Why are an increasing number of our opponents at Easter Road choosing to wear Aberdeen strips ? We have had Rangers, Aberdeen - surprisingly enough, and now Dunfermline turning up in red. One of life's great mysteries.

This was one of the most comfortable afternoons Hibs are likely to have in the confines of the tightly competitive Scottish Premier League. The writing was on the wall for Dunfermline from the kick-off and when Matthei was red-carded at 1-0 down after only thirty minutes, it was all over for the Fifers.

Hibs look to be back in the groove after a shaky November and this was the type of match that adds confidence to the team. A good sign that we are well on top in a match is when Sauzee starts wandering up field at every opportunity looking for a goal. So it was in this match, with Hibs so much on top at times that he could have wandered over to chat with the crowd if he had fancied it, without putting the team in much danger.

Dunfermline's injury list left them sorely stretched and their plan of coming to sit back was thrown into confusion when Hibs took the lead after only five minutes. A first goal it was for Ulrik Laursen who bundled his way into the Dunfermline box, shrugging off challenges, before dispatching right-footed. It has been a long wait for the Dane and he showed his relief in an ecstatic celebration.

One goal is never enough to feel comfortable and it was always going to be a question of patience from Hibs in breaking down a tight, defensive formation. Hibs dominated possession with their customary passing game and just kept probing for the second. This seemed to have come when slick interpassing ended with a ball across the six yard line to O'Neil but he somehow managed to put his effort past the post when it looked easier to score.

I have to say that the Hibs crowd have become accustomed to the passing game and show a lot more patience than they used to. It seemed a while back that some supporters would never accept that just keeping possession requires a lot of technical skill throughout the side and is worthwhile simply because the team that has the ball more often has a higher likelihood of doing something with it. Personally, I think it is great to watch Hibs keeping the ball and the other team chasing round desperately, even if that requires a certain amount of back passing.

The crowd should be commended for a couple of other things as well. They are at last warming to Stuart Lovell's contribution to the team and he had a great game, getting up and down the park with tremendous energy and taking the right option nearly every time. He earned a lot of applause. The crowd also game a warm round of applause to Lehmann when he came out to warm up and that is exactly what he needs - encouragement.

Matthei's sending off was a mystery to most of the people round where I was sitting so the referee should be commended for seeing the incident when the Dunfermline player aimed a kick at Stuart Lovell, and missed by the way.

Ian Porterfield, manager of Trinidad and Tobago, was in the main stand at this match and his captain, Russell Latapy, turned on the style on the pitch with one of his scintillating displays - when he is on this form, he is pure magic to watch. His setting up of Hibs' second goal was a case in point as he skinned first a defender and then the keeper before rolling the ball across goal where David Zitelli tapped in. We did not see a Zitelli T-shirt celebration as the Frenchman clearly fely the goal belonged to Latapy.

The scoring was rounded off by Paatelainen, again put through by a Latapy pass. The goalkeeper looked favourite but hesitated before coming and Mixu poked it past him into the corner of the net.

McLeish took the opportunity to give the subs a run-out, replacing both strikers with Lehmann and McManus and then Latapy with Lyndon Andrews. Hibs coasted through the rest of the match as Dunfermline had largely given up by this point, although they threw on umpteen substitutes.

Lovell looked to be rounding off a great afternoon when he passed his way in to close range in the box but Ruttenbeick made a great point blank save and the keeper promptly followed that up with another from McManus.

Latapy was announced as man of the match but personally I would have given it to Stuart Lovell for continuous improvement and a great showing in this match.

Hibs Team 3-5-2

Subs not used : Franks, Murray