Hibernian ripped St Mirren apart with a superb display of flowing football as they showed they could cope without missing midfield pair Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson.

Guillaume Beuzelin and Chris Killen finished off slick moves before John Sutton pulled a goal back halfway through the Bank of Scotland Premier League clash at Easter Road.

But the Hibees came out in determined fashion after the break and goals from Dean Shiels, Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun were just reward for their attacking play.

Brown was missing from the squad along with the suspended Thomson days after the club turned down a £3million joint bid from Charlton for the duo.

Hibs said Brown had picked up an injury, but agent Willie McKay earlier claimed John Collins had told the pair they would be dropped for the Boxing Day clash with Hearts.

Benjelloun was dropped to the bench with Beuzelin, Shiels and Killen coming in.

The visitors brought back fit-again striker Sutton and Billy Mehmet for Mark Corcoran and Alex Burke.

Hibs started brightly and David Murphy and Shiels both came close with long-range efforts in the opening minutes.

Saints suffered a blow in the 12th minute when teenager Scott Gemmill had to replace Mehmet, who has been troubled by a back injury in recent weeks.

And St Mirren keeper Tony Bullock brilliantly pushed over Michael Stewart's volley after as a corner was only half-cleared.

From the next corner, Steven Fletcher's header was scrambled off the line by David van Zanten but the hosts did take the lead in the 21st minute.

Fletcher skipped behind the Saints defence and cut the ball back for Beuzelin who side-footed the ball in off the post.

Killen also had the ball in the net but the offside flag was raised when he slotted home Steven Whittaker's cross at the second attempt.

The Hibees lost a player through injury too when Fletcher was replaced by Stephen Glass.

But the blow failed to disrupt the home side's flow and Killen slotted home the second in the 32nd minute after a brilliant run and pass by Shiels.

Sutton handed Saints a lifeline out of the blue in the 41st minute after the Hibs defence had failed to deal with a long ball.

The Englishman latched on to Gemmill's headed flick and lifted the ball over Zbigniew Malkowski as the keeper dived at his feet.

Hibs piled on the pressure after the restart but Shiels mis-kicked from a decent chance inside the box.

Bullock blocked Killen's effort with his feet after being played through by Shiels but the Northern Irishman collected the rebound 20 yards out and curled a delightful shot into the corner.

Goalscorer Shiels was soon clattered by a high tackle from John Potter, who received the game's first yellow card.

The Hibees made it four in the 65th minute when Zemmama stroked home sub Benjelloun's cutback.

Shiels departed to a standing ovation moments later following an impressive performance in the role normally filled by Brown.

And Benjelloun slotted home the fifth in the 74th minute after a through-ball by fellow Moroccan Zemmama.

Stewart drove forward and unleashed a powerful 25-yard drive that pinged just wide as Hibs threatened to run riot.

But the Buddies dug in for the closing stages to spare more misery for the away fans who managed to stay to the end.

Teams

Hibernian Malkowski, Whittaker, Martis, Jones, Murphy,Shiels (McCluskey 65), Stewart, Beuzelin, Zemmama,Killen (Benjelloun 63), Fletcher (Glass 30).

Subs Not Used: McNeil, Hogg, McCann, Stevenson.

Goals: Beuzelin 21, Killen 32, Shiels 58, Zemmama 65,

Benjelloun 74.

St Mirren Bullock, Potter, McGowne (McCay 69), Broadfoot,van Zanten, Murray (Brady 69), Lappin, Reid, Brittain, Sutton,Mehmet (Gemmill 12).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Millen, Maxwell, McKenna.

Booked: Potter.

Goals: Sutton 41.

Att: 13,053

Ref: Craig Thomson (Scotland).