Hibernian 2-1 Dundee

Hibs survived a late scare to record a deserved win over Dundee at Easter Road.

Mixu Paatelainen put the home side in the driving seat with a good header early on.

The big striker doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the second half, but Nacho Novo pulled one back for Dundee in injury time.

There were a couple of close things in the dying seconds, but Hibs held on.

It was Hibs who mounted the first attack and Julian Speroni was grateful to see Jarkko Wiss' powerful drive fly just past the post.

Craig James saw his effort clear the crossbar and it was James who was the architect as Hibs took the lead in the 12th minute.

Paatelainen doubles Hibs' lead

James worked a one-two on the left before swinging an inviting cross onto the head of Paatelainen who was allowed to nod the ball past the despairing dive of Speroni by the spectating Dundee defence.

Dundee's first effort on goal was a Jonay Hernandez free kick in 18 minutes that Nick Colgan saved comfortably.

Alen Orman tried his luck from long range, but his attempt was off target.

Speroni punched clear under severe pressure from the imposing figure of Paatelainen as Hibs retained the upper hand.

The Dundee keeper then injured himself as he backpedalled to tip an audacious long-range effort by Yannick Zambernardi over the bar.

Colgan had to race off his line at the other end to head clear as Fabian Caballero looked poised to pounce on a through ball.

Paco Luna was unlucky to see his deft chip saved by Speroni five minutes into the second half, but as the ball broke off the keeper, Paatelainen latched on to it only to be brought down by Dave Mackay.

Hibs celebrate victory

Referee Hugh Dallas had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and the big Finn got his second of the afternoon from the spot.

Luna shot wide as Hibs continued to dominate, although Steve Lovell pulled a shot just wide at the other end.

Speroni spilled a cross and Paatelainen just failed to force the ball over the line.

Dundee had two good chances to get back into the game in quick succession, first Lovell was foiled by Colgan and then the Hibs keeper smothered the ball at the feet of Juan Sara.

Gavin Rae came close from inside the 18-yard box but he was denied by Hibs defender Gary Smith.

Caballero then had an effort well blocked by Wiss.

It was well into injury time before Dundee actually got on the scoresheet, Nacho Novo beating Colgan with an angled drive.

---

Hibernian: Colgan, Smith, Fenwick (Jack 85), Zambernardi, Orman (Doumbe 66), O'Neil, Wiss, Murray, James, Luna, Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Caig, Nicol, Riordan.

Booked: O'Neil.

Dundee: Speroni, MacKay, Hutchinson (Novo 61), Khizanishvili, Hernandez Santos, Rae, Smith, Nemsadze, Caballero, Sara, Lovell (Robb 75).

Subs Not Used: Langfield, Mair, Brady.

Booked: Hernandez Santos.

Att: 8,870

Ref: Hugh Dallas