HIBS took control of their Conference League qualifying fate with a thrilling first-leg victory over Luzern at Easter Road.
Goals from the outstanding Joe Newell, new boy Dylan Vente and sub Jordan Obita gave Lee Johnson’s side a deserved victory. Ismajl Beka had equalised for Luzern, but the Hibees were well worth their advantage ahead of next week’s second leg in Switzerland, where the reward for the winner will be a play-off against Aston Villa.
Here are six talking points from Edinburgh.
Gripping affair
There was very little between these sides, and it was evident in how the 90 minutes panned out as a largely tight yet captivating affair. Luzern started the better, looking more assured in possession – with Jashari a particular influence – and they looked to hurt Hibs down the home side’s left with the pacy Teddy Okou, but his was a challenge that Lewis Miller stood up to consistently well at right-back.
As the opening period progressed, Hibs grew into the game without creating too much, a few blocked shots and half-chances aside. But their forward intent got the Easter Road onside early, and you could feel momentum slowly building.
The place almost erupted when Martin Boyle found a pocket of space in the final third and sent a shot rasping towards Pascal Loretz’ top corner, but the Luzern keeper did brilliantly to just about tip it over the cross bar.
The second-half followed a similar topsy-turvy pattern, with neither side in control for too long before momentum seemed to swing the other way. It made for an entertaining evening, and there probably should have been more goals in the end.
Newell provides crucial moments
Nobody did more for Hibs’ cause on the night than Newell. We’ll get to his superbly taken goal in a moment, but the goal-saving block he made on the cusp of the interval was also vitally important. Luzern’s persistence in targeting Hibs’ right-hand side eventually paid off, and a cut-back towards the penalty looked certain to be tucked away by the onrushing Pius Dorn until Newell selflessly flung himself in the way.
That preserved Hibs’ rising momentum in the break, and it was only minutes after the action recommenced that Newell struck a beauty. Hibs worked the ball neatly around the Luzern box, and that allowed debutant Dylan Vente to lay off for Newell to simply pass an effort straight into the top corner from the edge of the area.
It was an excellent finish, and a moment that really should have propelled Hibs on to even more. Newell’s endeavour did eventually – driving forward to help create Vente’s goal – but not before they were pegged back by some dodgy defending.
Set-piece defending a worry
Luzern didn’t start the second period well at all, and there was a feeling they were there for the taking after the opener, with Will Fish glancing a header past the post and Adam Le Fondre going wide with an ambitious effort.
But they instead conspired to concede goal that will have been galling for Lee Johnson in so many ways. Firstly, the timing – coming just minutes after Hibs had powered in front. Secondly, their defensive organisation from a corner wasn’t there at a crucial moment, with two men in green and white running into each other as the set-piece. And then there’s the fact that it must be really hard to lose Beka in the box, he is massive, and yet was able to ghost to the front post to apply a deft header into the corner.
Vente to the rescue
Not a bad way for the Dutchman to kickstart his Easter Road career, delivering an assist and the winner on a European night. Chances had been non-existent for the striker before Martin Boyle looped a cross onto his head for a simple close-range header, but that was his reward for a persistent, promising display.
Paired with the experienced Le Fondre up front, there certainly looks to be potential for an effective forward pairing. Le Fondre was also involved in Newell’s goal, finding Vente in a good area to tee up a cracker.
There was a real lack of goalmouth action in the first period, but Vente could be seen taking up good positions without always being found, something that should be remedied the more he and his new team-mates play together. An impressive first outing.
Late goal so important
Potentially the pivotal moment in the tie, Obita’s surging run and calm finish as we edged into stoppage time could be so, so important. Defending a one-goal lead away from home in Europe is such a precarious position to be in, and Hibs now have some invaluable breathing space.
They had weathered late Luzern pressure well, getting bodies in the way and riding their luck where required, with Dorn crashing one off the bar that left David Marshall rooted to the spot. But with the visitors piling bodies forward, there was always the potential for a quick counter.
And so it proved as Obita intercepted a loose pass on the halfway line, strode forward into the box and kept his cool to find the far corner, the importance of which cannot be understated.
Tie brilliantly poised
It’s not only the result which tees up a tantalising return in Switzerland next week, but the feistiness of this 90 minutes should guarantee a hotly-contested decider. There was certainly no shortage of needle last night.
Luzern had been allowed to spray the ball around a little too freely in the early stages, and they didn’t much like Hibs starting to get in their faces. But the fuse was really lit in the second-half by some robust challenges - including a rammy involving just about every player that included Boyle brandishing a yellow card dropped by the ref.
In truth, Luzern were highly fortunate to finish the night with 11 men. Captain Max Meyer, leading with shoulder, absolutely cleaned out Vente in the middle of the park but received only a yellow when there was a real case for it being considered violent conduct. Striker Kemal Ademi then clattered Lewis Miller, one that could have landed him in more bother if VAR had been present.
There could be fireworks to come in a week’s time.
