Two goals in the opening 11 minutes saw in-form Inverness comfortably brush aside Hibernian and extend their unbeaten run in the Bank of Scotland Premier League to eight games.

Barry Wilson broke the deadlock in the eighth minute when his shot from 18 yards beat Zbigniew Malkowski with the aid of a deflection.

But the Hibs goalkeeper then gifted Craig Dargo a second, three minutes later as Caley celebrated the 500th game of their short history in style.

Hibernian's best chance fell to substitute Garry O'Connor, but, from Derek Riordan's cut-back, he shot wide from only six yards out.

Inverness are beginning to make a habit of starting games in dramatic fashion and quickly raced into their two-goal lead.

The Highlanders' first shot on target may have taken until the eighth minute to materialise, but, when Wilson cut in from the touchline, he powered a drive towards goal from the edge of the 18-yard box

But the unfortunate Malkowski in the Hibs goal was beaten by the aid of a deflection.

Wilson then curled a free-kick just wide of the far post from 25 yards out

But, despite their early dominance, the home side must have been amazed at the way they immediately doubled their advantage.

Malkowski's awful goal-kick only made it as far as Dargo who was positioned 30 yards from goal.

The striker calmly controlled the ball, scampered up the pitch and rounded the goalkeeper with a delightful body swerve to score his seventh goal in nine games.

Scott Brown was booked for clashing with Dargo seven minutes later, before a Hibs side demonstrating a little too much festive goodwill almost presented Caley with another goal in the 32nd minute.

Right-back Steven Whittaker's poor pass across the pitch, which eluded his two central defenders, was seized upon by Craig Brewster who then delivered an excellent through-ball for the on-rushing Dargo.

The former Kilmarnock forward won the race to reach the ball ahead of Malkowski, but clipped his shot marginally wide of the far post from eight yards out.

Gary Smith was cautioned for a foul on Dargo in the final minute of a dismal opening 45 minutes for the Easter Road club, as Inverness ended the half in complete control.

The second period started with Caley in the ascendancy and Black registered their first shot of the half with a drive from 25 yards which flew just over.

Hibs then pieced together their first attacking move of the match when Smith sent the previously anonymous Riordan down the left touchline with a well-measured pass.

The Edinburgh club's top scorer subsequently found Steven Fletcher with a neat cut-back, but the youngster was immediately closed down by Darren Dods and the chance was gone.

Player-manager Brewster then made the decision to replace himself after failing to shake off the effects of a strong tackle from Stephen Glass and Graham Bayne entered the fray.

Despite Hibernian's poor performance they were always likely to create at least one good chance throughout the 90 minutes.

But, agonisingly for them, when Riordan presented O'Connor with an opportunity to pull a goal back, he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

The visitors' afternoon was summed up when Michael Stewart was carried off and, after already making three substitutions, Tony Mowbray had to watch his team end the game with only 10 men.

Teams:

Inverness CT Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Hart 78), Duncan, Black, McBain, Brewster (Bayne 58), Dargo (McAllister 70).

Subs Not Used: Fraser, Golabek, McCaffrey, Fox.

Booked: Dargo, Brewster, Bayne.

Goals: Wilson 8, Dargo 11.

Hibernian Malkowski, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith, Glass, Sproule, Scott Brown (Konte 74), Beuzelin, Thomson (Stewart 58), Fletcher (O'Connor 54), Riordan.

Subs Not Used: Simon Brown, Hogg, McCluskey, McDonald.

Booked: Riordan, Scott Brown, Smith, Whittaker, Beuzelin, O'Connor.

Att: 7,017

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).