Hibernian vs Kilmarnock. Scottish Premiership.
Easter RoadAttendance15,426.
Match report as Hibernian end winless run after Kilmarnock's Ash Taylor saw red in the 10th minute before Joe Newell struck; Hibs manager Lee Johnson missed the match after requiring emergency gallbladder removal surgery on Friday
Saturday 3 September 2022 20:53, UK
Hibernian won for the first time in five cinch Premiership games as Joe Newell’s early goal sank 10-man Kilmarnock 1-0.
The visitors lost Ash Taylor to a red card after just 10 minutes, with Newell scoring from the rebound from the resulting free-kick.
Hibs were the dominant side after that but failed to take any of their chances as they held on for a narrow win.
Kilmarnock rarely threatened but Innes Cameron put their best chance wide of the far post.
Hibs manager Lee Johnson missed the match after requiring emergency gallbladder removal surgery on Friday.
He made two changes from his hospital bed to the team beaten by St Mirren last weekend, with Jake Doyle-Hayes dropping out and Christian Doidge having signed on loan for Kilmarnock. In came Nohan Kenneh and Ewan Henderson, while two of Hibs' deadline-day signings, Harry McKirdy and Will Fish, started on the bench.
Kilmarnock also made two changes from their midweek win over Hearts. In came Oli Shaw and Alan Power, with Liam Donnelly and Rory McKenzie dropping out.
Hibs started on the front foot and Elie Youan's drive required Sam Walker to make a smart save after just five minutes.
Ewan Henderson turned the subsequent corner over the crossbar before firing a low effort that was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.
The match turned, however, in the 10th minute. Taylor wiped out Martin Boyle on the edge of the box, with referee John Beaton deciding it was just outside. That meant a red card for Taylor and a free-kick rather than a penalty.
Newell's shot was brilliantly saved by Walker but when the ball came straight back to him the midfielder threaded a left-footed shot into the corner to give Hibs the lead.
Kilmarnock were playing mostly on the back foot but in a rare first-half counter attack, Cameron should have done better than drag a shot beyond the far post.
Hibs should have moved two in front after 36 minutes. Chris Cadden's cross was touched on by Youan to Henderson who somehow steered his shot over the crossbar from close range.
Kilmarnock shouted for a penalty after Cadden and Ben Chrisene collided in the box before only a last-ditch challenge from Ryan Alebiosu denied Henderson as he prepared to shoot.
Ryan Porteous was first to threaten for Hibs in the second half, his header tipped over by Walker, before McKirdy's diving effort flew over the crossbar.
Kilmarnock had a chance through Power whose shot went wide as Hibs began to lose their grip on the game.
Youan could have put the result beyond doubt but failed to hit the target before Momodou Bojang ran clear and hit his shot straight at Walker.z
Hibernian assistant manager Jamie McAllister: "I think we had 25 shots on goal and dominated but it was that quality in the final third that let us down.
"We should have been out of sight and managed the game better. We got into some great areas and created good chances but it was just that final pass or execution in the final third to get the second goal and be comfortable.
"We were always giving them a chance when we were 1-0 and they were throwing caution to the wind with 10 men, catching us on the counter.
"The crowd were a bit up and down and you can sense that because at times we were slow at moving the ball.
"The tempo should have been quicker and you want that second goal and to go on and get two, three, or four. But I thought Killie stuck at it and threw caution to the wind in a bid to get that equaliser."
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "I thought we were good, I thought we were even better with 10 men. It was challenging going behind, it was a double whammy, losing the goal from the red-card incident.
"Going behind with 10 men at a place like Easter Road was going to be a real challenge for us. But I thought the better team lost the game, to be honest.
"We showed good imagination, good thought. We picked and chose our battles at the right time, we had great spirit.
"Hibs had chances but they never played through us, never opened us up. I never felt we were under duress.
"I just felt we could have been cuter to open them up and maybe get an opportunity to get an equaliser. But there is absolutely zero criticism of my players after we went down to 10 men."
Hibernian travel to rock bottom Dundee United on Saturday, September 10. Kick-off is at 3pm. Kilmarnock host St. Johnstone on the same day and time.
