Motherwell 0-2 Rangers: Philippe Clement’s side back to within two points of Celtic

Motherwell never looked like getting back into the contest and are now 15 games without a Scottish Premiership win. They remain second bottom, five points clear of Livingston.

Rangers got their business done early. Two early goals settled any nerves, while Motherwell gave themselves too big a mountain to climb to make it a contest.

Dowell’s effort was superbly taken. Rangers pressed high, the English midfielder robbed Harry Paton and finished with composure when he received the ball back in the box.

Cantwell’s finish was similarly cool. Ridvan Yilmaz’s cross bounced on the edge of the box, Sima chested the ball into the path of the former Norwich City man, who slotted for his first league goal of the season.

The visitors could, and should, have scored more. Dessers miskicked at the back post and Connor Goldson failed to follow up.

Motherwell keeper Kelly – in his 113th consecutive league game for the club – has been under fire in recent weeks but produced some fine saves to keep the score down.

Cantwell tried a speculative volley, with the Scotland cap tipping it onto the crossbar.

The second half wasn’t quite as easy for Clement’s side. Brodie Spencer put a header wide when he should have at least tested Jack Butland, and went down in the box under a challenge from Yilmaz. No penalty, right decision.

Rangers did find a way past Kelly in the second half, when Yilmaz scurried forward and slipped Dessers through on goal. The Nigerian forward finished well, but the flag was up.

He repeated the trick in the dying embers, showing good composure to round the keeper and tuck home. A look across, a wry smile, and an assistant’s flag flapping in the wind.