JASON Cummings' sixth goal in as many games helped book Hibernian's place in the League Cup semi-finals when they beat Dundee United 3-0 at Easter Road.
United reached last season's final under Jackie McNamara but Mixu Paatelainen's toothless Tannadice side were no match for the hungry hosts who now go into Monday's draw for the last four.
David Gray's early strike took the fight out of United before a second-half Cummings penalty and Lewis Stevenson's deflected effort finished the job.
Paatelainen remains keen on Japanese World Cup goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima - who was watching from the Easter Road main stand - but with United still waiting on a work permit, the manager had to go with Polish youngster Michael Szromnik again.
Hibs made sure he was tested early on as James Keatings fired in a 20-yard piledriver which was pushed away. Mark Durnan had to come to the rescue when Cummings looked to tap home after John McGinn's delicate touch sent Dominique Malonga in behind the visitors' defence.
Szromnik saved again from Keatings after 20 minutes but there was no stopping the opener. From McGinn's short corner, Fraser Fyvie swept the ball into the crowded box where Gray turned to fire his side ahead.
The best United could offer from the opening half was Scott Fraser's wild effort after he wriggled past McGinn.
They found themselves under pressure again 30 seconds into the second period when Keatings thudded another low shot on to a post.
The former Hearts forward was well placed for Hibs soon after, though, when he cleared Ryan McGowan's header from under his own bar.
But Cummings made sure of victory on the hour mark as he stroked home his 12th goal of the season from penalty spot after John Rankin was penalised for handling the striker's header at the back post.
Cummings looked for his second soon afterwards but was denied by Szromnik, while United's Simon Murray wasted their best chance 13 minutes from time when keeper Mark Oxley stood up well to block.
Hibs substitute Farid El Alagui looked set to score before falling over the ball but Stevenson did add a third when his strike deflected off John Souttar on its way past Szromnik.
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