Hibernian Dominates Dundee with Strong Performance

Hibernian shook off any hint of a European hangover and took charge from the first whistle, dictating the tempo and territory while Dundee chased shadows for long spells.

David Gray’s side owned the ball in the final third, but for a while their only problem was the last act. Nathan Lowe climbed well but couldn’t generate the power his header needed. Martin Boyle buzzed around the box, twice letting fly without reward before finally timing his run to perfection, staying onside to collect a Grant Hanley pass and slide in the opener their dominance demanded.

Boyle should have doubled it before the break. Clean through again, he opted for the deft finish, lifting a chip beyond the goalkeeper only to watch it skip wide. Dundee survived, but they were hanging on.

The second goal felt inevitable. When it came, it matched the pattern of the game far more than the scoreline had. Hibs tightened their grip, with Jamie McGrath and Felix Passlack driving forward, threatening to turn a controlled performance into a rout as Dundee’s shape frayed and the home crowd grew restless.

Only Bradley Fink’s effort wide offered any sort of response in a wretched first half for Steven Pressley’s team. They lacked cohesion out of possession and any real clarity when they did manage to build from the back, exactly the issues their manager would later admit he failed to solve on the touchline.

Dundee did at least rouse themselves after the interval. The introduction and influence of Joe Bevan gave them a focal point, his delivery flashing right across the face of goal and forcing Passlack into an awkward clearance under pressure. At 2-0 down, Hamilton finally tested Raphael Sallinger, hinting at a contest that never fully materialised.

The pattern was clear: get Bevan on the ball and Dundee looked livelier. But the sharp, fearless attacking edge they had shown in recent wins over Aberdeen and Dundee United never truly reappeared. Too many moves broke down, too many runs went unsupported.

Up in the stand, injured captain Simon Murray watched on, a reminder of the energy and aggression Dundee are missing at the top end of the pitch. Pressley has already flagged his desire to strengthen in attack and at centre-back before Thursday’s transfer deadline, and this display underlined why. Another home test, against Tayside rivals St Johnstone on Wednesday night, is coming fast.

By contrast, Hibs leave with exactly what Gray demanded: a reaction. They controlled the contest for around 80 minutes, should have buried it with a third, then had to absorb a late punch when Westley pulled one back to jolt the closing stages. The late goal briefly rattled them, but they held firm, finding just enough composure to see the job through.

Gray called it the right way to bounce back, and on this evidence he is right. The performance had structure, aggression and purpose. What it lacked was the ruthless edge that will be non-negotiable when Hearts arrive at Easter Road on Thursday night, with derby points and early-season momentum on the line.