Scottish Premiership
DundeeDundee2HibernianHibernian4

Dundee 2-4 Hibernian: Visitors hold on in six-goal thriller

By Brian McLauchlinBBC Scotland at Dens Park

Paul Heckingbottom made it two wins from two as Hibernian boss as his side moved into the Scottish Premiership top six with victory over Dundee.

Florian Kamberi gave Hibs an unlikely advantage early on, only for Paul McGowan's deft finish to level.

Marc McNulty soon restored the visitors' lead with a tap-in, his second coming after the hour as Stevie Mallan's rasping shot made it four.

Martin Woods cut the deficit to two late on, but Hibs held firm.

Home substitute Kenny Miller twice had the ball in the net with Dundee chasing the game, but both efforts were ruled out for offside before Woods set up an exciting finale.

As Hibs leapfrog St Johnstone and Motherwell into sixth having played a game more, Dundee remain five points off bottom side St Mirren.

Hibernian show a ruthless streak

In the opening 20 minutes there was plenty passion shown by both teams but little cutting edge when it came to the final third.

Ryan McGowan was denied a penalty after going down under Mark Milligan's challenge at a corner. The Hibs midfielder had his arms around McGowan but referee John Beaton did not point to the spot.

The breakthrough was made after Kamberi muscled Genseric Kusunga off the ball and found the net with a fair amount of skill and power.

Kusunga will be more than disappointed with his lack of tenacity in the challenge with the Hibs striker.

Dundee responded brilliantly, though, with a magnificent comeback.

Scott Wright bullied his way past three Hibs defenders and clipped a delivery of sublime skill into the path of Paul McGowan who, with his back to goal and the outside of the foot, despatched the ball low into the corner.

However, as the cheers were still ringing around Dens Park from the home fans, Hibernian regained the lead.

As the Dundee defence dithered over a Hibs throw-in, Daryl Horgan was again allowed acres of space to fire the ball across the six-yard box where McNulty was waiting to tap home his third goal since joining the Easter Road outfit.

Dundee manager Jim McIntyre must have had some strong words for his players at the break as they came storming into the second half.

Only a wonderful save by Ofir Marciano from Andy Dales kept the hosts out as they fought for the equaliser.

Still, Hibs menaced on the break. Only a professional foul from Ryan McGowan prevented McNulty from playing Kamberi through on goal, and McNulty may have aimed a boot at the face of the Australian as he was brought tumbling to deck.

A crucial third goal for Heckingbottom's side doubled their lead. McNulty was at the forefront again. Mallan ghosted in from the left and thundered a shot that Seny Dieng could only parry into the path of the January signing, who bundled the ball into the net.

The influence of Mallan was becoming increasingly evident and the midfielder rounded off a brilliant performance with a stunning fourth.

There looked to be little to aim for from at least 25 yards out on the angle but the sheer pace on the ball from Mallan's effort was enough to catch out the Dundee stopper.

Miller twice found the net prior to Woods breathing life into Dundee, a superb one-two with Wright allowing him to shoot low into the bottom corner.

And in the final minutes, after dispossessing Milligan, Wright's knee connected with the head of the prone Hibs midfielder.

Paul McGowan
Paul McGowan, centre, scored a terrific equaliser for Dundee

Creative firepower crucial in Hibs win - analysis

There was much to like about this performance from Hibernian on what could have been a tricky night for the Leith side.

When you have both strikers in form you always have a chance and, in Kamberi and McNulty, Heckingbottom certainly has that. Between them, they have scored six goals in three games. Combine that with Mallan and Horgan and Hibs have no shortage of firepower.

Mallan, in particular, appears to have found his mojo once again and his eye for goal from distance would be an attribute for any team.

If there is one element that Heckingbottom will feel can be improved it must be at the back. Chances were handed to Dundee on a frequent basis throughout and the head coach will know there is work to be done.

McIntyre can have no qualms about the effort or desire shown by his players. On this evidence there is no doubt they can create the chances required to help them stay in the league but, like Hibernian, it's at the other end of the field where their problems may lie.

'It's a stonewall penalty' - reaction

Dundee manager Jim McIntyre: "We had some really poor individual errors and it's hard to recover from that.

"But there was a lot to be pleased about. The way we kept going, we're a different side from the one I inherited in terms of that spirit and never-say-die attitude and the quality as well."

Hibernian head coach Paul Heckingbottom: "We want to be positive and score goals. It actually made the game harder for us second-half, but I have to accept that consequence of the message - go and be positive, go and be brave.

"Whenever they put that effort in and give performances like that, I have to accept mistakes because I'm probably pushing them further than they're capable of, making them uncomfortable, but that's what it takes."

Line-ups

Dundee

Formation 4-4-2

  • 31Dieng
  • 29Horsfield
  • 15McGowanBooked at 48mins
  • 5Kusunga
  • 3Ralph
  • 17DalesSubstituted forO'Sullivanat 65'minutes
  • 18McGowanSubstituted forRobsonat 65'minutesBooked at 82mins
  • 4WoodsBooked at 56mins
  • 10Wright
  • 27Curran
  • 23CurranBooked at 51minsSubstituted forMillerat 56'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Kerr
  • 6O'Dea
  • 7O'Sullivan
  • 12Parish
  • 16Robson
  • 20Miller
  • 28Hadenius

Hibernian

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Marciano
  • 2Gray
  • 24McGregor
  • 4Hanlon
  • 16Stevenson
  • 7HorganSubstituted forOmeongaat 62'minutesBooked at 89mins
  • 5Milligan
  • 8Slivka
  • 14Mallan
  • 9McNultySubstituted forShawat 64'minutes
  • 22Kamberi

Substitutes

  • 18Nelom
  • 20Bigirimana
  • 31Bogdan
  • 32Shaw
  • 40Omeonga
  • 43Mackie
  • 49Allan
Referee:
John Beaton
Attendance:
6,450

Match Stats

Home TeamDundeeAway TeamHibernian
Possession
Home51%
Away49%
Shots
Home6
Away10
Shots on Target
Home5
Away8
Corners
Home5
Away2
Fouls
Home13
Away10

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Dundee 2, Hibernian 4.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Dundee 2, Hibernian 4.

  3. Post update

    Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Nathan Ralph.

  4. Booking

    Stephane Omeonga (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Stephane Omeonga (Hibernian).

  6. Post update

    Cammy Kerr (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Mark Milligan (Hibernian).

  8. Post update

    Scott Wright (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  9. Post update

    Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Darren McGregor.

  10. Post update

    Stephane Omeonga (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Martin Woods (Dundee).

  12. Booking

    Ethan Robson (Dundee) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  13. Goal!

    Goal! Dundee 2, Hibernian 4. Martin Woods (Dundee) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Scott Wright.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Lewis Stevenson (Hibernian).

  15. Post update

    Jesse Curran (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Florian Kamberi (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Martin Woods (Dundee).

  18. Post update

    Stephane Omeonga (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by James Horsfield (Dundee).

  20. Post update

    Stephane Omeonga (Hibernian) wins a free kick on the left wing.