Dundee 1 Hibernian 2

November 5th 2000
Scottish Premier League
Attendance: 6,604

Scorers:
Hibernian: O'Neil, Zitelli.
Dundee: Tweed.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotsman on Monday 6th November 2000

Zitelli’s rocket fires Hibs to victory

Hibs kept the pressure on SPL leaders Celtic last night, with a hard-fought victory at Dens Park.

The win also eases them further ahead of third place Kilmarnock, with the gap between the pair - who meet at Easter Road on Saturday - now nine points. Although a battling performance by Alex McLeish’s side, the three points were secured by a piece of inspiration from French striker David Zitelli midway through the second half, and a goal destined surely to become goal of the month for November. How the Frenchman had cause to remember, remember this chilly evening in Dundee after his bicycle kick crashed into the net with all the force of any rocket fired into the skies last night.

"A good win, no doubt about that," said McLeish afterwards, again praising the mentality of his side.

"We go into every match believing we can win," said midfielder John O’Neil, who scored his side’s first. How Dundee need some of this confidence, having now lost three games on the trot. Ivano Bonetti’s team have now won only three times in the league this season, and have slipped out of the top six for the first time this season.

So many goals have been scored in this fixture of late, that this seemed the perfect choice for Sky to flash to all corners of Britain on fireworks night. Recent multi-goal victories for Hibs (5-1 and 5-2), and an epic 4-3 match at the start of last season, had the Sky producer hoping that many would flock around television screens in favour of bonfires. So cold was it in Dundee that staying at home was not a bad option, whether title contenders Hibs were in town or not.

Claudio Caniggia might have joined them by the hearthside, if he hadn’t been charged with leading the Dundee attack in his fourth game since his improbable move to Dens Park last month. He had yet another strike partner last night in the shape of Willie Falconer, who was recalled to the Dundee starting line-up having been rendered largely obsolete since

Ivano Bonetti’s Italian invasion. Before the game Caniggia could be seen in earnest conversation with Falconer. He was clearly telling the big striker what was expected of him, just as he did Diego Maradona in other times and other places.

Five minutes later, Caniggia had pulled off the big skiing gloves that he had taken to the field wearing. After an insipid start to the game by Dundee, the inference was, of course, that the gloves were now off, and the real business of halting a two-match losing run was about to begin. Instead, however, it was Hibs who moved up another gear, and edged into the lead in the 17th minute after an almighty mix-up in the home defence involving Patrizio Bilio and most crucially, new goalkeeper Marco Rocatti. Bilio’s back pass was short, but Rocatti might been more competent in his clumsy attempts to gather the ball. Instead, he let Mathias Jack in, and the ball was knocked wide towards the lurking John O’Neil, who had the simplest task of chipping the ball into the unguarded net.

For the next 15 mniutes Hibs seemed fully in control, with a Franck Sauzee free kick almost slipping into the net after another nervy Rocatti moment. Perhaps the sound of rockets fizzing into the Dundee night sky was disturbing him. Still, the Hibs fans were having a ball, with numerous songs about a certain derby win being belted out for the benefit of those Hearts fans up and down the country.

Somehow, though, Dundee gradually managed to claw their way back into the game. Most of their good work was being carried out by Caniggia, and there was little surprise that he played a large part in the Dundee equaliser when it came, in the 33rd minute.

A delightful flick past Paul Fenwick resulted in the defender lunging at the Argentine’s ankles, and a free kick was the result. Giorgi Nemsadze floated the ball into the box, and Steven Tweed came crashing in to head home his first goal of the season. It proved how much Dundee required the solid qualities of men like Tweed, and another Scot, Gavin Rae, should have given Dundee the lead just before half time after an incisive through ball from Caniggia.

Rae’s shot, however, was always rising, and whistled over. At the other end, Zitelli was even closer, driving an effort inches wide from an angle.

While the game could not be described as end to end, it was never boring, although there was a period midway through the second half when thoughts of firing up a catherine wheel did begin to fill the mind. However, Zitelli soon dragged one from such dreaming with a goal plucked straight from one of his own fantasies.

After good work by O’Neil and Latapy on the left, Hibs won a corner. Latapy curled in a cross that was flicked on by Ulrik Laursen, and Zitelli flicked his heels up into the air, and thundered an unstoppable bicycle kick into the Dundee net. It was at the Hibs end, which made their explosion of noise all the more pronounced.

For Dundee, all out attack was the only option in order to save the game, and lodge them back in amongst the top six. The ineffectual Javier Artero was taken off, and Juan Sara brought on. The three-pronged strike force could not provide tyhe goal desperately required by Dundee, although Sara almost emulated Zitelli with an overhead kick at the death that was superbly tipped over the bar by Nick Colgon.
Hibs will this week allow fans to relive the Edinburgh derby hammering of Hearts when they release a video of the win. Six of the Best features the 6-2 triumph which has already gone down in folklore on the East side of the capital, and goes on sale at the Hibernian club shop on Wednesday, priced £11.99.

The Teams:

Hibernian: Colgan, Sauzee, Fenwick, G. Smith, Lovell, Jack, O’Neil, Latapy, Laursen, Paatelainen, Zitelli (Lehmann 76).

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Tale from the Terracing - Fatty's View

Another three points in the bag!

It may not have been the prettiest display of the season from Hibs, but they continue to graft and show a lot of team spirit. They don't give up and continue to believe in their ability - even if this seems misguided when defenders are passing the ball around the penalty area, rather than finding row Z of the stand.

That said, Hibs again were the better team and carved out more, and better, chances than a Dundee team determined to have a go. After taking the lead through John O'Neil (were you watching Mr Brown?) due to a defensive mix up, the majority of the Hibs fans were thinking 'how many'.

Credit to Dundee though, they fought back and for periods they had Hibs penned in their own half. Their persistance was eventually rewarded when Stephen Tweed rose unchallenged to score from a corner.

The second half saw Hibs step up the pace a little and, with 25 minutes to go, David Zittelli scored a beautiful overhead kick from a Latapy corner.

After this the game descended into a constant ebb and flow of attack and counter attack as Dundee pushed for an equaliser and Hibs tried to get the killer third. The best chance fell to Latapy who ran from the half way line, twisting the covering defender this way and that, before narrowly shooting wide.

Roll on next week - Kilmarnock at home, a chance for revenge!

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