Hibernian beat Livingston at 10 with David Marshall also saving two quick-fire penalties in an action-packed Scottish Premiership cracker.
Livi’s Jason Holt saw red early on before goals from Kevin Nisbet, Chris Cadden and Kyle Maggenis put the Easter Road side ahead 3-0 at the break.
Magennis then netted his second header of the game after the break, before Livingston saw successive penalties incredibly saved by Marshall.
The Hibs pass Livingston in seventh.
The game’s key moment came after 14 minutes when Holt slipped in and caught Nisbet with his follow-up. Livi’s midfield turned red and the Hibs took full advantage of their power play.
Ryan Porteous’s free-kick from the edge of the box is then pushed back by Ivan Konovalov, but only in the path of Nisbet, whose shot goes through the near post.
And just 74 seconds later, Hibs doubled their lead. Nisbet released Cadden down the right side, and the full-back fired a low shot into the far corner.
Hibs boss Lee Johnson celebrated happily with his staff, while David Martindale cut a desperate figure in the opposite dugout. Things would soon go from bad to worse for him.
Magennis apparently had the freedom of Leith as he strolled through Livingston’s box to bring home Elie Youan’s innocuous cross. He wrapped up the three points for the hosts before half-time, and things continued in the same vein after the break as Magennis nodded again.
Livingston posed virtually no threat at the other end but was lucky enough to grab some late consolation when Marijan Cabraja brought down Esmael Goncalves just inside the box.
Goncalves came forward, but Marshall lunged to his left to save a rather tame kick.
In the aftermath, the ball bounced and hit Joe Newell in the arm, and referee Craig Napier was quick to point the spot again, allowing Marshall to deny Jack Fitzwatwer this time.
Player of the Match – Kyle Magennis
Hibs ease the pressure with well-deserved win – analysis
Johnson came into this game having seen Hibs lose seven of their last eight league games, knowing that another mistake today would put his position as manager under serious threat.
His team, however, proved themselves and, although against 10 men, looked dangerous every time they advanced. Nisbet’s presence up front provided them with a much-needed focal point. The much-maligned Elie Youan also stepped up his assists – how Hibs could do with more of that from him.
For Livi, it was an afternoon where nothing went well. They capitulated after the red card, and even when they were offered two late gifts, they couldn’t enjoy them.
More soon.
