Mykola Kuharevich and substitute Martin Boyle put struggling St Johnstone to the sword at Easter Highway as David Grey savoured his first Premiership win since being named everlasting Hibernian supervisor in the summertime.
The Edinburgh aspect had been denied victories by the concession of late equalisers of their earlier two matches in opposition to Dundee and Kilmarnock, however this time they regarded in full management after making the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time.
A piece of the travelling Saints help made their emotions in the direction of their supervisor clear – ‘Craig Levein, we wish you to go’ – because the Perth aspect, who had Benjamin Kimpioka despatched off within the closing levels, slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat.
How Hibs defeated St Johnstone
There have been three adjustments to the Hibs aspect that began the 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock earlier than the worldwide break as Lewis Miller, Joe Newell and Boyle made manner for Chris Cadden, Nicky Cadden and Elie Youan, who returned after a two-month damage lay-off. Warren O’Hora took the captain’s armband within the absence of skipper Newell, who missed out with a minor groin problem.
Levein made two adjustments to the group that began their 2-1 defeat at residence to Motherwell as Cammy MacPherson and the suspended Jack Sanders have been changed by Sven Sprangler and Jason Holt.
Clear possibilities have been few and much between within the first half, with each side usually restricted to pictures from distance.
Nicky Cadden despatched an angled strike narrowly large after being arrange on the sting of the field by Rudi Molotnikov after two minutes, whereas Saints ahead Nicky Clark had a shot simply handled by Josef Bursik shortly afterwards.
Halfway by the half, visiting midfielder Matt Smith shot simply large from the sting of the field after a spell of strain, and on the different finish Kwon Hyeok-kyu curled an effort simply large from 20 yards after being arrange by Nectar Triantis.
Kuharevich threatened within the thirty fourth minute when he drove ahead and noticed a strong low shot from exterior the field deflected simply large earlier than Youan despatched a free header excessive over the crossbar.
Hibs made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time when Nicky Cadden’s free-kick to the again submit was headed again throughout objective by Marvin Ekipiteta and Kuharevich beat goalkeeper Ross Sinclair to the ball on the sting of the field and flicked it into the online.
Grey made a change for the beginning of the second half, with summer season signing Junior Hoilett despatched on for his debut rather than Youan.
Hibs had three good possibilities to double their lead as Kwon blazed over from 15 yards, Molotnikov was denied by a superb save from Sinclair after being launched within the field by Hoilett, and Kuharevich fired over after being arrange by Josh Campbell.
The Hibees obtained a deserved second within the 73rd minute when Chris Cadden’s beautiful cross from the right-back place launched Boyle and the substitute raced clear to dink a stunning end past Sinclair from the angle of the six-yard field.
