Motherwell 3-0 Inverness CT

Motherwell began their Scottish Premier League campaign with a comfortable victory over Inverness Caley Thistle.

Steven Hammell volleyed the Steelmen in front on 25 minutes and Jamie Murphy soon doubled the hosts' advantage with a cool finish.

Inverness twice hit the frame of the Well goal in the first half, with Richie Foran and Greg Tansey foiled.

And Motherwell rounded off their win with an excellent Keith Lasley strike on 77 minutes.

Murphy, understood to be the interest of Tottenham, Wolves, Stoke, West Brom and Birmingham scouts in the stand, was first to threaten after playing a one-two with Michael Higdon and slipping a shot wide.

Higdon's physical presence was proving to be a nuisance to Inverness and the big striker set up fellow summer signing Nicky Law for a shot, but the midfielder was off target.

The visitors came into the match and, after Gregory Tade fired over, Richie Foran struck the base of the Motherwell post from the edge of the box.

Tade then set up Foran for a shot that he could not keep down.

Stuart McCall's side regained the initiative and Chris Humphrey's cross was flicked on by Higdon to Hammell, who fired home with the aid of a post.

Murphy stretched Motherwell's lead after latching on to Law's incisive pass and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Ryan Esson.

The Highlanders searched for a route back into the match and Tansey's free-kick rattled Darren Randolph's goal before the midfielder was denied by the Motherwell keeper.

The second period was a more sedate affair, Law's shot over the top of the Inverness goal one of the few chances created.

Inverness defender Tom Aldred headed wide after venturing forward for a free kick and Shane Sutherland's volley from inside the Motherwell box was too high.

Murphy's pace and trickery continued to be a thorn in the visitors' side and the Scotland Under-21 international flashed a shot wide after tormenting Aldred.

However, it was from the boot of experienced midfielder Lasley that Motherwell put the seal on their win, the former Plymouth player finding the top left-hand corner from 30 yards.