Hibs instant analysis: Emiliano screamer, Hanlon the poacher?

A brilliant Emiliano Marcondes free-kick - struck from all of 30 yards - set Nick Montgomery's side on their way, followed by a rare goal for Paul Hanlon and a clinical second-half finish from substitute Dylan Vente. Hibs were denied a clean sheet in the final minute of normal time as Benjamin Kimpioka side-footed into the top corner, but it was too late a contribution to threaten what was a professional Hibs performance.

Liam Bryce was in Perth to provide the instant analysis.

A (mostly) drama-free afternoon

This was about as comfortable a victory as Hibs have enjoyed all season, racking up three fine goals along the way. Montgomery's side could easily have scored even more were it not for some last-ditch St Johnstone defending and the odd moment of wastefulness. At the back, they were presented with few problems by a largely toothless host, so it will sting a little that they were not able to see out a rare clean sheet. Still, though, it was a result the manager needed given the noise and speculation which has swirled around him since the failure to make top six. This result won't do too much to shift perceptions around the team and season at large, but all Montgomery could do was send out a team to win, and Hibs did that comfortably. Three points should also wash away that gnawing fear among supporters that their team could still, against all odds, still be dragged into the play-off scrap. This stretch of fixtures is all about providing evidence that this team and manager can make some sustained improvement moving forward, so this was a decent start.

Goal of the season contender?

It'll certainly be up there, such was the quality of this strike from Emiliano. His set-piece prowess is no secret, but he hasn't had too many opportunities to have a pop since coming north, and it seems the Dane wasn't about to less this one pass him by. Dimitar Mitov has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in this season's Premiership, but even with all 6ft 2 of him at full stretch he wasn't getting anywhere near a sumptuous effort that curled and dipped before nestling in the top corner. It was as aesthetically pleasing a free-kick as you'll see anywhere, and one that will make a serious case to be Hibs' best of the campaign in all competitions. Perhaps only a pair of strikes from Joe Newell will get near it - a memorable effort against Luzern in Europa Conference League qualifying, and a stunning volley away at Kilmarnock in the league. The former might just edge it given the importance of the game and the raucous reaction from a capacity Easter Road crowd, but take nothing away from what was a superb strike from Emiliano.

Rare goal for Hanlon

I do wonder what the odds would've been on a first-half Paul Hanlon goal pre-kick off. Summoned from the bench following injury to Will Fish, this was the 34-year-old's first appearance since March, and he marked it with an important goal to put Hibs in firm control of proceedings. Hibs had fashioned further opportunities following Emiliano's opener, but as they kept going begging, that ominous feeling which has justifiably kept fans on edge all season started to creep in again. But those worries were eased when Hanlon tucked home coolly in the box following Joe Newell's hoisted long throw. It was sheer persistence from the centre-back, who followed up his own challenge and found his endeavour rewarded with a chance to tuck into the corner, which he duly did. It's Hanlon's first goal since netting a consolation in a 3-1 defeat to Rangers last May, and as uncertainty continues to linger over his future, there's a not inconsiderable chance it could be his last.

Counter attacking threat

So many games this season have followed the pattern of Hibs looking to break down a low block, with opponents acutely aware of the threat they possess on the counter. But their greatest threat here was on the break, with Martin Boyle and Myziane Maolida having particularly effective afternoons. That space on the counter only increased as the game wore on, given Saints' need for points in their battle to avoid the drop. Hibs had numerous breaks in behind and probably should have made more of them. Myziane was denied a goal by a goal line clearance from the ever impressive Dan Phillips, and he may have even been about to head in a Cadden cross were it not for Andrew Considine launching himself into a hugely important block. The second-half, at times, may have been a little more open than Montgomery would have liked, but it did result in some fluid attacking play, with Vente sent through by a clever Josh Campbell header, and he lashed into the net to make the points safe.