French connection wins it for Hibs

Marc Libbra sent Hibs on the way to victory

Dundee 0-2 Hibernian

Hibs moved to within eight points of second-placed Rangers with a convincing victory over Dundee at Dens Park.

The Easter Road side still have an outside chance of overtaking the Ibrox side, but manager Alex McLeish will be delighted to see his team winning as their Scottish Cup final against Celtic approaches.

Marc Libbra opened the scoring in 53 minutes after a fairly even first half.

His compatriot David Zitelli made the points secure 13 minutes later when he added Hibs' second.

First-half highlight

It took until 15 minutes for either side to threaten - Steven Tweed powered a six-yard header goalwards, only for the ball to be cleared off the line by Stuart Lovell.

Hibs' experimental back three had little difficulty in containing the twin attacking talents of Caniggia and Caballero.

In the 24th minute the visitors should have done better when awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area, only for David Zitelli to misfire over the crossbar.

Chances were at a premium and Dundee went close in the 33rd minute when Caniggia forced his way through the Hibs defence but his final shot went just wide.

Towards the end of the half, both teams were managing to create some chances - the highlight a 37th minute save by Jamie Langfield from Marc Libbra's header.

Confident finish

Hibs began after the break in confident mood and were rewarded with the opening goal.

Frederic Arpinon chipped a precise pass over the top to the feet of Libbra in the 55th minute and the on-loan striker smashed the ball into the corner of the net from 12 yards.

Dundee escaped further punishment two minutes later when Hibs should have been awarded a penalty after Walter Del Rio's clearance cannoned off the arm of Tweed, but referee David Somers waved play on.

Hibs grabbed the second in the 66th minute.

A harmless ball down the middle by Matthias Jack fell to the feet of Barry Smith, but the Dundee defender slipped to let in Zitelli, and the former Strasbourg striker pounced to drill a confident finish under Langfield.

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Dundee: Langfield, Del Rio, Smith, Tweed, Khizanishvili, Romano, Rae, Nemsadze, Garrido, Caniggia, Caballero.

Subs: Roccati, Coyne, Milne, Robertson, Fatello.

Hibernian: Colgan, Gary Smith, Sauzee, Jack, Lovell, Arpinion, Brebner, Murray, Libbra, Lehmann, Zitelli.

Subs: Westwater, Paatelainen, Latapy, McManus, O'Connor.

Referee: D Somers