Hibs earned a brilliant away win at Aberdeen as they continue their resurgence.
Martin Boyle was the main man as the Hibees came back from conceding the opener to lead 2-1 by half-time and then 3-1 by 90 minutes.
The Dons had started well and took the lead through winger Topi Keskinen. But minutes later Boyle latched onto Josh Campbell’s flick-on to set up Elie Youan.
The experienced forward’s second assist was even better as he clipped a cross to the back post for Nicky Cadden to finish with a volley with excellent technique.
Boyle was on the scoresheet himself in the second half after brilliant work by Nectar Triantis to win the ball and play him through.
Jimmy Thelin made attacking changes to try and get the Dons back into it but this time they didn’t work.
Hibs now have just one defeat in their last five games, away at Celtic Park, while it’s a different story at Aberdeen who haven’t won in six after their flying start.
Boyle at his best
Much has been made about the form, or lack of, from Hibees forward Martin Boyle. But he was back to his best today.
Deployed as a centre forward alongside Elie Youan, Boyle tormented the Aberdeen defence with his pace and direct running which appeared to be the aim of manager David Gray.
Boyle was the architect for the first two goals, the assist for the second even better than the first.
And he got on the scoresheet himself to give Hibs a more comfortable lead, finishing accurately across Ross Doohan.
Youan cooking
Things are looking up for Hibs as a collective but also for some individuals, like Boyle and Elie Youan.
The Frenchman now has two goals in two games as the player Hibees fans were used to seeing returns.
It has been a difficult season for the 25-year-old after chances of a summer move fell apart and he then struggled to get back into the team following injury.
Youan then had an angry confrontation with a Hibs fan after a St Mirren defeat as he had to be dragged away by a teammate.
Hibees supporters branded it a ‘shambles’ and an ’embarrassment’ in the aftermatch.
Further on into the season, Hibs hero Marvin Bartley hit out at Youan for his behaviour following Jordan Obita’s red card against Dundee.
But the front man appears to be putting all of that behind him and getting back to his best.
Aberdeen in a quandary
What is going on at Aberdeen?
It’s hard to put your finger on it after Jimmy Thelin’s side started this game well and took a deserved lead through Topi Keskinen.
But they quickly conceded a cheap equaliser, as good as it was from a Hibs point of view, and the away side took over from there.
The reaction to adversity didn’t’ seem very impressive at all, which doesn’t bode well amid a six-game winless streak with Rangers now leapfrogging them into second.