Hibernian 2
Dundee 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from The Courier .

With only around 5000 at this bottom of the table clash last night, George Best probably collected more cash than the opposing club. But on this showing George was worth every penny of his high wages.

In the first half he dominated the play with brilliance seldom seen in Scottish football.

He scored one super goal, laid on another and inspired and cajoled Hibs to a standard far removed from the bottom of the table.

It was Hibs' happiest 45 minutes for a long time and in that spell the points were sewn up.

Dundee, who have often played better, fought all the way in the second half and could still feel a bit peeved that they had to be the victims of this best of Best.

Maybe it has all come too late to save Hibs from the drop, but they have certainly put Dundee in more serious trouble with this result.

Dundee were without central defender Bobby Glennie, who injured a foot in a fall at home. The visitors soon showed their intentions to attack. Fleming's head just failed to connect properly with a strong, curling cross from Barr.

The ball beat McArthur, but went past the post.

Then, in eight minutes, the crowd went into raptures as George Best produced some of his old dribbling magic before sending a fierce shot wide.

In 21 minutes, Schaedler tackled Best in full flight. George went tumbling on to the track, and the Dundee man was booked.

Hibs went ahead four minutes later and almost inevitably it was that man Best who did the trick. He took a through ball from McNamara, put in another devastating dribble, and then sent a low, left-foot shot past Donaldson for a magnificent goal.

Hibs and their fans were now on top of the world. Dundee went through a sticky spell, but kept their cool better than the home attackers who became much too excited to cash in on their moves.

At the other end, Fleming rose to a MacLaren free kick but McArthur easily saved the header. Then Sinclair had a free shot at goal missing by a foot. Dundee, with less fuss, were making openings too.

But three minutes from the interval Hibs struck again. It started with Cormack intercepting a Mackie pass, the ball went to Best, who put through an immaculate pass for Murray to score.

Dundee's only hope was to have a real go in the second half. Corrigan tried a shot in the opening minute, McArthur saving at full stretch.

Up popped Best with a back heeler to Murray in front of the other goal. Donaldson did well to smother the shot.

The keeper then had to dive and hold a Torrance header following a free kick. When Dundee attacked again, a dipping cross from Fleming had McArthur worried.

There were a few hectic scenes in Donaldson's goal mouth, including a penalty claim when a Best shot appeared to hit a hand.

In 63 minutes, Murphy replaced Corrigan in the visitors ranks. The wee forward soon forced McArthur to dive at his feet to save.

Dundee pushed forward with determination. McArthur watched a Schaedler cross bounce off the angle of bar and post.

Flagging Hibs sent on Hutchinson for Torrance and almost lost a goal in 75 minutes. McArthur couldn't hold a Murphy effort and the ball broke to Fleming who shot towards the empty net. Unfortunately for Dundee, Rae was on the line to head clear.

Hibs had more dicy moments in defence as Dundee attacked with determination, but without finishing power.