Hibs record biggest league win over Aberdeen since 1957

Hibs produced their finest performance of the season this afternoon to record their biggest league win over Aberdeen since 1957.

Head Coach Jack Ross made two changes to the starting XI
that lost to Ross County in midweek with fans’ favourite Ofir Marciano
returning in place of Chris Maxwell whilst Vykintas Slivka made way for Stevie
Mallan.

Hibs started brightly and almost took the lead in the second
minute after Jason Naismith’s cross from the right was cleared into the path of
Mallan but the midfielder’s goal-bound strike was tipped round the post by Joe
Lewis.

The visitors fought back and Marciano demonstrated why he
was brought back into the team with a superb save from Sam Cosgrove.

Aberdeen should have opened the scoring after James Wilson
broke clear but Marciano produced a fine save which fell to Cosgrove then did
well to block the striker’s effort from close range.

Hibs continued to press forward but the Dons looked
dangerous on the break and Ryan Porteous made three superb interceptions to
keep the score level.

The referee incurred the wrath of both sets of supporters
and left the field at the break to a chorus of boos.

Hibs took the lead seven minutes after the restart when
Scott Allan threaded a sublime pass through the Don’s defence and Scott McKenna
lost the run of Martin Boyle, who calmly dribbled the ball past Lewis and
tapped it into the empty net.

Allan then showed his undoubted ability picking out Kamberi
and Boyle, who both had efforts from inside the penalty area.

Aberdeen made a triple change and moved to a back three but
moments later a tremendous pass from Florian Kamberi found Boyle who held off
the challenge of Andrew Considine and slipped the ball under Lewis to grab his
second of the day.

The home fans celebrated even though they were aware that
Hibs had lost two-goal leads at home three times this season but their nerves
disappeared when Kamberi cut in from the right and  beat three defenders before firing the ball
low into the bottom corner of the net, sparking wild scenes from three sides of
the stadium.

In the dying minutes, a fantastic tackle from Paul Hanlon on
Cosgrove ensured only the second clean sheet of the season.

The result sees Hibs consolidate sixth place in the table.

After the final whistle a delighted Ross told BBC Scotland:
“The calibre of the our goals were really good. Working on getting the
balance right is the key aspect for us, and we’re getting there.

“I hope they’ll take belief from today. We’re setting
standard in training and we’re setting them in games now.”

Hibs: Marciano, Naismith, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Hallberg, Boyle, Mallan, Allan, Kamberi, Doidge. Subs: Horgan, Slivka, James,
Jackson, Maxwell, Shaw, Murray.

Aberdeen: Lewis, Taylor, McKenna, Considine, Logan,
Ferguson, Vyner, Gallagher, Leigh, Cosgrove, Wilson. Subs: Devlin, Main,
Hedges, McLennan, Cerny, Campbell, Anderson.

Referee Colin Stevens

Attendance 16,767