Bottom-placed Livingston suffered a seventh straight cinch Premiership defeat as Martin Boyle’s first-half goal gave Hibernian a 1-0 win at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
In a match played in terrible conditions, the forward’s composed finish was the stand-out moment of quality as he bent a low shot into the far corner from 15 yards, after the ball had broken kindly to him in the box.
The visitors also saw Dylan Vente’s goal chalked off by VAR but Livingston improved after the hour mark and they came close themselves through Bruce Anderson.
However, they could not force the equaliser as they remain at the foot of the table, five points adrift of 11th-placed St Johnstone.
Livi boss David Martindale made two changes after their last outing against St Mirren, bringing in Ayo Obileye and Jamie Brandon in place of Joel Nouble and Anderson.
Hibs manager Nick Montgomery opted to make four alterations after the midweek defeat to Celtic, drafting in Rory Whittaker, Paul Hanlon, Jordan Obita and Vente.
It was a cagey start to the match, with Sean Kelly having the first effort of note in the 15th minute but his left-footed shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide.
Hibernian had not offered too much as an attacking threat but they took the lead with their first shot of the match in the 28th minute.
There was an element of fortune as Elie Youan’s attempted pass was deflected perfectly into the path of Boyle, who showed great composure to place the ball into the bottom right corner of Shamal George’s goal.
Hibs were looking dangerous in behind and they almost doubled their lead just before the break as Jair Tavares’ lofted through ball released Vente but the striker tugged his left-footed shot wide of the target.
The away side thought they had made it 2-0 just after the break, but this time it was VAR who came to Livingston’s rescue.
Vente was involved again, nodding in at the back post after Whittaker’s cross bounced awkwardly over George. However, following a lengthy review, the striker was adjudged to have been offside when the ball was crossed.
Livingston were also slightly fortunate moments later as referee Grant Irvine opted to show Obileye only a yellow card when the defender brought down the lively Boyle who was breaking forward.
The hosts had been poor but they came to life after the hour mark. First, Sean Kelly tested David Marshall with a low shot from the edge of the area before Scott Pittman’s rebound was well blocked.
Marshall then made an even better stop in the 67th minute, coming off his line to block a close-range effort from Livi substitute Anderson in the centre of the box.
Another replacement, Stephen Kelly, was next to try his luck and he saw his left-footed attempt from the edge of the box deflected just wide after Joe Newell had given the ball away.
In swirling wind and rain, Livingston continued to throw balls forward and deep into added time they almost got their reward in a dramatic conclusion.
Mo Sangare’s shot was saved by Marshall and the ball also appeared to strike Hanlon’s arm in the box but – following a VAR review – the play was eventually brought back for an offside as Hibs held on for a hard-fought victory.
Spain must 'stick to football' at Euro 2024 - De la Fuente
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has urged the national side to concentrate on their football at Euro 2024 and block out the noise surrounding the RFEF.
Former RFEF president Luis Rubiales was dismissed following his unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy ceremony in 2023 and was then arrested in early April as part of a corruption investigation.
Pedro Rocha, who was initially named as Rubiales’ replacement, is also under investigation amid the corruption probe.
The RFEF then created a special committee at the end of April, led by former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, to oversee the federation until there is an official election for their next president.
However, De la Fuente told Reuters that he wants his squad’s full attention on the tournament itself.
He said: "We have to concern ourselves with purely, strictly sporting matters - which we have enough of.
"We have to focus on what we can control. This is very, very basic, but it's very real. Stick to football.
"I'm concerned about how the facilities are going to be, the training camp, the pitches, the travel. And on the pitch, because the players know that we are going to be judged for what we do on the pitch.
"Everything else, all the media noise that exists around us, is not going to help us. So then we have to be totally and absolutely focused on what is, for us, the most important thing: the competition."
Spain will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia in Group B on June 15. Their pool also includes Italy and Albania.
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation
Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.
United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.
While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.
The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.
And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.
"They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.
"The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.
"I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.
Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.
Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.
"In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.
"Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."
Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.
Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.
"Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.
"I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."
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