Livingston vs Hibernian. Scottish Premiership.
Tony Macaroni ArenaAttendance3,854.
Match report as Ayo Obileye scores a late winner to help Livingston overcome Hibernian 2-1 in an ill-tempered affair; Sky Sports is the only broadcaster showing live top-flight Scottish football, with up to 48 live games; free highlights available on our website and social media channels
Monday 15 August 2022 10:09, UK
Hibernian manager Lee Johnson was critical of his team's poor performance after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Livingston.
Ayo Obileye netted an 86th-minute winner after Hibs midfielder Nohan Kenneh had cancelled out Joel Nouble's stunning solo effort at the start of the second half.
Hibs were second best for long spells as they had no answer to the home side's intensity and pressing.
And following the high of snatching a late equaliser in last Sunday's Edinburgh derby with Hearts, Johnson was left deflated in West Lothian.
He said: "That was typical of the tough nature of Scottish football. We got beaten three times last season by Livingston - you can see why.
"You have to give credit to the opposition. I'm really disappointed with our start. We played into their hands. I thought we were sloppy.
"It was a little bit laissez-faire, a little bit casual.
"It took until half-time to get us going and I don't think I should have to do that, chuck out the hairdryer, change the tactics too often to get a performance, which I thought was very good.
"We attacked the game, we went for the jugular. But there was a terrible moment with a poor goal conceded.
"I just made a really bad analogy, you ask a toddler to make a cup of tea, they get burned. A few of ours got burned today.
"I'll be honest, I was disappointed, and it wasn't just foreign players or new players, there was a domino effect of negativity until we got them in and were able to reframe them.
"It's a steep learning curve after a really good week, but that's football."
There was little between the teams during a highly competitive start before Nouble pounced to score a stunning solo effort after six minutes.
Jason Holt took the ball off the feet of Kenneh from a slack Marijan Cabraja pass and fed the bustling striker.
Nouble still had plenty of running to do to get near the box but he encountered next to no resistance from the Hibs rearguard as he weaved his way to goal before coolly finishing beyond David Marshall.
That got the Lions' tails up and Hibs had to soak up a sustained spell of pressure before finally regaining their composure.
Hibs boss Johnson was involved in a deep conversation with his coaching staff and that discussion led to Elias Melkersen making way for Christian Doidge in a tactical change after only 22 minutes. The young Norwegian headed straight up the tunnel after going off.
But it was the home side who should have doubled their lead in the 32nd minute. Hibs defender Chris Cadden stumbled on the ball, giving possession to Nouble, but after the striker slipped it through Ryan Porteous, his low left-footed drive was well saved by Marshall.
In a frustrating first period, Hibs registered their first shot on target in the 45th minute when Doidge's tame header was collected by Shamal George. Martin Boyle came on for Jair Tavares at the break and Hibs began the second half like a team that had been given the hairdryer treatment by Johnson.
After piling on the pressure Kenneh headed home the equaliser after Paul Hanlon's initial header from Joe Newell's free-kick was saved.
Livingston came back into it and finished strongly. After Nouble fired over, substitute Bruce Anderson had an effort brilliantly saved by Marshall before Obileye headed in the winner after connecting with Sean Kelly's free-kick at the
back post.
Hibs brought on Momodou Bojang but the striker wasted a great chance to level in injury-time.
Livingston manager Davie Martindale has backed Lee Johnson to turn Hibernian into a Premiership force despite watching his team beat the Easter Road side for a fourth successive time.
The home side were good value for the win as they continued their rich vein of form over Hibs dating back to last December.
Martindale said: "That's a great stat (four straight wins over Hibs) for Livi, a club of our size and it just goes to show that possession doesn't win you games of football.
"It's shots on target and the ball lying in the back of the net.
"That's down to the players and the staff here - although that sets it up nicely for going to Easter Road.
"But I think you'll see a different Hibs, they are in a transitional phase and Lee will bring more players in.
"They will get used to his way of playing and I think they will be up there at the end of the day because he's a very good manager and Hibs have the finances to make sure they are up there at the top end of the league.
"We have to squeeze every ounce of aggression, hard work and talent out of everyone because we don't have the luxury of buying a game-changer.
"We need to have 16 game-changers in our squad."
Hibernian's next Scottish Premiership match is at home to Rangers live on Sky Sports on 20 August. Kick-off 12:30pm.
Livingston are away to Motherwell on the same day with a 3pm kick-off.
