Hibs 2 - Killie 1

Disappointing result but we dominated the game but a lack of creativity and poor goalkeeping cost us.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53535017

Hibernian held off a Kilmarnock fight-back as Martin Boyle's double ensured they began their Scottish Premiership campaign with victory.

Boyle's predatory strikes gave Hibs a commanding lead, as he rounded keeper Jake Eastwood to score before thumping home from the right angle of the box.

Chris Burke lashed in a glorious free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

That sparked a strong second half for Kilmarnock, but they could not find an equaliser.

Reaction & as it happened
Who is impressing? Rate the players at Easter Road
Ofir Marciano leaped to his left to prevent Paul Hanlon flicking into his own net, while Danny Whitehall looped a header over the bar in the dying minutes.

This was an entertaining opening-day contest, Kilmarnock enjoying long spells in possession and proving especially dangerous down the flanks, while Hibs' technicians lacerated them on the counter-attack.

Nisbet sent Boyle galloping through in the fourth minute, the striker taking advantage of Eastwood's ill-advised 20-yard dash from goal to skip past the goalkeeper and calmly finish.

The Australian international pounced again half an hour later after being teed up by a swaggering run and lay-off from Scott Allan.

Burke's thunderous, laced drive brought Kilmarnock roaring back, but while their crosses into the Hibs box often gave the hosts palpitations, they were unable to apply a killer touch.

What did we learn?
Jack Ross' men had no issues finding the net last season, but were woefully soft at the back, shipping only two fewer goals than bottom side Hearts. Alex Gogic added steel to the midfield and 18-year-old Josh Doig was a composed presence on debut down the left. With virtually the same personnel in defence, though, Hibs still looked vulnerable to crosses.

They put their bodies on the line when it mattered, though. Having squandered nine leads last term, they will take the three points and run. But on this evidence, there are still defensive frailties to address.

For much of the game, Kilmarnock bossed possession, popping the ball around neatly in midfield. They were disciplined and brave in those moments, but the worry for Alex Dyer will be adding ruthlessness to promising build-up.

Too often, the visitors lacked a defence-bamboozling pass, a telling turn of pace, or a clinical finish. That was the difference.