It's been a long time coming, but Stuart Lovell finally made it into the limelight at Easter Road, giving a great performance, scoring a stunning goal and wait for it - lapping up the applause. To cap it all, when the man-of-the-match announcement came over the tannoy (as usual, with a full 15 minutes still to go) we were treated to a departure from the customary, 'Latapy or Sauzee this week ?' as Stuart scooped that prize as well. Heady days for Lovell at Easter Road.

To be honest it is about time that the plaudits were shared round a bit more because this Hibs side plays as a real team, with everyone knowing their role and contributing. It had to be a good team performance as well because I felt St.Johnstone played well and we had to fight and compete for everything throughout the ninety minutes. The difference between the teams was simply that we have more players who can show just that little bit of flair that makes all the difference. Whereas the Saints relied heavily on young Parker to sniff out a goal, we probed for openings all over the park.

St. Johnstone actually started quicker than Hibs and dominated possession for about fifteen minutes before we got going. Keigan Parker was living up to his reputation as a hot striker despite Fenwick and Sauzee dishing out some hefty challenges. The nearest he got to goal however was an instance when he rounded Fenwick but showed too much of the ball to Colgan who dived at his feet before he could shoot.

Hibs gradually took control and the game was played more and more in the Saints half as the game wore on. Latapy, who is in great form just now, was proving untouchable to his would-be markers and looked the most likely to set up a chance. He seemed to be about to score himself when he played a one-two into the box with Paatelainen before getting his shot away but Main saved well.

The first half was drawing towards a close when Lovell changed the nature of the game. Attacking McCulloch on the edge of the box he turned one way and then the other before curling an inch perfect left-foot shot over Main and high into the top corner. A sublime moment and it allowed Hibs to go in at half time with their tails up.

The second half saw St. Johnstone's challenge beginning to wain with the Saints attack now very quiet and most of the decent attacking being done by Hibs. Despite this, Parker did have one great effort on goal. Fenwick made a mistake just inside the box, when the ball stuck between his legs. Parker robbed him and tried an almost identical effort to the one that Lovell had scored, forcing Colgan to make a great one-handed save.

After this, it was always going to be Hibs who scored next. The whole team looked on form and you weren't sure where the goal might come from but it was expected nevertheless. Lovell had a great chance to score again when a lung-bursting run was spotted by Latapy who put him in with an inch perfect pass. Unfortunately Main was quick enough off his line to smother the attempted finish.

The second finally arrived after about 75 minutes and it had all the hallmarks of a training ground move. Sauzee swung in a vivious near post cross from a free kick and Paatelainen through himself at it to glance the ball past Main who had no chance. Double figures for big Mixu and who knows how many he might score this season.

Hibs had two more great chances to add to this scoreline. Firstly Zitelli was put right through, again by Latapy. He tried to lift the ball over the outrushing keeper but only succeeded in paying it into his arms. After this, Latapy himself looked sure to score when he dribbled right through to Main but then chose to keep dribbling rather than get a shot away.

An impressive all-round performance from Hibernian and well appreciated by the 10,000 or so crowd.

Hibs Team 3-5-2

Subs not used : Franks, Murray, Lehmann, McManus