Hibernian 3-0 Kilmarnock

Elding (1′)  Passlack (12′) Suto (90+3′)

A strike after just 13 seconds spurred Hibernian to a home victory over Kilmarnock, as they returned from the international break to close the gap on Motherwell to three points in the European spots of the Scottish Premiership.

The hosts made a dream start with barely a second on the clock. Owen Elding repaid his manager’s faith to slide under Kelle Roos in the box after a marauding forward run by Felix Passlack.

The lead became two after twelve minutes. Elding, playing with such swagger, released Jordan Obita through on goal after spinning on the halfway line. Roos attempted to close the angle, but the wingback squared to Passlack, who rolled home.

David Gray’s side was so sharp and showcased a conviction that has been lacking in a somewhat inconsistent season. With news of Barney Stewart’s headed opener filtering through the stands, Hibs looked destined to close the gap on Motherwell to three points.

Kilmarnock thought they had established a foothold in the game with their first chance of the match. Brad Lyons collected a rebounded ball on the byline and slid across the box for Findlay Curtis to sidefoot home. But after a lengthy VAR check, Lyons was adjudged to be standing offside, and the goal was swiftly ruled out.

Neil McCann’s side closed out the first half better than they started, but struggled to penetrate the Hibs back three. The hosts’ swashbuckling opening 15 minutes was the difference in the Capital.

The visitors started the second half positively. Curtis did unbelievably well to beat Chaiwa in the corner, but his back-post cross was cleared. The next goal felt critical in this crunch encounter.

The winger scored his first Kilmarnock goal against Livingston 2 weeks ago, and seemed to be McCann’s best outlet for drawing level.

Kiltie tested Raphael Sallinger with a speculative from twenty yards as the visitors continued to press. Hibs looked comfortable, but Gray would hope his side could find a third and kill the game.

Kilmarnock continued to dominate the ball to no great avail. McCann would have been disappointed with his side’s efforts to create clear-cut chances in a mediocre second half.

Hibs rounded out the scoring with seconds to play. Substitutes Martin Boyle and Ante Suto combined, the latter rolled past Roos to finish a productive afternoon for the hosts.

Gray’s men move just three points behind Motherwell with just six games remaining. But for Kilmarnock, lessons to be learned for McCann’s side, who remain rooted in the relegation playoff spot.

Hibernian: Sallinger 7 Hanley 8 O’Hora 7 Iredale 7 Passlack 7 Obita 7 Barlaser 7 McGrath 7 Chaiwa 8 Scarlett 7 Elding 8

Substitutes: Newell 6 Suto 6 Andrews 6 Boyle 3 Campbell 3

Kilmarnock: Roos 6 Stanger 6 Brandon 6 Deas 6 Schjonning-Larsen 6 Tshibola 6 Polwarth 4 Lyons 4 Kiltie 6 Curtis 7 Hugill 5

Substitutes: Watson 6 Watkins 6 Thompson 5 Anderson 2 Thomson 2