Hibernian 2-1 Dundee: Maolida magic pushes hosts towards top six
- Published
Dylan Vente had only scored once since September before netting the opener from the spot
Hibernian "should have been more comfortable", said head coach Nick Montgomery, after they narrowed the gap on the Scottish Premiership top six with a late win over Dundee.
Dylan Vente's penalty had the hosts ahead after a calamitous mistake from Trevor Carson, who then produced save after save to keep Dundee in it.
The visitors thought they had nicked a draw when Luke McCowan lasered in an equaliser, but a brilliant solo goal by Myziane Maolida secured Hibs' first win in nine league games.
"We could have made it easier for ourselves by putting our chances away," Montgomery said.
"I'm a bit relieved to get the win because we've been a bit anxious at times, dropped points in games we could have and should have won.
"Today you saw a real professional, real team performance. It's been a difficult couple of months for many reasons. Today is a great foundation for us."
Dundee remain sixth, with seventh-place Hibs just two points behind.
Dundee haven't won at Easter Road in the league since 2001 and that run looked likely to continue on the evidence of their first-half showing.
They didn't have a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, while Hibs mounted increasing pressure at the other end.
The hosts were a particular threat from corners, and that's where the opening goal came from - although it was one of Joe Newell's poorer deliveries.
Carson fumbled a simple catch, slapped the ball away from an onrushing Hibs attacker, and then swiped the legs of Emiliano Marcondes as he tried to clear. To compound Carson's misery, Vente sent him the wrong way from the spot for only his second goal since September.
The Dundee goalkeeper was desperate to make amends. He denied Vente from close range before tipping a Maolida shot wide, and in the second half he stopped a spectacular Martin Boyle volley.
Carson could do nothing as Vente volleyed in what he thought was a second, but Dundee were given a reprieve as VAR adjudged the striker offside - by an inch, judging from the replay.
The visitors threatened to make the most of it. Curtis Main had the ball in the net, but was a few yards offside when he flicked a header past David Marshall.
Hibs didn't heed that warning. They could only clear a long throw to the edge of the box where McCowan drilled the ball back into the bottom corner.
A draw would have been a miscarriage of justice, and Maolida ensured a long-awaited Hibs win when he twisted and turned to fire the ball past Carson.
Player of the Match - Martin Boyle (Hibernian)
Hibs really missed him when he was away at the Asian Cup, and while he didn't score today, he offered his usual flair
Disappointing Dundee outplayed by confident Hibs - analysis
Given the media attention on Aberdeen's managerial change, Hibs' poor form has rather flown under the radar.
That said, Montgomery needed a decent performance to pacify the fans - and he got that against Dundee. Plenty of attacking intent, it was the best Hibs have played in a while.
Not that they had much opposition. Dundee have done well this season, but this was a performance to forget.
Their weak right side was exposed, and sloppy and error-strewn attacking play meant if they were given a chance to get forward, they couldn't take it.
They looked far more solid with three at the back, which also allowed Owen Beck more licence to get forward.
The worry for the Hibs was how close they came to chucking it away. They dominated 90% of this game, and Dundee weren't far from snatching a draw.
What they said
Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery: "We more than deserved the three points. The stats and performance tell you that. Too many times this season we've been the better team, but haven't always come out with the rewards."
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "It's disappointing to come away with nothing from the game. In the first half, we were uncharacteristically poor in possession. It wasn't like us, we passed up good opportunities by not taking care of the ball.
"We addressed that at half-time, made a couple of changes. I thought through our spirit, mentality and resilience, we got ourselves back in the game. At that stage, the game became a game of basketball, and I thought we were going to go and win it."
What's next?
Hibernian visit Hearts in the Edinburgh derby on Wednesday night while Dundee travel to Celtic (both 19:45 GMT).