Motherwell manager Stuart McCall hailed the “outstanding” James McFadden after the recalled forward struck in a 5-1 victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
McFadden lobbed Scott Fox to claim his first Scottish Premiership goal of the season and put Motherwell 3-1 up at half-time and looked a rejuvenated player as Motherwell secured a fourth consecutive win.
The 30-year-old had not started since Motherwell’s Scottish Cup defeat by Albion Rovers last month, when he again looked below par on the right wing, and had not come off the bench in their previous two wins.
Some great skill and awareness set up Keith Lasley to fire the visitors level in the 15th minute after Steven Lawless had opened the scoring.
The former Everton player headed against the bar as Motherwell, who took the lead with a solo goal from Zaine Francis-Angol, threatened to run riot in the second half as substitute John Sutton and Lionel Ainsworth put the game well out of sight.
McCall, who played McFadden just off centre-forward Henri Anier, said: “We know Faddy would like to play in that position but when you have Sutton and Anier, who have formed such a good partnership…
“But today we felt we needed pace in wide areas to stay with their full-backs and it’s such a big park, we don’t want to play two up.
“Faddy playing in that area is probably his best position. How many times we play that way is there to be seen but I was delighted for him because he has worked hard.
“He made a goal for Lasley and you could see his old confidence. He hits the bar and could have had another one.”