Elie Youan scored twice as Hibernian claimed a 3-1 victory over troubled Kilmarnock within the Scottish Premiership at Rugby Park.
The Hibees took the lead after 5 minutes when Youan headed house, however they then wasted quite a few alternatives and paid the worth simply earlier than the hour mark as Tyreece John-Jules marked his new Kilmarnock deal by netting an equaliser.
Nevertheless, Youan restored Hibs’ benefit when he steered the ball into the online after house goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi had denied Jamie McGrath.
Additional distress adopted for the hosts when David Watson was proven a crimson card with eight minutes left, earlier than McGrath tucked away a penalty in stoppage time.
Kilmarnock stay second backside, 4 factors above basement aspect Livingston, whereas fifth-placed Hibs are actually simply 4 factors behind Celtic in second spot.
The impasse was damaged with the primary assault of the sport. Daniel Barlaser’s supply to the again publish was good for the unmarked Youan to look the ball again throughout aim and into the underside nook.
Barlaser was proving a relentless risk from set-piece conditions and, within the eleventh minute, it required a wise cease from Oluwayemi to show the Englishman’s depraved free-kick away for a nook.
It was all one-way site visitors in direction of the house aim and Junior Hoilett despatched a strong effort simply huge earlier than Kanayo Megwa’s strike was comfortably held by the keeper.
The guests ought to have doubled their benefit with seven minutes left within the first half. A beautiful intricate passing transfer sliced open the Killie defence however Youan fired huge with the aim at his mercy.
Referee David Dickinson exhibits Kilmarnock’s David Watson a crimson card
John-Jules had a uncommon sighting of aim for the hosts two minutes earlier than the break, although his shot was blocked by Hibs defender Warren O’Hara.
The Rugby Park males had been in determined want of a response, and there was some early promise as David Watson’s shot was deflected behind within the opening minute of the second half.
The leveller then arrived within the 57th minute. Dominic Thompson’s cross was not handled by the Hibs defence, and John-Jules acquired the higher of Grant Hanley earlier than prodding the ball to past Raphael Sallinger.
Killie had Oluwayemi to thank with 20 minutes remaining when he produced a outstanding save to maintain out Barlaser’s stinging free-kick.
Hibernian’s Jamie McGrath celebrates after scoring a penalty to make it 3-1
Nevertheless, Hibs restored their benefit only one minute later. Oluwayemi might solely flip McGrath’s effort into the trail of Youan, who was completely poised to flick the ball house.
The house aspect had been decreased to 10 males after 82 minutes when Watson caught Barlaser with a nasty wanting sort out. Referee David Dickinson confirmed little signal of hesitation as he flashed a crimson card the best way of the midfielder.
Within the first minute of stoppage time, McGrath was taken down by Thomson earlier than dusting himself right down to coolly ship the keeper the improper means from the ensuing spot-kick and seal the factors for Hibs.
What the managers stated
Hibernian boss David Grey: “It’s been a really good week. I think over the piece we deserved it, it’s a massive three points and a massive nine points over the course of the week – it’s everything you’d have hoped for,” Grey stated.
“This is a really difficult place for us, I think it’s 2020 that we last came here and won.
“I assumed we began rather well, on the entrance foot, moved the ball nicely, some actually good passages of play on a tough floor – actual management within the recreation and we totally deserved to be in entrance.
“Our quality dropped in the second half. Some of that was down to Kilmarnock, they had a bit of a reaction and were more aggressive, but massive credit to the players for finding a way to make sure they found a way to get the three points.”
Kilmarnock interim boss Kris Doolan: “I think we started the second half the way we want to start games. In the first half, I didn’t feel like we laid a glove on Hibs.
“It was simply unlucky we could not capitalise on the truth that we acquired ourselves again within the recreation, however we confirmed a variety of character to get us again within the recreation.”
