In a dramatic climax to the Edinburgh derby, Blair Spittel emerged as the decisive figure, netting an 86th‑minute strike that turned a 1‑1 stalemate into a 2‑1 triumph for the Scottish Premiership leaders. The victory came despite Hibernian being reduced to nine men, and it pushed Hearts three points clear of second‑placed Celtic and four points ahead of Rangers, tightening their grip on the title race with only four matches remaining.
From the first whistle the atmosphere at Easter Road was electric. News of Rangers’ late setback against Motherwell had already lifted Hearts’ spirits, and many pundits framed the encounter as a pivotal moment for the Jam Tarts to cement their dominance.
Hibs, however, entered the game with confidence after their December derby win and were determined to thwart any attempt by Hearts to widen the gap. The opening stages saw Hibs take the initiative.
Within seven minutes, Martin Boyle, a specialist in derby fixtures, latched onto a dangerous free‑kick delivered by Jamie McGrath and hammered the ball home from close range, giving the visitors an early lead. The early goal set the tone for a fiercely contested match, with both sides trading chances and the crowd roaring with every attack.
The first major turning point arrived just seven minutes later when Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger attempted to play a long ball out of his area. Video‑assistant referee (VAR) intervened, confirming that Sallinger had handled the ball outside the penalty box.
Referee Don Robertson consulted the monitor and issued a straight red card, sending the Austrian keeper to the stands. Hibs were forced to reshuffle their defence, and the dismissal already hinted at the chaos that would follow. Despite being a man down, Hibs managed to hold on, but the pressure intensified when, in the first half, defender Felix Passlack was shown a second yellow for a high challenge on Hearts’ midfielder Beni Baningime. The referee’s decision reduced Hibs to nine men, a situation that proved almost impossible to defend against for the remainder of the game.
Hearts responded swiftly. A flurry of attacks saw Marc Leonard smash a header against the post, while reserve goalkeeper Jordan Smith was tested repeatedly. The breakthrough finally arrived when Lawrence Shankland’s near‑post flick was inadvertently deflected into his own net by defender Warren O’Hora, leveling the score at 1‑1.
The own‑goal was a painful moment for Hibs, but it also underscored the resilience of Hearts’ attacking play. With a two‑man advantage, Hearts could have pressed for a quick second goal, yet the match remained tightly contested. It was the work of right‑winger Sabah Kerjota that eventually created the decisive chance. Kerjota’s drive down the flank forced Hibs’ defence to stretch, and the ball fell to Spittel, who had been introduced earlier as a substitute.
Demonstrating composure beyond his minutes on the pitch, Spittel curled a low shot into the bottom corner, sealing a 2‑1 win with only minutes left on the clock. The result not only extended Hearts’ lead over Celtic to three points but also widened the gap to Rangers to four points, setting up a tantalising title showdown in the final weeks of the season.
Hearts’ next fixture is a high‑stakes clash against Rangers at Ibrox on May 4, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Post‑match, captain Lawrence Shankland expressed the team’s determination: “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.” His words captured the confidence that has built up around the squad under manager Derek McInnes.
McInnes reflected on his side’s performance, emphasizing discipline and composure: “We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we needed someone, our captain delivered again.
Blair Spittel scores goals like that every day – a nice side‑foot finish and it could be such an important goal. To win any derby you have to do a lot right. The game was a bit unusual, but I think we deserved the win.” He added that while the victory boosts morale, the team must remain focused: “Just because you win this one, it doesn’t make the next one any easier, but psychologically it helps.
No one is going to give us anything; it’s all on us.” Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd praised Hearts’ consistency, noting their long‑standing hold on the top of the table and the belief players have in McInnes: “The fans want a team that represents them, and they’ve had that this season. Some have questioned Derek’s mindset, but ask any Hearts player and they’ll name him as their manager.” Boyd also highlighted the club’s analytical approach under owner Tony Bloom, acknowledging the importance of a united dressing‑room. Hibernian’s head coach David Gray offered a candid assessment of his side’s plight: “The last two games we’ve beaten ourselves. The nine men that remained after the 48th minute gave everything, but the red‑card decisions cost us.
The goalkeeper made a mistake with the ball, and Felix’s second yellow was a clear error. Those mistakes decided the match.” He praised the effort of the reduced squad, especially the reserve keeper Jordan Smith, who made several crucial saves despite the numerical disadvantage. In summary, the Edinburgh derby delivered a roller‑coaster of emotions, with early drama, disciplinary setbacks, and a last‑minute winner that reinforced Hearts’ position at the summit of Scottish football. As the season draws to a close, the battle for the Premiership title promises further excitement, with Hearts now poised to challenge for the crown in the decisive weeks ahead.