Match ends, Motherwell 3, Aberdeen 0.
Motherwell comfortably beat Aberdeen to secure a place in the League Cup semi-finals where they will play Rangers.
An inventive flick by Louis Moult was helped into the net by the usually reliable Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
Lewis was at fault again when he allowed Peter Hartley's downward header to squeeze into the net.
Well's Allan Campbell hit both posts with a volley before Moult's superbly finished ninth of the season wrapped up a memorable night for the home fans.
It was Motherwell's fourth consecutive Fir Park win and they reach their first League Cup semi-final in seven years. Their tie against Rangers and the semi between Hibernian and Celtic will take place on 21 and 22 October.
Young midfielder Campbell set the tone for this match in the opening minute, hassling and pressing Aberdeen into conceding an early throw-in.
Much has been made of the 19-year-old's impressive, battling performances of late and his hounding was a hallmark of the hosts' play for the rest of the game.
Aberdeen did have one early chance before Motherwell took over - Gary Mackay-Steven's effort deflected wide by Chris Cadden after Ryan Christie's shot had been pushed away by goalkeeper Trevor Carson.
Soon after, the Steelmen were ahead. Kenny McLean lost out to Carl McHugh in the middle of the park, and the Irishman released Ryan Bowman, who skilfully located Moult for the unorthodox flicked finish.
Moult had his back to goal when he put the ball over his own head and it might not have even been heading towards goal when Lewis flapped it into his own net.
Motherwell doubled their lead when McLean conceded a free-kick out wide and Stevie Hammell curled in a lovely, deep delivery for Hartley to head in his first goal for the club. But Dons goalkeeper Lewis was at fault again - the downward header straight at him but somehow squirming through.
Cadden had been causing Mackay-Steven all sorts of problems down the Motherwell right and it caused Dons manager Derek McInnes enough concern to make a first-half substitution and tactical switch, with Adam Rooney replacing the former Celtic man.
Cadden and Bowman went close to making it three before the break and McInnes sent his men out five minutes early for the second half.
The flow of chances continued to be in Motherwell's favour as Moult had a shot blocked by Andy Considine then another beaten away by Lewis.
Rooney spurned a half-chance and, soon after, a goal-line clearance was required from Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie from another Hartley effort.
A superb solo run by Christie forced a great save from Carson as the large away support sensed a revival, but Motherwell hit the woodwork as Campbell's volley hit one post, rolled along the line and hit the other upright.
Motherwell did get their third, though, when Moult capitalised on Considine switching off to latch on to a long ball and lash the ball home from a tight angle.
Line-ups
Motherwell
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Carson
- 2Tait
- 21KipreBooked at 42mins
- 6Hartley
- 3HammellBooked at 59mins
- 7CaddenBooked at 77mins
- 8McHugh
- 22Campbell
- 15RoseSubstituted forGrimshawat 70'minutesBooked at 87mins
- 12BowmanSubstituted forFisherat 87'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 9MoultSubstituted forTannerat 90+2'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Grimshaw
- 5Bigirimana
- 11Frear
- 13Griffiths
- 14Plummer
- 17Fisher
- 27Tanner
Aberdeen
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Lewis
- 2Logan
- 5O'Connor
- 6ReynoldsSubstituted forArnasonat 52'minutes
- 4Considine
- 18BallSubstituted forTanseyat 67'minutes
- 22ChristieBooked at 88mins
- 7McLean
- 3Shinnie
- 11Mackay-StevenSubstituted forRooneyat 37'minutes
- 83May
Substitutes
- 8Stewart
- 9Rooney
- 10Maynard
- 14Arnason
- 15Wright
- 16Tansey
- 20Rogers
- Referee:
- Kevin Clancy
- Attendance:
- 6,430
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home5
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Motherwell 3, Aberdeen 0.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Craig Tanner replaces Louis Moult.
Post update
Louis Moult (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
Post update
Richard Tait (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Christie (Aberdeen).
Booking
Alex Fisher (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Alex Fisher (Motherwell).
Post update
Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Ryan Christie (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Richard Tait (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Christie (Aberdeen).
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Alex Fisher replaces Ryan Bowman.
Post update
Foul by Louis Moult (Motherwell).
Post update
Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Liam Grimshaw (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Goal!
Goal! Motherwell 3, Aberdeen 0. Louis Moult (Motherwell) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Chris Cadden.
Post update
Hand ball by Ryan Bowman (Motherwell).
Post update
Hand ball by Carl McHugh (Motherwell).