Martin Boyle produced a man-of-the-match display, scoring a stunning second-half brace as Hibernian recorded a big win in the Scottish Premiership overnight.
In just his second start of the campaign as he continues his return to full fitness after a long-term injury, the Caltex Socceroos winger was the hero in the home side’s 3-0 win.
After a dreary first-half at Easter Road, Boyle almost single-handedly inspired his side to victory with a quickfire double in the space of 16 minutes.
First he got on the end of Scott Allan’s through-ball to take the ball beyond the keeper and then slot it into an empty net.
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Allan was again the creator of Boyle’s second, again releasing the Aussie winger who then had to hold off a defender before sliding the ball past the keeper.
Boyle then had a hand in Hibs’ third, giving the ball to Flo Kamberi on the left, with the striker cutting inside, evading two challenges and slamming the ball beyond the gloveman.
Boyle’s sublime display not only moved Hibs up to sixth on the ladder but is superb but is great news for the Caltex Socceroos ahead of a huge 2020 which includes FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Copa America.
Irvine inspires Hull City comeback
Jackson Irvine’s Hull City have moved within three points of the play-off places after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Stoke City.
The Tigers trailed 1-0 but prevailed thanks to a Jarrod Bowen double, with the Caltex Socceroos midfielder heavily involved in the winner.
It was Irvine’s powerful header which was only parried by Jack Butland, allowing Bowen to pounce to clinch the points and propel Hull into the top-half of the ladder.
“It was a great turnaround and all-round performance I thought. It was obviously disappointing to lose the early goal but apart from that I thought our general play was really good,” Irvine said.
“We came in at halftime and we knew if we came out with a good display then we were capable of winning the game.
“For 20, 25 minutes of the second half it was some of the best football we’ve played all season.”
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Owls move into the top six
Massimo Luongo’s Sheffield Wednesday enjoyed a crucial 2-1 win over Brentford, with the Caltex Socceroos playmaker coming off the bench in the second half.
Luongo played the last 12 minutes as the Owls jumped into the play-off positions as Stephen Fletcher’s double saw off the ‘Bees at Hillsborough.
Kenny Dougall was an unused sub as his Barnsley went down 3-2 away at Cardiff City.
In League One, Mark Milligan’s Southend United squandered a 2-0 half-time lead as they lost 4-2 against Bristol Rovers.
There was also a defeat for Harry Souttar’s Fleetwood Town, who were outgunned 3-1 by Blackpool.
In Germany, Brandon Borrello watched from the bench as his Freiburg overcame Wolfsburg 1-0.
The result lifts the club up to fifth on the Bundesliga ladder, above champions Bayern Munich.
And in Serbia, Milos Degenek started from the bench as Red Star beat Spartak Subotica 3-1 to open up a 10-point lead at the top of the ladder.
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