'67'St. Johnstone 3-4-2-1Callum Davidson

Motherwell substitutes

  • 75' Shields for van Veen
  • 82' Carroll for Watt
  • 88' Roberts for Woolery

St. Johnstone substitutes

  • 57' Butterfield for Brown
  • 67' O'Halloran for Craig

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
KellyGK900.000.0000.0111
O'DonnellRB900.020.1300.2996
MugabiCB900.000.0000.0228
JohansenCB9010.000.0110.04211
McGinleyLB900.000.0000.0325
CorneliusCM9010.110.020−0.0122
DonnellyCM900.000.0910.0649
Goss CM900.050.1900.0667
WooleryRW880.000.0510.1031
van VeenST7510.120.0100.1324
WattLW820.000.0500.0631
ShieldsMF150.000.0000.0110
CarrollDF80.000.0000.0113
RobertsFW20.000.000––0

St. Johnstone

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
ClarkGK900.000.0000.0001
BrownCB570.000.0000.0225
GordonCB900.030.0000.02312
McCartCB900.000.0000.06217
RooneyRWB900.030.0100.0987
BrysonCM900.020.0410.0334
CraigCM670.020.0210.0213
BoothLWB900.050.1210.29116
MiddletonAM900.240.010−0.0130
Solomon-OtaborAM900.000.0410.0251
MayST900.130.2120.1132
ButterfieldMF330.000.0500.0121
O'HalloranMF230.000.0000.0222

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions). xT is the expected threat added by the player's completed open-play passes and carries, and Prog counts progressive passes and carries.

Pass networks

Motherwell

O'Donnell and Johansen: 3 passesO'Donnell and van Veen: 3 passesO'Donnell and Watt: 3 passesJohansen and Mugabi: 3 passesJohansen and McGinley: 3 passesJohansen and Goss: 3 passesCornelius and Donnelly: 3 passesDonnelly and Woolery: 3 passesO'Donnell and Cornelius: 4 passesJohansen and Woolery: 4 passesGoss and van Veen: 4 passesWoolery and van Veen: 4 passesO'Donnell and Donnelly: 5 passesCornelius and van Veen: 5 passesDonnelly and van Veen: 5 passesWoolery and Watt: 5 passesO'Donnell and Woolery: 6 passesMcGinley and Donnelly: 6 passesGoss and Donnelly: 6 passesCornelius and Woolery: 7 passesvan Veen and Watt: 7 passesDonnelly and Watt: 8 passesMcGinley and Watt: 9 passesGoss and Watt: 10 passesMcGinley and Goss: 12 passesKelly: 1 completed passesO'Donnell: 16 completed passesJohansen: 12 completed passesMugabi: 7 completed passesMcGinley: 21 completed passesGoss: 21 completed passesCornelius: 15 completed passesDonnelly: 24 completed passesWoolery: 16 completed passesvan Veen: 9 completed passesWatt: 16 completed passes12215192718227932KellyO'DonnellJohansenMugabiMcGinleyGossCorneliusDonnellyWooleryvan VeenWattStarters until 75' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

St. Johnstone

Clark and McCart: 3 passesClark and Booth: 3 passesGordon and McCart: 3 passesGordon and Rooney: 3 passesCraig and May: 3 passesGordon and Bryson: 4 passesMcCart and May: 4 passesRooney and Booth: 4 passesRooney and Craig: 4 passesRooney and May: 4 passesBooth and Bryson: 4 passesCraig and Middleton: 5 passesRooney and Middleton: 6 passesBooth and May: 6 passesBrown and Bryson: 7 passesBrown and Rooney: 9 passesBooth and Craig: 10 passesMcCart and Booth: 11 passesRooney and Bryson: 12 passesBooth and Solomon-Otabor: 22 passesClark: 7 completed passesBrown: 15 completed passesGordon: 9 completed passesMcCart: 16 completed passesRooney: 22 completed passesBooth: 35 completed passesCraig: 15 completed passesBryson: 19 completed passesSolomon-Otabor: 12 completed passesMiddleton: 5 completed passesMay: 10 completed passes12641924261327147ClarkBrownGordonMcCartRooneyBoothCraigBrysonSolomon-OtaborMiddletonMayStarters until 57' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Each starter at the average position of their passes and receptions until the side's first substitution or red card, sized by completed passes. Lines join pairs who passed to each other often, thicker for more passes.

Passing combinations

Motherwell

FromToPasses
McGinleyGoss9
McGinleyWatt8
GossMcGinley6
GossWatt6
O'DonnellWoolery5

St. Johnstone

FromToPasses
BoothSolomon-Otabor18
McCartBooth15
BoothMay11
BoothMcCart10
Solomon-OtaborBooth9

The five pairs with the most completed passes from one to the other over the whole match.

Defensive actions

Motherwell

4−0.24−2.617−2.813+6.15−0.89+3.06−0.16−0.212+4.310+1.911+6.12−2.81−2.88+3.17+0.97+3.05+1.81−1.66+2.79+5.13−0.63+1.80−1.15+2.87+4.30−1.01+0.71+0.30−0.81+0.5FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 18 matches

St. Johnstone

12+6.37−0.118+4.313+7.53−1.713+6.114+6.64−2.36−2.46−1.411+4.98+2.84+0.35−0.46+0.76+2.25+1.11−1.41−1.63−1.44+1.41−1.10−0.50−1.81−0.71−0.10−0.82+1.20−0.30−0.8FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 17 matches

Where each side made its tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, recoveries, challenges, and fouls, attacking up the page. Areas are shaded by the difference from the side's average per match this season before this one: amber for more, blue for fewer.

Threat

Motherwell

0.010.010.010.010.020.010.040.050.010.040.030.030.020.080.01−0.03−0.010.040.01−0.020.010.230.21LessMore

St. Johnstone

0.010.010.020.010.010.06−0.010.050.030.050.050.010.020.020.060.01−0.02−0.030.02−0.010.050.030.21LessMore

Expected threat added by completed open-play passes and carries, by where the move started, attacking up the page. Expected threat is the chance that possession in an area leads to a goal; a move adds the difference between where it ends and where it starts.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.17AttackMotherwell1.03 → 1.02St. Johnstone0.88 → 0.86Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.37 → 1.34St. Johnstone1.10 → 1.09

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday (ring) and after it (dot); a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs after the matchday, spread up and down only so they don't overlap. The change takes in the whole matchday.

League probabilities

ChanceBeforeWith this resultChange
Motherwell
Top six62%73%+11
11th2%1%−1
Bottom1%<1%−1
St. Johnstone
Top six6%2%−4
11th19%22%+3
Bottom15%20%+5
Dundee United
Top six39%37%−2
11th4%4%0
Bottom2%1%−1
Dundee FC
Top six3%2%−1
Bottom34%32%−2

From the forecast before the match (18 December 2021): each chance then, and across the simulations in which the match ended this way. The change is in percentage points.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
Expected goals1.090.99
Win37%32%
Expected Points1.421.27
Clean sheet37%34%

Motherwell 37%Draw 31%St. Johnstone 32%

Most likely score 1–1, 14%. Both sides score 42%.

St. Johnstone goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+6%2%7%2%7%7%4%1%3%3%1%13%12%13%14%

From the forecast as it stood on 18 December 2021: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowMotherwell winDrawSt. Johnstone win
Motherwell
Top six62%73%61%50%
11th2%1%2%4%
Bottom1%<1%1%1%
St. Johnstone
Top six6%2%5%10%
11th19%22%19%15%
Bottom15%20%16%9%
Dundee United
Top six39%37%41%41%
11th4%4%4%5%
Bottom2%1%2%2%
Dundee FC
Top six3%2%3%3%
Bottom34%32%34%36%

Each chance before the match and across the simulations ending in each result. Other teams are listed where a chance moves by at least 3 percentage points.

Form

Motherwell

  1. L0–112 DecCeltic (A)xG 0.75–2.45
  2. D1–14 DecHibernian (A)xG 1.32–1.89
  3. W1–030 NovDundee United (H)xG 1.72–0.31
  4. L0–327 NovDundee FC (A)xG 0.61–1.69
  5. W2–020 NovHearts (H)xG 2.16–0.30
  6. W2–06 NovAberdeen (A)xG 0.47–0.94

St. Johnstone

  1. L0–215 DecRangers (A)xG 0.30–1.90
  2. L0–111 DecAberdeen (H)xG 0.21–0.77
  3. L0–11 DecDundee FC (A)xG 0.34–1.01
  4. L1–227 NovHibernian (H)xG 0.12–2.27
  5. D0–06 NovSt. Mirren (H)xG 0.18–0.76
  6. W1–030 OctDundee United (A)xG 0.33–1.84

The last six league matches, newest first, with xG for and against.

Season to date

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
Position5th12th
Played1817
Won, drawn, lost7–⁠4–⁠73–⁠5–⁠9
Points25 (1.39 per game)14 (0.82 per game)
Expected Points per game1.080.90
Goals21–⁠269–⁠18
xG per game1.09–⁠1.550.68–⁠1.35
Home: points, xG per game1.78, 1.08–⁠1.500.67, 0.82–⁠1.22
Away: points, xG per game1.00, 1.10–⁠1.601.00, 0.52–⁠1.49
ManagerGraham Alexander (36)Callum Davidson (55)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.17AttackMotherwell1.03, 6thSt. Johnstone0.88, 11thDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.37, 10thSt. Johnstone1.10, 5th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0AugSepOctNovDecMotherwell attack: 1.03St. Johnstone attack: 0.881.030.88St. JohnstoneMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0AugSepOctNovDecMotherwell defence: 1.37St. Johnstone defence: 1.101.371.10

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday, with their rank among the league's clubs; a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs, spread up and down only so they don't overlap.

Strengths and weaknesses

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−20%+25%−48%−5%
Counter-attacks−31%−58%−66%+149%
Set pieces+15%+25%−29%+16%
Penalties−18%+64%−57%+30%
Headers+40%+6%−60%+14%
Left side−5%+39%−28%+2%
Centre+3%+9%−52%+13%
Right side−45%+30%−43%−2%

xG created and conceded per game against the league average this season: +24% is 24% more than an average side. Left and right are each side's own, so chances conceded on its left come from opponents attacking down their right. Green favours the side and amber doesn't.

Matchups

Motherwell attacking

Motherwell createdSt. Johnstone concededLeft side−5%−2%Centre+3%+13%Right side−45%+2%Open play−20%−5%Counter-attacks−31%+149%Set pieces+15%+16%Headers+40%+14%

St. Johnstone attacking

St. Johnstone createdMotherwell concededLeft side−28%+30%Centre−52%+9%Right side−43%+39%Open play−48%+25%Counter-attacks−66%−58%Set pieces−29%+25%Headers−60%+6%

Each side's xG created per game down each side of the pitch, through the centre, and from each type of chance, against what its opponent concedes there, both relative to the league average.

Season averages

MotherwellSt. Johnstone

1.09xG0.68
1.55xG against1.35
39%Possession42%
10.1Shots8.8
16.3Shots against14.2
3.6Shots on target2.4
1.7Big chances0.6
17.6Touches in the opposition box14.4
283Passes327
62%Pass accuracy64%
4.0Corners4.6
32%Field tilt40%
24.8Final-third entries28.3
7.6Box entries7.5
13.4Passes per defensive action16.0

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level361.081.65
Ahead251.101.38
Behind291.091.58

St. Johnstone

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level560.611.12
Ahead160.921.78
Behind190.671.65

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.150.234–2
16–300.150.223–5
31–450.110.201–8
46–600.280.307–3
61–750.230.243–4
76–900.170.363–4

St. Johnstone

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.110.151–1
16–300.050.111–1
31–450.110.204–4
46–600.100.282–3
61–750.170.230–3
76–900.130.381–6

Per game this season, with stoppage time counted in its half; goals are totals for and against.

Most used players by position

Motherwell

GKRBCBCBLBCMCMCMRWSTLWKelly 18O'Donnell 11Mugabi 7Mugabi 9Johansen 7Ojala 10Lamie 9Carroll 1McGinley 14Carroll 4Grimshaw 10Slattery 17Maguire 7Donnelly 2Goss 9O'Hara 8Woolery 13Roberts 3Amaluzor 2van Veen 7Watt 7Shields 4Watt 10van Veen 4Woolery 34-3-3 in every start

St. Johnstone

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBAMAMSTClark 17Muller 7Brown 4Rooney 3Gordon 10Ambrose 4Kerr 3McCart 16Rooney 10O'Halloran 4Brown 2Bryson 5MacPherson 5Wotherspoon 4Craig 8Davidson 4Crawford 2Booth 13Devine 4Crawford 7Middleton 5Davidson 3O'Halloran 5Wotherspoon 5Kane 4Kane 8May 4O'Halloran 23-4-2-1 in 8 of 17 starts

Formations: 3-4-2-1 (8), 3-5-2 (3), 3-4-1-2 (2), 3-4-3 (2), 5-3-2 (2)

This season's most used formation, with up to three players who started most often in each position and their league starts there. Underneath, when a side has used more than one, every formation with its starts.

Head to head

DateHomeAwayxG
8 August 2021St. Johnstone1–1MotherwellxG 0.80–1.67
20 February 2021Motherwell0–3St. JohnstonexG 0.03–3.04
21 November 2020St. Johnstone1–1MotherwellxG 2.14–0.69
12 September 2020Motherwell1–0St. JohnstonexG 0.26–1.02

4 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 1, St. Johnstone won 1, and 2 were drawn. Goals 3–5 and xG 0.66–1.75 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Watt171,516900.370.06
van Veen111,031410.290.11
Woolery161,300110.210.06
Goss9842040.050.18

St. Johnstone

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
May6624210.250.12
Kane121,104200.210.02
Middleton7580000.150.07
Craig8759000.100.06

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes.