Hibs instant analysis: Slick and clinical, Le Fondre's class

Nick Montgomery's side were three up within 23 minutes, racing into an unassailable advantage thanks to Jordan Obita, Myziane Maolida and Adam Le Fondre. Hibs couldn't press that advantage home any further in the hour or so that remained, but this was as comfortable as they've been under Montgomery at Easter Road, putting away a desperately poor opponent with the minimum of fuss.

Patrick McPartlin and Liam Bryce were at Easter Road to provide the instant analysis.

Fast start so important

Opposition managers have openly talked about the importance of frustrating Hibs for the first 15-20 minutes or so because it turns the home fans and creates a bit of a poisonous atmosphere.  The best way to counter this, obviously, is to ensure a fast start - something Hibs haven’t been great at this season. There have been games in which they have started well without scoring, or started well and scored one but been unable to add to their tally.  This game was really the first time, certainly under Nick Montgomery, that Hibs have come springing out of the traps and got the goals their play has deserved. 

The only complaint, or negative, was that they were unable to add more goals and boost their goal difference, which could be vital later on in the campaign. But it would be churlish to look for negatives after one of Hibs’ most complete performances of the season - one that they managed without the likes of Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller, and Dylan Vente. It’s the sort of performance that Hibs have threatened to put in at times during Montgomery’s tenure but the acid test will be if they are able to build on this going forward.

Patrick McPartlin

Clinical edge sharpens

Montgomery has repeatedly implored his side to be more ruthless in the final third, and even in matches they have won there's often be a sense that it could have been more comfortable. There were no such issues here, with Hibs carrying the overdue look of a side who could score every time they ventured forward. Livingston being desperately poor helped, of course, but Hibs' three goals were of excellent quality, with players making exactly the right decisions at the right moments. That's not always been a given here this season, but it shows what this side is capable of producing when it hits top gear.  It was swift, free-flowing and very easy on the eye. Le Fondre was instrumental, Myziane was clinical, likewise Youan, and Emiliano's movement caused all sorts of issues for a Livingston midfield which was reshuffled from the bench within 45 minutes.

Their torrid opening 45 was catalysed significantly by Joe Newell and Nectar Triantis providing a solid foundation for Hibs to go and attack. The captain was particularly influential, picking passes and driving forward at will with the ball. It's as though the sense of injustice and frustration from Dingwall in midweek made Hibs' doubly desperate to not leave themselves in any danger against a side fighting for their lives. The challenge now is to ensure that putting teams to the sword is not merely a flash in the pan. As bad as Livi were, Hibs have the attacking tools to inflict this level of  punishment far more often than they do.

Liam Bryce

Le Fondre's class

Adam Le Fondre had a noticeable impact on the game when he came on at the midway point of Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Ross County, and declared himself ready to start as he spoke to the media afterwards. His last place in the starting XI was in another 2-2 draw with the Staggies at Easter Road on Hallowe’en but after his performance in Dingwall, and with Dylan Vente still sidelined, it seemed inevitable that he would be rewarded with a return to the starting line-up.  And what a return it was, as Hibs raced into a two-goal inside ten minutes, Le Fondre having a hand in both goals as he teed up Jordan Obita for the opener and occupied the defence enough to give Myziane Maolida space to score the second.

He then made one of his trademark runs to the back post to get on the end of Élie Youan’s low cross to make it three.  It would be harsh to single out the veteran forward as the difference-maker in the first period, particularly with Youan helping himself to two assists and Hibs performing well across the park. But even when he isn’t the one scoring the goals he makes such a big difference to the attack.  It’s a cliché, but the international break might be coming at a good time generally for Hibs, given the number of injured players, but an unhelpful time for Le Fondre. 

Patrick McPartlin

Top six picture

This was must-win for Hibs, no doubt about it. Even with Dundee hosting Rangers tomorrow, the margin for error in the push to make the top six has become so thin that any more slip ups for Montgomery's side would be potentially fatal. Just getting into the top half is a very modest ambition in the grand scheme of things, and expectations were far higher at the start of the season. But this is the situation Hibs have found themselves in, and not dropping into the bottom half would, at least, would prevent post-split matches feeling like a series of dead rubbers.

It would be just Hibs' luck for Dundee to go and take something from Rangers on Sunday, especially with Montgomery's side off to Ibrox next weekend. Still, though, all they could do here was their own part, and victory does move Hibs back into sixth place, at least until tomorrow afternoon. It feels as though the club needs the marquee fixtures that would come with finishing on the right side of the split, otherwise the season would be in real danger of meandering towards a limp conclusion. Play like they today for the remaining three matches, and Hibs might just get there after all.

Liam Bryce