MATCH REPORT | HIBS LEVEL TWICE TO SNATCH A POINT AT EASTER ROAD

HIBERNIAN 2-2 DUNDEE UNITED

3PM SUNDAY 14TH JANUARY 2023

CINCH PREMIERSHIP

EASTER ROAD

Kevin Nisbet netted twice as a dominant United were forced to settle for a point in the capital. 

TEAM NEWS

Liam Fox made one change to the starting 11 that was defeated by Rangers last weekend. 

It was an enforced one at that, a minor knock keeping Dylan Levitt out of the squad in place of Arnaud Djoum 

Tony Watt also missed out through a minor groin strain. 

A RAMPANT START

The Terrors were on the front foot within one minute. Steven Fletcher picked up a slack pass from Ryan Porteous on the edge of the area, teeing up Djoum with a cushioned pass. The midfielder fired a shot goalwards but a deflection took it safely into the hands of David Marshall. 

The pressure continued as United found space for Kieran Freeman at the far side of the Hibs penalty area. Another deflection took his shot wide for a corner which was resultantly cleared by the Hibs defence. 

Within six minutes, Liam Fox’s side had a well-deserved lead. 

A clever throw-in by Freeman found Djoum in the area - his neat first touch worked the ball onto Fletcher. A layoff to his right found Glenn Middleton who got underneath the ball to lift it beyond Marshall into the top right corner. 

12 minutes in, a ridiculous save from Mark Birighitti kept United ahead. A loose ball found Kyle Magennis 25 yards from goal. The Hibs midfielder hit a vicious effort but fingertips from Birighitti pushed it onto the bar.

Several chances fell United’s way in the first half as we pressed Hibs high up the park. 

Ian Harkes was slipped in but his left-footed strike was blocked by Will Fish before it reached its target. 

An effort just wide of the mark and a Marshall save stopped Fletcher from doubling our advantage. 

PEGGED BACK

After 25 minutes the hosts were back level through Kevin Nisbet - albeit against the run of play. 

A long ball from Ryan Porteous found Josh Campbell - just onside down the right flank. He teed up Nisbet, who cleverly engineered a shooting opportunity at the edge of the area and made no mistake to fire a curling effort past Birighitti. 

BACK ON TOP

Just over four minutes is all it took for United to regain the lead. 

Fletcher was involved again, winning a clever flick-on as United pushed forward. Another flick round the corner - this time from Freeman - found Harkes in space down the United right. The American cut inside and his left-footed effort deflected off Lewis Stevenson and nestled into the far corner. 

SECOND HALF

United looked to have picked up where they left off. Some early second-half pressure down the Hibs left forced a United corner. The goalscorer combined as Middleton’s low cross was met by Harkes but could get a clean connection to trouble Marshall.

Bookings for Magennis, Middleton and Fletcher provided the only action up until the final 20 minutes.  

Harry McKirdy was introduced for the hosts in the second half, and almost had them level on 75 minutes, but his curling strike from outside the area came off of the crossbar. 

A LAST-MINUTE BLOW

Into stoppage, Hibs levelled once more through Kevin Nisbet. 

Moving away from goal, Nisbet dug out a shot with his right foot, finding the far corner. 

TEAMLINE

Starting XI: Birighitti, Smith, McMann, Fletcher (McGrath 82'), Djoum, Edwards, Sibbald (Pawlett 87'), Middleton, Behich, Freeman, Harkes. 

Unused subs: Eriksson, Mulgrew, Graham, Niskanen, Meekison, Cudjoe, MacLeod. 

NEXT UP

A rescheduled Matchday 17 is up next as we travel to Livingston on Wednesday night. 

Tickets are available here!