Tony Watt's shot sailed into the net and Benjamin Siegrist was powerless.
Motherwell swept aside Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership at a rain-drenched Fir Park, thanks to a Tony Watt strike.
Watt's first-time shot from the edge of the box flew into the top corner.
Kevin van Veen and Stephen O'Donnell should have made sure of the points in the second half.
Watt's ninth of the term was enough for the win despite Barry Maguire's late red card.
The points for Motherwell narrow the gap on United.
Reaction as it happened.
Motherwell received a taste of their own medicine on Saturday.
The recent victories against Aberdeen were meted out in a flurry of energy and purpose. They were blown away by a quick start from Dundee in a defeat at Dens.
The wind and rain made it difficult for United to deal with Graham Alexander's men.
Motherwell smothered their visitors from the beginning. Watt should have done better with a free head in the middle of the box. Maybe he was just finding his range.
He didn't miss. The ball trickled towards him on the angle at the edge of the box. Watt sent a shot over Benjamin Siegrist without thinking. Fir Park's held silence was shattered as the ball hit the far corner.
The opener caused a lot of pressure towards the goal. Slattery missed a chance when he should have done better, while United's defence creaked under Motherwell's pressure.
The visitors were not helped by the substitution of Nicky Clark before the break in an attempt to spark them into life.
Motherwell should have been out of sight by then. Van Veen tried to hit the penalty spot, but missed. When it looked like it was easier to hit the target, he'd fire wide.
Both sides struggled with the torrent of water as the game wore on, with the torrent saving both sides in defence with a host of sticking crosses and balls.
However, O'Donnell was left staring at the opening heavens as he tried to get a tap in at the back post.
At the death, United were pressing hard for an equalizing goal and they were given extra encouragement by the fact that Maguire had been sent off for a rash challenge on Ian Harkes.
Tony Watt was the man of the match.
Tony Watt was a colossus for Motherwell with his hold-up play and experience.
What did we learn?
When Motherwell clicks, do they click?
Alexander described the wins over Aberdeen and Hearts as some of the best of his tenure, but this one was the best.
Courts' side have earned plenty of praise this season but they just couldn't cope with Motherwell's intensity. Watt was a tormentor. He continues to show his trustworthiness for the Fir Park club. The former Scotland cap did a good job.
Courts will be alarmed by how impotent his side were. They did not lay a wet glove on Motherwell, who now have them in their sights in the league table.
It's only one win in six for United, with a big test against Celtic next.
What they said.
The players were great. On Saturday we learned a harsh lesson and today we were back to what we were before.
We had some great opportunities that we didn't take. We were looking for a clean sheet after Saturday.
Thomas Courts said that they were on the back foot.
We kept pushing, but it was all puffed up. We changed formation and made three replacements, we tried to make a difference. Motherwell was more than deserving of their win.
What's next?
Motherwell travel to face Hibs on Saturday, while United play Celtic on the same day.
Motherwell
Dundee United is a club.
Line-ups.
Match statistics.
Live text.
Formation 4-3-3.
5Mugabi21Solholm Johansen
1 Kelly.
5Mugabi
O'Donnell at 59' minutes.
4 Lamie.
The book was written at 77 minutes.
16Slattery.
The book was written at the end of the 84 minutes.
Booked at 77 minutes.
Woolery was substitute for Grimmshawat.
Substituted forCarroll at 84' minutes.
32 watt.
Substitutes.
2O'Donnell.
3Carroll.
12Fox
18Cornelius.
23Grimshaw.
28Roberts
29 shields
Formation 4-1-4-1
Freeman12Edwards4Mulgrew33McMann
8Pawlett23Harkes14Hoti7Niskanen
Siegrist.
22Freeman.
Edwards was the 12th person.
4Mulgrew.
Substituted for Sprleat for 75 minutes.
Glass substitute for Clark at 42 minutes.
8Pawlett.
23Harkes.
It was hotiBooked at 71 minutes.
Substituted forWatson at 57' minutes.
27Appéré
Substitutes.
3sprle.
10Clark.
lmers
Carson is a person.
28Smith.
30Watson
Meekison
Motherwell defeated Dundee United 0.
Motherwell defeated Dundee United in the second half.
An attempt was missed. Louis Appéré's headed ball from the centre of the box misses to the right. A cross was assisted by Adrin Sprle.
Florent Hoti of Dundee United had a foul.
Sean Goss won a free kick in the defensive half.
The attempt was blocked. Charlie Mulgrew's shot from more than 35 yards is blocked.
Ian Harkes won a free kick.
Foul by Ricki.
The attempt was saved. The right-footed shot from more than 35 yards was saved in the centre of the goal by the Dundee United player.
Ian Harkes of Dundee United had a foul.
The free kick was won by Slattery.
Motherwell, substitution. Kaiyne Woolery was replaced by Liam Grimshaw.
There is an attempt to get a ball into the hands of the Dundee United. Charlie Mulgrew tried a through ball, but Ryan Edwards caught it.
The right wing is where the free kick was won by Kieran.
Foul by Nathan McGinley.
Motherwell, substitution. Kevin van Veen was replaced by Jake Carroll.
The second yellow card was for a bad foul.
Ian Harkes won a free kick.
Foul by Barry Maguire.
The person is a Dundee United player, by the way.
