Kieron Bowie curls in Hibernian's secondSNS

Kieron Bowie had only scored once since September before today

At a glance

  • Boyle's penalty puts Hibernian ahead before Bowie's double, one either side of the half-time whistle

  • The hosts move fourth and open up a three-point gap on Falkirk

  • Ross had second-half goal for Falkirk ruled out for offside

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Sportscene highlights: Hibernian v Falkirk

06/12/2025 2000

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Hibernian strengthened their position in the top six of the Scottish Premiership and shrugged chasers Falkirk aside in a comfortable win at Easter Road.

The hosts dominated the first half and got their just rewards when Martin Boyle scored from the spot, having been tripped by Filip Lissah.

Five minutes later, they'd doubled their lead. Kieron Bowie had taken a touch that seemingly killed Hibs' flowing move dead, but with his second touch he curled a beauty beyond Scott Bain.

The second half was a different story. Clearly comfortable with their lead, Hibs sat back and allowed Falkirk to attack them.

It almost stung them, when Ethan Ross tried to spring the offside trap and slotted it under the keeper. After a VAR review, the goal was quickly chalked off.

Falkirk continued to press but they were caught on the counter, allowing Bowie to double his tally for the afternoon as he tucked in Josh Campbell's cross.

Hibs rise to fourth and remain just two points behind high-flying Motherwell, while Falkirk drop down to seventh after Aberdeen's win over Dundee.

The Edinburgh side temporarily moved into fourth prior to Rangers' win at Rugby Park, but remain within two points of the Ibrox side and Motherwell.

Analysis: First half floors Falkirk as Hibs hit heights

Falkirk boss John McGlynn spoke about how consistent his side had been in recent weeks. Today, he saw a very different performance from his starting XI.

Despite welcoming back key players Calvin Miller, Ethan Williams and Ross, his side still looked sluggish and never got going in the first half.

Instead, Hibs had the visitors camped in their own box while Josh Mulligan ran the show. When Falkirk could get near him, they fouled him, with three Bairns players booked in the first 45 for challenges on the Hibs midfielder.

Remember, this is a Falkirk side that have only lost twice in the last 10 with defeats coming to Hearts and Celtic, the top two sides in the league.

Meanwhile, Hibs had lost their last two and the inconsistent start to the campaign had threatened to plague them.

But they were on top form in the first half, even with Jamie McGrath seemingly starting at left wing-back in the absence of the injured Jordan Obita and Nicky Cadden.

Attacking stats from the first half of Hibernian v FalkirkOpta

Attacking stats from the first half of Hibernian v Falkirk

The second half was maybe a little more worrying for Hibs fans. After their controlled display, they sat off and on a different day, Falkirk might have punished them.

Ross had his goal chalked off and also forced a superb save from Raphael Sallinger, who made five saves throughout the match. Alfie Agyeman came on at the break and immediately created more of a threat.

But it was not to be and Hibs proved clinical when Bowie got his second, one of only three second-half efforts that the hosts had.

What next?

Hibernian wait until next Monday (15 December) to play Rangers at Ibrox in 19:45 KO, while Falkirk play Hearts next Saturday (13 December) in a later kick-off (20:00 GMT).

Player of the match

J. Mulligan
8.48
20 J. Mulligan
8.48
9 K. Bowie
8.23
10 M. Boyle
7.83
17 J. McGrath
7.83
33 R. Bushiri
7.77
1 R. Sallinger
7.58
14 M. Chaiwa
7.31
15 J. Iredale
7.05
22 D. Barlaser
6.97
32 J. Campbell
6.94
5 W. O'Hora
6.87
12 C. Cadden
6.64
11 J. Newell
6.45
7 É. Youan
6.21
27 K. Megwa
6.14
6 D. Levitt
5.96
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