In a dramatic Edinburgh derby that unfolded with late twists, Blair Spittal emerged as the hero for Hearts, netting an 86th‑minute winner that turned a 2‑1 deficit into a comeback triumph over a depleted Hibernian side. The win not only gave the league leaders three crucial points but also pushed them three points clear of second‑placed Celtic and four points ahead of Rangers, who sit third. From the first whistle, the atmosphere at Easter Road was electric. News of Rangers’ surprising loss to Motherwell had already filtered through to the Hearts camp, and many pundits warned that this derby could be a turning point for the title race.
Hibs, who had secured a win at the same venue back in December, were eager to deny the Jam Tarts any momentum, and they started brightly. The opening goal came early, with Hibs’ specialist in derby fixtures, Martin Boyle, finding the net after just seven minutes.
He latched onto a dangerous free‑kick delivered by Jamie McGrath and slotted the ball home from close range. The early strike sent the home supporters into a frenzy and put Hearts on the back foot. However, Hibs’ early advantage began to crumble within the same half.
Their goalkeeper, Raphael Sallinger, was caught off‑guard by a long ball that ventured into his own half. VAR intervened, determining that he had handled the ball outside the penalty area. Referee Don Robertson consulted the monitor and brandished a red card, sending Sallinger to the stands. The dismissal left Hibs with ten men and disrupted their defensive shape.
The numerical disadvantage forced Hibs to work harder, but they managed to hold on, thanks in part to missed opportunities from Claudio Braga, who failed to convert two clear chances in the first half. The situation worsened for the visitors when defender Felix Passlack received a second yellow for a high challenge on Beni Baningime, reducing Hibs to nine men.
The referee could have issued a straight red, but the caution was enough to end Passlack’s night. Hearts, sensing an opening, began to press relentlessly.
Marc Leonard’s effort rattled the crossbar, and wave after wave of attacks tested the resolve of Hibs’ reserve keeper, Jordan Smith, who had been thrust into the spotlight after Sallinger’s dismissal. The breakthrough finally arrived when Lawrence Shankland’s near‑post flick was inadvertently deflected into his own net by defender Warren O'Hora, giving Hearts a 1‑1 equaliser.
Even with a two‑man advantage, Hearts found it difficult to dominate the game fully. The Hibs side, despite being reduced to nine, displayed a surprising level of resilience and defensive discipline, limiting the visitors’ chances. Nonetheless, the home side continued to create opportunities, and a well‑timed run down the right flank by Sabah Kerjota set the stage for the decisive moment.
In the 86th minute, Blair Spittal entered the fray as a substitute. He received a low cross inside the box and curled a precise shot into the bottom corner, sealing a 2‑1 victory for Hearts. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the travelling fans and cemented the win as a pivotal moment in the title chase.
Following the match, Hearts’ captain Lawrence Shankland expressed confidence to Sky Sports, stating, "We want to do it. We’re close enough. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point and it’s important we go and try to finish it off." The win sets up a tantalising showdown with Rangers next weekend, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on May 4.
Hearts’ manager Derek McInnes praised his team’s composure and discipline. He highlighted the captain’s leadership and Spittal’s knack for scoring crucial goals, saying, "We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we need someone, our captain does it again. We then need the winner and Blair Spittal scores goals like that every day.
Nice side‑foot finish and it could be such an important goal." McInnes also reflected on the broader context of the derby, noting that while the game was unusual, Hearts deserved the win. He emphasized the importance of focusing on their own performance rather than the results of other clubs, adding, "Anybody who says they’re not interested in how the others are doing is telling lies. I would always watch the games. For us, the way the kick‑offs were today we had to just focus on Hearts." Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd lauded Hearts’ consistency at the top of the table and praised the belief the players have in their manager.
He remarked, "Hearts have been at the top of the table for a long, long time now. They’ve got full belief in their manager to start with. The fans will always be there, they just want a team who goes out and represents them and they’ve had that this season." On the other side, Hibernian head coach David Gray accepted responsibility for his side’s shortcomings. He acknowledged that the red‑card decisions were correct but lamented the impact they had on his team’s chances.
Gray praised his players for giving everything despite being reduced to nine men, saying, "The nine men that remained on the pitch from 48 minutes gave absolutely everything, and didn’t deserve that if I’m being honest. Because of how much they put into it, they defended their box incredibly." The result leaves Hearts firmly in the driver’s seat as the season draws to a close, with only four games remaining. Their next challenge against Rangers will be a true test of their championship credentials, while Hibs, now sitting fifth, will hope that the Glasgow clubs falter, giving them a chance to climb the table.