Hibernian were once again on the wrong end of a late goal as Dundee United profited from a
Hibernian manager David Gray

Hibernian were once again on the wrong end of a late goal as Dundee United profited from a
a 90th minute penalty to leave Easter Road with a point a piece.

A curling Lewis Miller header had put them in front before the half hour mark as he met a pinpoint Jordan Obita cross. Both full backs were lively during the game, with Obita causing problems down United’s right hand
side. Hibs were in control for the majority of the game, looking assured in possession as Joe Newell
looked to dictate the tempo.

United took a more direct approach, Sam Dalby holding up the Hibernian centre backs well as the
wide players looked to get in behind Obita and Miller. The opener seemed an apt reward for their attacking efforts but Hibernain were now tasked with holding onto a lead for over an hour. For fans of the Edinburgh side, the memories of conceding two late goals in the reverse fixture less than a month ago would have a brought a sense of déjà vu.

Going into the second half, Jim Goodwin switched from his favoured back three to a four but his plans were soon hampered as substitute Kristijan Trapanovski suffered another hamstring setback and was forced off just twelve minutes after coming on. David Gray’s side had the lion’s share of chances but could not put the game to bed, Hyeokku Kwon unable to take advantage of United keeper Jack Walton straying too far off his line in. As full time approached, there was noticeable tension as Hibernian looked to avoid conceding yet another late goal.

On the 86th minute those fears became reality as a penalty was awarded after Mykola Kukharevych’s shirt pull on Emmanuel Adegboyega in the box was caught by VAR. The Ukrainian was awarded his second yellow of the game before Sam Dalby dispatched the spot kick to draw United level.

The result means Hibernian remain rooted at the foot of the table and are now winless in their last
six games. Dundee United meanwhile leapfrog Motherwell into fourth, sitting only three points behind
Rangers, albeit having played a game more than both.

Groundhog day at Easter Road

What do Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Hearts all have in common? This season, they have all taken points from Hibernian after the 85th minute. United have even done it twice in the past couple of weeks. Hibs fans will be wondering what it is they can do to remedy this habit of collapsing at the tail end of games.

If there are any positives to be taken from another missed opportunity it is that they had been dominant up for the majority of the game, although that will do little to quell the anger in the stands. Junior Hoilett and Obita combined well to create chances with the latter getting the assist for his side and defensively, Marvin Ekpiteta led a backline that looked resolute until the penalty.

Perhaps more difficult than planning how to break down a stubborn St. Mirren, David Gray will need to pick many heads up off the floor if they are to turn this season around.

What the manager’s said

Hibernian manager David Gray

“I think if the first one’s a penalty then the second one’s a penalty, I thought the players had done enough to win the game. Did we create enough chances to go out win the game and kill the game off? Yes that’s the message to the players, of course it is. We need to be more clinical.”

 

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin

“I don’t think the free kick should have been awarded albeit thereafter we need to switch on, they take it quickly, We made the changes at half time, it was nothing to do with the performance of Strain and Gallagher. We just had to make a change to try impose ourselves on Hibs a little bit higher up the park and I thought that paid off in the end.”