Hibernian vs Dundee. Scottish Premiership.
Easter RoadAttendance16,793.
Match report as Dundee earn a share of the spoils at Easter Road
Saturday 30 September 2023 21:14, UK
Hibernian had to settle for a point at home to Dundee after failing to make their pressure count in an entertaining goalless draw.
The home team registered 23 attempts at goal, but poor finishing let them down.
Dylan Vente and Paul Hanlon both had efforts saved in the first half before the likes of Martin Boyle, Elie Youan, Vente and Will Fish wasted good chances in the second period.
The visitors looked dangerous on the counter-attack and went close themselves through Zak Rudden and the impressive Owen Beck after the break.
Both teams contributed to an entertaining start as they showed an appetite to attack.
Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall was called into action after 12 minutes to parry a powerful Rudden header following a teasing cross from Luke McCowan.
There was further panic at the back for the hosts when Fish's attempted clearance came back off Amadou Bakayoko and flew over the bar from six yards.
But Hibs soon regained their composure before stepping up the pressure at the other end.
Dundee keeper Trevor Carson did well to keep out a Vente header at the back post when it looked like the striker would score.
Hibs captain Hanlon then had an effort saved from close range before glancing a header wide from a Joe Newell free-kick.
Hibs were enjoying aerial dominance inside the area from set-plays and should have done more with their openings.
On the stroke of half-time Carson got down well to a curling Newell free-kick from the corner of the area.
Dundee always looked dangerous on the counter, but it was Hibs who forced the issue in the second half as they created countless chances.
After the home side had heaved a sigh of relief when Rudden curled a shot just wide from inside the area, Hibs increased the pressure.
Boyle had a shot saved inside the box from a good position before Youan had an effort repelled by Carson.
Frenchman Youan then did well to create space inside the area, but Dundee skipper Joe Shaughnessy threw himself in the way of the shot to make a crucial block.
But Hibs kept coming and Carson had to be alert to push out a clever flick from Vente at the near post from a Boyle corner.
Another Boyle corner saw Fish head over, while substitute Christian Doidge headed straight at Carson from a long throw from Lewis Miller.
Dundee could have won it with a stunning counter led by Luke McCowan. The midfielder sped away from Boyle and found substitute Ryan Howley. The midfielder crossed for Beck and the wing-back lashed a fierce volley straight at Marshall.
Boyle then shot wide at the other end from a Youan pass when he should have at least hit the target.
Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery said: "We are definitely frustrated, I thought we did more than enough to win the game.
"The stats don't win you a game of football, but 23 shots, and I think we had 10 on target to their two, so it's definitely frustrating.
"But we'll take the positives - another clean sheet, a good performance from everybody, with the boys who came in after a big week.
"You're going to be disappointed when you create that many chances without winning. On another day, we could have scored a couple of goals. It wasn't to be. But we move on to a big game next week."
Dundee manager Tony Docherty said: "It would have been the complete performance if we had scored from the counter-attack at the end. If it goes either side of big Marsh (Hibs keeper David Marshall), I think it's a goal.
"That would have capped off an absolutely fantastic performance. But I couldn't be any more proud of the players. I think we're really growing as a team.
"They executed that game plan to the letter. We carried a threat, we were organised. You need to remember we only had four players out there who had played at Easter Road. So, to show that level of experience and maturity was really pleasing.
Hibernian's next Scottish Premiership match is away to Edinburgh rivals Hearts on October 7 while Dundee are at home to Ross County on the same day. Both games kick-off at 3pm.
