Kilmarnock 2-2 Hibernian: Three things we learned
By Laurie Finlayson
An amazing match in the fight for European football (Image: Getty Images)
The spoils were shared as Kilmarnock and Hibernian played out an enthralling 2-2 draw at Rugby Park. Let’s look at what stood out in East Ayrshire:
Armstrong continues to deliver for Killie
Armstrong now has 12 goal involvements in the league this season (Image: Getty Images)
Kilmarnock looked to be almost coasting to victory as they got themselves two goals up. For that, they’ve got Danny Armstong to thank.
The first came after 25 minutes when Hibernian striker Dylan Vente headed the ball into his own net, following a pinpoint cross from Killie’s star man, Armstrong, having been spooked by Corrie Ndaba, who was in close pursuit of the ball. VAR briefly checked as to whether Ndaba fouled the Hibs forward, but the goal stood.
Later in the first period, Armstrong created an opportunity for Matty Kennedy, but the Northern Ireland international put it wide. The visitors had some chances of their own, most notably from Vente (at the other end) and on-loan Bournemouth debutant Emiliano. Killie goalkeeper Keiran O’Hara was untroubled.
Nine minutes into the second half, the home side would double their lead, and Armstrong would supply some creative spark once again. He put in an excellent ball to the back post and Kennedy was on hand to slide in and convert on this occasion, poking the ball beyond David Marshall in the Hibs goal.
Armstrong now has eight Premiership assists to his name this season. The only person to have set up more league goals than him is Celtic’s Luis Palma, and the former Wolves youngster is only one behind the Honduran wide man.
With Kilmarnock 2-0 up, home supporters would have been forgiven for thinking the job was done, but Nick Montgomery’s team had other ideas.
Two top strikes send Hibs home happy
Hibs’ new player Myziane Maolida made a real impression (Image: Getty Images)
Being two goals down, the team from Leith had their work cut out. However, with 66 minutes on the clock, Joe Newell pulled one back with a long-range volley.
This gave the visitors the lift they needed, and they continued to play on the front foot.
Emiliano and fellow new signing Myziane Maolida caused the home side real problems. The latter used his pace to good effect to open the game up after coming off the bench.
Hibs continued to create chances, but O’Hara was proving to be tough to beat for a second time as the Irish international pulled off some superb saves.
Kilmarnock were controversially reduced to 10 men after 73 minutes after Ndaba was given his marching orders for a challenge on Hibs winger Jair Tavares. Referee Grant Irvine played advantage following the incident. He pulled the play back and booked the Killie left-back, only for VAR official, Nick Walsh to intervene and recommend that Irvine consulted the replays. He then subsequently sent off Ndaba. This resulted in Derek McInnes sacrificing Armstrong in favour of Robbie Deas to fill the Ndaba-shaped void. It was at this point that Hibs could smell blood.
With an extra player, Hibs’ pressure eventually paid off and they drew themselves level. Maolida scored his first Hibees goal in only his second game, nine minutes from time to secure a point. The goal came from a hopeful long ball, but the on-loan Hertha Berlin winger was simply too quick for the Kilmarnock back line to handle, having got himself in behind to slot the ball beyond O’Hara.
VAR grabs the headlines again
VAR is in the headlines again (Image: Getty Images)
More often than not, supporters come away from matches debating about refereeing decisions, and that was the case before VAR was introduced. Almost every week, game-changing decisions are being made by officials in Clydesdale House, and this match was no different.
For a brief spell, it looked like Kilmarnock and Hibernian fans would get a reprieve from VAR as the system was not working at 15:00. However, kick-off was delayed by a few minutes and the technical issues were resolved.
The red card received by Kilmarnock’s number three was surprising more than anything, given that VAR was brought in to eradicate ‘clear and obvious’ errors. The referee played advantage, and without video assistance, a referee cannot play advantage if it is an incident of serious foul play. The man in the middle did not deem Ndaba’s challenge on Tavares to be dangerous enough, only for VAR to overrule him. After the match, a frustrated Derek McInnes said: "Corrie's won the ball, his foot is low. I was frustrated when the referee gave a yellow card. I don't think there's anything else he can do with his foot after he's won the ball.”
The likelihood is that Ndaba will serve a two-match suspension as a result.
Love it or loathe it, VAR is here to stay, but we’d much rather be discussing pieces of individual brilliance or skill as opposed to contentious refereeing decisions.