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 dwelling, however they then wasted a lot of alternatives and paid the worth simply earlier than the hour mark as Tyreece John-Jules marked his new Kilmarnock deal by netting an equaliser.
Nonetheless, Youan restored Hibs’ benefit when he steered the ball into the online after dwelling 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 facet 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 put up was good for the unmarked Youan to look the ball again throughout purpose and into the underside nook.
Kilmarnock’s Tyreece John-Jules celebrates after scoring to make it 1-1
Barlaser was proving a relentless risk from set-piece conditions and, within the eleventh minute, it required a sensible cease from Oluwayemi to show the Englishman’s depraved free-kick away for a nook.
It was all one-way site visitors in the direction of the house purpose and Junior Hoilett despatched a strong effort simply large 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. An exquisite intricate passing transfer sliced open the Killie defence however Youan fired large with the purpose at his mercy.
Referee David Dickinson exhibits Kilmarnock’s David Watson a crimson card
John-Jules had a uncommon sighting of purpose 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 exceptional save to maintain out Barlaser’s stinging free-kick.
Hibernian’s Jamie McGrath celebrates after scoring a penalty to make it 3-1
Nonetheless, Hibs restored their benefit only one minute later. Oluwayemi may solely flip McGrath’s effort into the trail of Youan, who was completely poised to flick the ball dwelling.
The house facet had been lowered to 10 males after 82 minutes when Watson caught Barlaser with a nasty trying deal with. 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 flawed approach from the ensuing spot-kick and seal the factors for Hibs.
What the managers stated
Hibernian boss David Grey: “It has been a very good week. I feel over the piece we deserved it, it is a huge three factors and a large 9 factors over the course of the week – it is all the things you’d have hoped for,” Grey stated.
“This can be a actually troublesome place for us, I feel it is 2020 that we final got here right here and received.
“I believed we began very well, on the entrance foot, moved the ball effectively, some actually good passages of play on a troublesome floor – actual management within the sport and we completely deserved to be in entrance.
“Our high quality dropped within the second half. A few of that was right down to Kilmarnock, that they had a little bit of a response and had been extra aggressive, however huge credit score to the gamers for locating a approach to verify they discovered a strategy to get the three factors.”
Kilmarnock interim boss Kris Doolan: “I feel we began the second half the best way we need to begin video games. Within the first half, I did not really 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 sport, however we confirmed a whole lot of character to get us again within the sport.”
