After an even opening quarter of an hour, the game we took complete control following a straight red card for Jason Holt reduced the visitors to ten men.
Kevin Nisbet and Chris Cadden both scored during a quick-fire spell where we grabbed two goals in as many minutes to put ourselves firmly on course to collect all three points.
Two-headed goals from Kyle Magennis either side of the half-time interval added icing to the cake.
Incredibly, Livingston were awarded two spot kicks in the closing moments only for David Marshall to save both to thwart Esmael Goncalves and Jack Fitzwater and deny them even a consolation effort.
Hibs Boss, Lee Johnson made one change from the side that faced Rangers in our last outing with Lewis Stevenson starting in place of Marijan Cabraja, who dropped to the bench.
Both clubs gave their support to Shelter Scotland’s #NoHomeKit campaign by wearing their change strips – Livingston wore all-white whilst we wore our all-black, third kit.
We started very brightly and inside ten seconds wonderful footwork from Elie Youan saw him drive into the Lions' box and flash a low delivery across the face of goal, just out of reach of Nisbet.
Moments later, Nisbet was sent clean through on goal only for his shot to be saved by Ivan Konovalov at the crucial moment.
On 13 minutes the visitors went close when Dylan Bahamboula skipped away from Joe Newell before dragging an angled strike just wide of David Marshall’s far post.
At the other end, Youan caused more problems for the Lions when he chopped inside and his powerful right foot shot was beaten away by Konovalov with Magennis scooping the rebound over the crossbar.
Livingston were reduced to ten men in the 15th minute when Holt slid in studs-up on Nisbet. Referee Napier immediately flashed the red card and after a short VAR check, his decision stood.
We immediately set about utilising our one-man advantage and had the ball in the Lions' net when Nisbet turned in Cadden’s drive from close range only for his celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.
Goalkeeper Konovalov then had to touch a dipping Nisbet free kick over his crossbar at full-stretch as we pressed for an opening goal.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 32 minutes when Ryan Porteous’ powerful free-kick could only be parried away by Konovalov and Nisbet was on hand to smash it high into the Livi net for his second goal in as many games.
Two minutes later we scored again as Cadden’s wonderful, angled drive flew past the despairing Konovalov and into the far corner of the net.
David Martindale’s side has been renowned in recent years for being well-drilled and having rock-solid defensive resilience, yet they were in danger of collapsing in the aftermath of Holt’s red card.
Indeed, it would only get worse for them when Magennis ghosted into the middle of their box to head home unchallenged from Youan’s delivery on 40 minutes.
Youan was having a fine afternoon and the only thing missing from his performance was a goal. His direct style of play was causing the Lions all manner of problems and just before half-time he almost scored with a fine strike from 20 yards that flashed just wide.
Former Hibee Stephane Omeonga replaced Stephen Kelly at half-time for the visitors however the change did little to alter the balance of play as we again took control of the match.
Following a short corner on 50 minutes Youan’s pin-point delivery was glanced into the far corner of the net by Magennis for his second goal of the afternoon and our fourth overall.
Magennis, now on a hat-trick, tried his luck with a long-range free kick that Konovalov did well to hold onto before the Livi keeper thwarted Youan soon after.
Johnston replaced Hanlon and Rocky at the back with Ewan Henderson and Will Fish for the final third of the game. Porteous partnering Fish at the back, whilst Henderson moved into midfield.
We also replaced goal scorers Nisbet and Magennis with Elias Melkersen and Harry McKirdy. The substitutes were quickly involved and nearly added a fifth goal.
McKirdy did well to find the run of Cadden on the right flank, Cadds got his head up and picked out Henderson - but unfortunately, the midfielder couldn't divert his effort on target.
Moments later a sensational ball over the top by Newell found the run of Youan driving in from the left wing and his near post shot was beaten away once again by Konovalov as the keeper continued to deny the on-form striker.
Incredibly, against the run of play, Livingston were awarded a penalty kick when Čabraja was adjudged to have fouled Goncalves inside the area.
The former Hearts striker took the kick himself and was thwarted by Marshall, who tipped his shot onto the post only for Shinnie’s follow-up to strike the arm of Newell and the Lions were awarded a second spot-kick!
This time Fitzwater took responsibility for the kick only for Marsh to deny him too – saving with his legs as his name rang out around Easter Road - the Hibs faithful showing their appreciation for their skipper.
In time added on Melkersen netted from Cabraja’s cross, however for the second time this afternoon we were denied by the offside flag.
That proved to be the final action of note as Craig Napier’s whistle brought to an end a convincing and welcome home win as the boys bounced back in style.
Hibernian: Marshall, Hanlon (Fish 62’), Porteous, Magennis (McKirdy 70’), Newell, Cadden, Nisbet (Melkersen 70’), Stevenson (Cabraja 76’), Youan, Campbell, Rocky (Henderson 62’).
Substitutes not used: Schofield, Kenneh, Mitchell, McGeady.
Livingston: Konovalov, Devlin (Penrice 74’), Obileye, Fitzwater, Montano (Boyes 65’), Holt, Shinnie, Kelly (Omeonga 46’), Pittman, Bahamboula (Longridge 27’), Anderson (Goncalves 74’).
Substitutes not used: Hamilton, Cancar, Kelly.
Referee: Craig Napier.
Attendance: 15,260.
