The visitors had the better of the opening stages, forcing a couple of saves from Yves Makaba-Makalambay in the Hibs goal.
On three minutes Steven McGarry had the first effort, but the big Belgian stopper pushed it away acrobatically. Then three minutes later a long-range shot by Stephen Hughes wasn't held, but Makaba-Makalambay saved well at the feet of Ross McCormack.
Hibs burst into life in the 20th minute, with Merouane Zemmama at the heart of things. After a quick one-two with Colin Nish, the little Moroccan burst into the box and forced a great stop from Graeme Smith. The rebound fell to Steven Fletcher, but Smith was equal to that too.
Seconds later Zemmama fired a free-kick from the angle which Smith had to palm away, and Hibs were not done there. A drop of the shoulder bought Felipe Morais some time, but the winger saw his powerful effort fly straight at the Well keeper.
The game began to flow from end to end, with some excellent play from both sides, just without the end product.
Chris Hogg did well to stop an attempted cut-back by McCormack from reaching its target and Hughes seemed to be everywhere for Motherwell making sure the Hibees couldn't get a shot away.
Well had a shout for a penalty in the opening minute of the second half, but the referee felt Ian Murray hadn't pushed McCormack.
The away side were almost reeling from that decision as John Rankin had a great chance from a Fletcher knock-back. The diminutive midfielder couldn't decide whether to head or volley the ball, and ended up tamely chesting the ball straight into Smith's gloves.
Hibs took the lead in the 52nd minute and when it came it was as cool a finish as you're likely to see. Nish picked up the ball and drifted inside, selling dummy after dummy to the visitors defence before calmly slotting past Smith.
Nish should have doubled the home side's advantage midway through the half. Zemmama timed his pass expertly to send the big striker free, but Smith did well to win the one-on-one encounter.
The home side were reduced to ten men in the 80th minute, after Murray received his second yellow for a foul on Hughes. However, Motherwell weren't able to capitalise on this advantage and Hibs held on for the win.