DAYS OF THE JEKYLL
Lenny lays off Hibs this time but case for his defence is still flimsy in another hit and miss performance
ANTHONY STOKES slammed home a penalty seven minutes from time to sink Livingston and book a fifth major cup semi-final place in 18 months for Hibs.
The Irishman’s winner settled a five-goal Betfred Cup quarter-final thriller last night.
But Neil Lennon’s men had to do it the hard way as David Hopkin’s Championship side twice took the lead in the first half with goals by Alan Lithgow and Raffaele De Vita.
However, those strikes were cancelled out by equalisers from Danny Swanson and Man of the Match Martin Boyle before Stokes sealed Hibs’ place in the draw for the semis.
Lennon had lambasted his side and accused them of producing a “Jekyll and Hyde” performance following last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Motherwell.
But he was happier after this game. He said: “We were excellent, we could have scored three in the first 10 minutes. There is no criticism of the players this time.
“Their second was a great goal but the first was poor from us as we worked on set-pieces all this week. But we dealt with it and the character of the team shone through.
“We had good control of the game for long periods. Danny Swanson was outstanding and his finish was brilliant.
“We scored two beautiful goals and also got the penalty which Stokesy put away. We have a big semi-final draw to look forward to now.
“I am proud of the fact that this is the fifth major cup semi-final that we have reached out of the last six.
“I can’t say too much about the penalty but Bobby Madden was right on it. David Hopkin may say it was a bit soft but I didn’t get a great view of it.
“David Gray has a hamstring injury and could be out for a couple of weeks so I might have to give Johan Mjallby a ring and see if his knees have healed yet!”
Lennon had promised to ring the changes and he was true to his word. Out went Ofir Marciano, Steven Whittaker, Simon Murray and Brandon Barker with Ross Laidlaw, Vykintas Slivka, Danny Swanson and Lewis Stevenson all drafted back in as Hibs chased their first victory in five matches.
David Hopkin’s side, in their first League Cup quarter-final since 2006, came to Easter Road in fine fettle after last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Inverness.
And it was Livingston who stunned their hosts on nine minutes when they took the lead. Marvin Bartley gave away a free-kick 40 yards from goal out on the left touchline. De Vita floated the set-piece over and Lithgow glanced a fine header into the roof of Laidlaw’s net – and the ex-Hearts star certainly enjoyed his moment.
Hibs suffered a further blow when David Gray limped off to be replaced by Whittaker after just 13 minutes.
However, Hibs got back on level terms on 18 minutes. Swanson curled a right-foot shot into Neil Alexander’s net from 18 yards after Whittaker fed Boyle and the winger cut the ball back into the midfield man’s path. It was the lifelong Hibee’s first goal for the club.
This was turning into a humdinger of a cup-tie as Livi went ahead for the second time on 28 minutes.
Dale Carrick headed the ball down to De Vita who smashed home a screamer from the edge of the box that went in via the underside of the crossbar.
But Livi’s joy was short-lived as Hibs equalised again on 32 minutes. John McGinn fired in a long-range free-kick that went wide but referee Bobby Madden deemed it had taken a deflection and awarded a corner kick which angered the Lions.
And they had even more reason to get upset when, from the resultant set-piece, Boyle lashed a low eight-yard drive past Alexander to make it 2-2.
Livi boss Hopkin was then forced into an early substitution
when the influential De Vita went off injured to be replaced by Jackson Longridge two minutes before the interval.
After the break the visitors made a second change on 55 minutes when Josh Mullin replaced Matthew Knox just before Craig Halkett got the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Swanson.
The home fans were getting agitated with a shock still very much on the cards as we reached the hour mark.
Hopkin then made his final substitution on 61 minutes when Keaghan Jacobs made way for Danny Mullen. Boyle then made room for a shot that was deflected over for a Hibs corner which came to nothing.
The hosts needed a spark of invention and Lennon called on Dylan McGeouch, who replaced Slivka on 66 minutes.
Whittaker then curled an effort wide as Hibs looked to take the lead for the first time in the contest and Stokes sent one wide on 69 minutes.
With extra-time looming Hibs who got the chance to go ahead on 82 minutes when on-loan Hearts defender Todorov was adjudged to have bundled over Paul Hanlon in the box.
Madden pointed to the spot and Stokes drilled in a low effort to make it 3-2.
That proved to be the winner and Hibs will now take their place in the hat for Thursday night’s semi-final draw at Fir Park.
Livingston boss David Hopkin said: “I’m disappointed. We competed well and scored two magnificent goals.
“We gave away a very sloppy first goal but the second was embarrassing to say the least. It wasn’t a corner and Hibs managed to score from it. “Some of Bobby’s decisions tonight baffled me. “I didn’t think it was a penalty either, it was soft. The linesman didn’t give it and there were 10 seconds before he gave it. “That penalty put us out the cup but take nothing away from Hibs. They’re a great side but we put on a good show.”