Hibernian lost 2-1 to Falkirk at Easter Road on Saturday, a damaging home defeat that sees the club drop to 12th place in the Premiership standings. Jacob Murrell scored twice for the visitors, with Owen Elding's reply for Hibs proving insufficient.
Falkirk took the lead after 13 minutes. Ryan Strain played a through ball for Murrell, who struck a right-footed shot from outside the box. The striker doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, meeting a cross from Ethan Ross. Hibernian pulled a goal back four minutes later when Felix Passlack's delivery was chested home by Owen Elding, a goal confirmed by VAR after a handball check.
Hibernian's attacking struggles
Despite dominating 70% of possession and having 17 attempts, Hibernian managed only three shots on target. Martin Boyle, the club's top scorer this season with three goals, was denied by Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain in the first half. Jamie McGrath later forced a terrific save from Bain, while a late Owen Eames effort was cleared off the line. A key moment came in the 54th minute when a Hibernian penalty award for a foul on Thibault Klidje was overturned by VAR and reduced to a free-kick just outside the box, which Martin Mayor fired over.
Where it leaves Hibs
This result extends Hibernian's winless run at home and leaves them with just seven points from their opening eight league games. Their recent form shows one win, one draw and three losses from the last five, a sequence that includes consecutive defeats. The gap to league leaders Celtic now stands at 14 points. Manager Marink Reedijk made three changes from the side that lost at Dundee United, bringing in Azeem Abdulai, Adam Mayor and Martin Boyle. The manager confirmed post-match that defender Thibault Klidje suffered a hamstring strain and will be assessed, while midfielder Azeem Abdulai was substituted at half-time due to a tight calf.
Reedijk described the performance as "unacceptable in key moments" and stated the team's confidence is low.
The defeat is a significant setback ahead of a daunting next fixture fixtures. Hibernian host Celtic at Easter Road on Sunday, 25 October. The team will need to find a cutting edge quickly, having scored only eight goals all season while conceding twelve.
