Hibernian's Ante Suto (R) celebrates scoring to make it 3-2 with teammates Elie Youan (C) and Jack Iredale during a William Hill Premiership match between Hibernian and Dundee United at Easter RoadImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Ante Suto's header in the third minute of stoppage time won the game for Hibs

At a glance

  • Boyle's deflected shot gives Hibs the lead in first half

  • Trapanovski corners set up Graham and Watters to turn game for United

  • But Nicky Cadden free-kicks set up Youan and debutant Suto to win game in stoppage time for Hibs

ByThomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

Hibernian debutant Ante Suto scored a brilliant header in stoppage-time to complete a dramatic comeback win against Dundee United, whose Scottish Premiership top-six hopes were dealt a severe blow.

Jim Goodwin's side led heading into the 90th minute as two goals from corrners through Ross Graham and Max Watters put them on course for what looked like being a excellent comeback win on the road, after Martin Boyle had given Hibs a first-half advantage.

But two free-kicks from Nicky Cadden proved their undoing. Firstly, the substitute's curling delivery from the right caused Sam Cleall-Harding to sclaff his clearance, allowing Elie Youan to tap home the equaliser.

Then another expertly-taken delivery from the other side found the head of Suto, the deadline day signing making his debut from the bench, who somehow looped the ball into the corner in a dramatic finish.

It ended a three-game winless league run for David Gray's side and moves them four-points behind fourth-place Motherwell in the race for European football heading into a massive Edinburgh derby with Hearts next week.

As for United, it ended up being a crushing blow as a victory was snatched from them at the death.

They have now lost four straight league games and have fallen 11 points behind sixth-place Falkirk in the race for the top-half.

Analysis: Set-pieces prove vital in classic

Hibs and Dundee United have tended to produce thrilling games in recent times, and had already drawn 3-3 this season.

This was another absorbing contest from the start, with both sides creating, and missing, plenty of chances.

United forward Zac Sapsford had three good opportunities to score, the best of them a header just before Boyle's shot was deflected in by Cleall-Harding.

Boyle was also culpable, heading on to the bar from just a few yards out when he should have made it 2-0.

The difference, as has been the case so many times in the Premiership this season, was set-pieces.

For all the talk of specialist coaches, blocking, and body positons, the fundamentals are still players who can swing a great delivery in for others to attack.

In Cadden, Hibs have one of the best in the league. A bit-part player through injury this term, his absence has been felt. As was shown by his influence as a second-half substitute here.

His left-footed, arrowed deliveries caused panic in the United box as Hibs profited to the fullest extent.

A special mention is needed for Suto, though, whose deft header was one of the best of the season and ensured Hibs won the game to stay in touch with the top four.

United winger Trapanovski was outstanding and, on another night, his wonderful arcing deliveries to the back post from corners would have been the story.

Twice he cleared the Hibs defence at the front post to set up Graham, who slammed in as Jack Iredale tried to boot the ball away, and then Watters.

But unfortunately for the North Macedonian the story of United's season has been missed opportunities and self-inflicted wounds.

Their panic at the back as Cadden rained balls into their box proved their undoing, and now with Falkirk purring their top-six hopes seem a long shot even with nine games to go until the split.

What's next?

Hibernian visit Tynecastle on Tuesday for a massive Edinburgh derby (20:00 GMT), while Dundee United face League 2 side Spartans at Tannadice in the Scottish Cup fifth round on Saturday (15:00).

Player of the match

Number: 19 N. Cadden
Average rating 7.59
Number: 19 N. Cadden
Average Rating: 7.59
Number: 77 A. Šuto
Average Rating: 7.56
Number: 44 D. Scarlett
Average Rating: 7.27
Number: 14 M. Chaiwa
Average Rating: 6.99
Number: 10 M. Boyle
Average Rating: 6.54
Number: 42 M. Garan'anga
Average Rating: 6.48
Number: 33 R. Bushiri
Average Rating: 6.47
Number: 21 J. Obita
Average Rating: 6.43
Number: 1 R. Sallinger
Average Rating: 6.41
Number: 22 D. Barlaser
Average Rating: 6.40
Number: 15 J. Iredale
Average Rating: 6.39
Number: 7 É. Youan
Average Rating: 6.39
Number: 27 K. Megwa
Average Rating: 6.34
Number: 28 K. Andrews
Average Rating: 6.31
Number: 32 J. Campbell
Average Rating: 6.24
Number: 25 F. Passlack
Average Rating: 6.02

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.