Martin Boyle scores for Hibernian against DundeeImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Martin Boyle's third goal of the season gave Hibs a first-half advantage

At a glance

  • Boyle & Wright secure second Premiership win of season for Hibs

  • Westley consolation for Dundee

  • Game comes before midweek home derbies for both sides

ByAndy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Hibernian soothed their midweek European blues with a deserved Scottish Premiership win over Dundee at Dens Park.

Knocked out of the Conference League by play-off opponents Gent after a late own goal on Thursday, Hibs asserted themselves in the Tayside rain.

Martin Boyle's composed finish after Grant Hanley's through ball brought a deserved lead, then a similar chance for Boyle before half-time went begging as he dinked wide.

However, Callum Wright finished well after a terrific run and cross from Felix Passlack to put the seal on victory for the visitors just beyond the hour.

Dundee rarely troubled Raphael Sallinger's goal and could have fallen further behind.

The hosts did register a consolation goal late on. Ethan Hamilton's potent free-kick was turned against the crossbar and Joe Westley forced in the rebound with his head.

Hibs analysis: Dominant display a pre-derby boost

Hibs showed few signs of their midweek exertions early on, either physically or emotionally.

They had control of the game and plenty of possession in attacking areas.

Their frustration was in the final shot or pass, Nathan Lowe unable to get enough purchase on a header and Boyle unsuccessful with a couple of attempts before he stayed onside to take the Hanley pass and score.

He should have done the same a few minutes before half-time after going through again, electing to chip and watching it bounce wide.

The second goal better reflected Hibs' dominance and McGrath and Passlack threatened to take the game out of sight before the Westley goal.

David Gray's side will need the same attacking impetus when they host Edinburgh rivals Hearts on Thursday (19:45 BST) - but will probably have to be much more ruthless in front of goal against last season's Scottish Premiership runners-up.

Dundee analysis: Pressley's men struggle to hit recent heights

Short of Bradley Fink's shot wide, it was a wretched first half for Steven Pressley's hosts.

There was improvement in the second, with Joe Bevan's delivery deflecting right across the face of goal, forcing Passlack to clear, and Hamilton testing goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger at 2-0 down.

Getting Bevan on the ball more helped Dundee, but they could not recapture the attacking intent of their recent wins over Aberdeen and Dundee United.

The presence of injured captain Simon Murray in the stand illustrates the energy Dundee are missing in attack, and that is one area that Pressley said prior to the match he wants to address before Thursday's transfer deadline - as well as central defence.

Another game at home, against Tayside rivals St Johnstone, beckons on Wednesday (19:45).

What they said

Dundee manager Steven Pressley: "Over the course, there's no doubt Hibernian deserved to win. We looked a little bit disjointed. We weren't really cohesive in the way we wanted to press the game or cohesive in our build-up play.

"Hibernian came, they surprised us with a few things that they did. I didn't manage to find the right solutions. We have to take the medicine and respond."

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "That's certainly the right way to bounce back. As a group, I thought we were outstanding and fully deserved the win.

"For 80 minutes, complete control, probably should've scored another goal to kill the game out completely. They get the goal right at the very end. The players found the answer to make sure we seen it out."

Player of the match

Number: 24 J. Devaney
Average rating 7.83
Number: 1 O. Goodman
Average Rating: 5.16
Number: 5 O. Bevan
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 48 E. Hamilton
Average Rating: 4.95
Number: 27 J. Bevan
Average Rating: 4.80
Number: 4 R. Astley
Average Rating: 4.70
Number: 8 R. Finnigan
Average Rating: 4.57
Number: 3 I. Odutayo
Average Rating: 4.52
Number: 9 B. Wales
Average Rating: 4.52
Number: 21 B. Fink
Average Rating: 4.40
Number: 19 J. Westley
Average Rating: 4.26
Number: 14 A. Forrest
Average Rating: 4.20
Number: 7 D. Wright
Average Rating: 4.15
Number: 10 F. Robertson
Average Rating: 3.95
Number: 18 C. Reilly
Average Rating: 3.80
Number: 17 Ž. Bešir
Average Rating: 3.68

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.