In a thrilling climax to the Scottish Premiership title race, Blair Spittal emerged as the decisive figure, netting an 86th‑minute winner that secured a 2‑1 comeback triumph for the league leaders over a depleted Hibernian side in the Edinburgh derby. The match was marked by a cascade of late‑stage incidents that amplified the stakes for both clubs. Spittal, who entered the fray as a substitute, curled a low shot from inside the box past the Hibs goalkeeper to seal the victory. His strike came after Hibernian suffered two costly dismissals – first goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger and later defender Felix Passlack were both sent off, leaving the team with just nine men for the latter stages of the encounter.
The win pushes Hearts three points clear of second‑placed Celtic and widens the gap to fourth‑placed Rangers to four points, with only four games remaining in the season. The result also intensifies the anticipation for Hearts’ upcoming showdown with Rangers at the weekend, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. From the opening whistle, the derby crackled with energy.
News of Rangers’ late defeat to Motherwell filtered through the stadium, fueling Hearts’ belief that they could make a substantial leap toward the championship. Hibernian, still smarting from their December derby victory at Easter Road, were determined to thwart their city rivals at any cost. The first breakthrough came early when Hibs’ specialist in derby atmospheres, Martin Boyle, pounced on a Jamie McGrath free‑kick and slotted home after just seven minutes.
The early goal seemed to set the tone for a fiercely contested match. However, the momentum shifted quickly when Sallinger, under pressure, attempted to clear a long ball. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review showed he had taken the ball outside the penalty area, prompting referee Don Robertson to flash a red card after consulting the monitor. Playing with ten men, Hibs struggled to regain composure.
Claudio Braga missed two prime chances in the first half that could have levelled the scores, underscoring the difficulty of holding a lead against the league leaders while a man down. The situation grew even more precarious when Passlack received a second yellow for a high challenge on Beni Baningime, reducing Hibs to nine players. While some observers argued that a straight red would have been more appropriate, the referee’s decision stood, leaving Hibs with a severe numerical disadvantage.
Hearts, sensing an opening, increased the pressure. Marc Leonard’s header struck the crossbar, and a wave of attacks tested the resolve of Hibs’ reserve goalkeeper Jordan Smith, who was 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 1‑0 lead.
Despite the two‑man advantage, Hearts were unable to extend their lead immediately, as Hibs’ defense held firm and the game settled into a tense stalemate. The turning point arrived in the closing stages when Sabah Kerjota’s work down the right flank created space for Spittal, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, sealing a 2‑1 victory and three vital points for Hearts.
Post‑match, captain Lawrence Shankland expressed the squad’s determination, stating to Sky Sports, “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.” Hibs, now sitting fifth, will be hoping that the Glasgow clubs falter in their remaining fixtures, giving the Edinburgh side a chance to reclaim the title. Hearts manager Derek McInnes reflected on the performance, saying, “We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we need someone, our captain steps up again.
Then we need the winner and Blair Spittal delivers goals like that every day. Nice side‑foot finish and it could be such an important goal.” He added that winning a derby requires doing many things right and that the victory, while significant, does not guarantee an easy path forward: “Just because you win this one, it doesn’t make the next one any easier, but psychologically it helps.
We still need to perform; no one will hand it to us.” Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd praised Hearts’ consistency at the top of the table and highlighted the confidence the players have in McInnes, noting that the supporters expect a team that represents them and that Hearts have delivered throughout the season. He also acknowledged the contributions of owner Tony Bloom and the club’s analytics department, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining belief and control within the dressing room. Hibernian manager David Gray lamented the red‑card decisions but commended his players for their resilience: “The nine men that remained on the pitch from the 48th minute gave absolutely everything.
They defended their box incredibly and the goalkeeper made big saves when we needed them most. The own goal and the deflection were unfortunate, and the two dismissals were mistakes, but they cost us the game.” The derby, rich in drama and pivotal moments, underscores the fine margins that can define a title race.
With Hearts now perched three points ahead of Celtic and four ahead of Rangers, the final stretch of the season promises further excitement as the league’s top contenders vie for the championship in the weeks ahead.