In an electrifying Edinburgh derby that will be remembered for its late‑stage heroics, Blair Spittal emerged as the decisive figure for Hearts, netting an 86th‑minute winner that secured a 2‑1 comeback triumph over a depleted Hibernian side. The victory not only reinforced Hearts' position at the summit of the Scottish Premiership but also stretched their advantage to three points over second‑placed Celtic and four points ahead of Rangers, who sit in third place. The match began with a burst of intensity, as both sets of supporters filled the stadium with anticipation. Early on, Hibs seemed poised to claim the early advantage when Martin Boyle, a recognised derby specialist, pounced on a Jamie McGrath free‑kick and fired a close‑range effort into the net after just seven minutes.
The goal sent the Easter Road crowd into raptures and put the home side in front. However, the balance of the game shifted dramatically within the next seven minutes.
Hibernian’s goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger attempted to play the ball with his hands after receiving a long pass, but the video‑assistant referee (VAR) intervened, indicating that he had handled the ball outside the penalty area. Referee Don Robertson consulted the monitor and issued a straight red card, sending the Austrian keeper to the stands.
Hibs were forced to replace him with reserve goalkeeper Jordan Smith, and the early lead was instantly under threat. Hearts, now with a numerical edge, pressed forward but were initially unable to convert their dominance into a goal.
Hibs' defender Claudio Braga missed two clear chances in the first half that could have levelled the scores, but the visitors’ defense held firm. The situation grew increasingly dire for the home side when, just before halftime, defender Felix Passlack received a second yellow card for a high challenge on Hearts’ midfielder Beni Baningime.
The referee again brandished a red card, reducing Hibernian to nine men for the remainder of the contest. Playing with a two‑man advantage, Hearts intensified their attacks. Marc Leonard struck the post, and wave after wave of offensive pressure tested the young Jordan Smith, who was forced into a series of high‑stakes saves.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Lawrence Shankland, the Hearts captain, saw his near‑post flick deflect off Hibs defender Warren O’Hora and into his own net, giving the visitors a 1‑0 lead. Despite the numerical superiority, Hearts struggled to capitalize further and the game settled into a tense stalemate. It was not until the final minutes that the decisive moment unfolded.
Sabah Kerjota, operating on the right flank, delivered a precise ball into the box, where substitute Blair Spittal timed his run perfectly. He slotted the ball into the bottom corner, restoring parity at 1‑1 and sending the away supporters into a frenzy. With the scores level, Hearts continued to press, and the momentum swung in their favour.
In the 86th minute, Spittal again found space inside the penalty area and, from close range, curled a powerful shot past the bewildered Smith. The goal proved to be the match‑winner, sealing a 2‑1 victory for Hearts and delivering a dramatic climax to a derby that had already produced two red cards, a goalkeeper dismissal, and a flurry of controversial decisions.
Post‑match, captain Lawrence Shankland expressed the squad’s determination, telling 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.” Head coach Derek McInnes praised his team’s composure, noting, “We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we need someone, our captain steps up, and then we get the winner. Blair scores goals like that every day – a superb side‑foot finish that could be crucial.” He added that winning a derby was never easy, but the side deserved the result after a hard‑fought performance. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd highlighted the broader implications for the title race, stating, “Hearts have been on top for a long time now.
They have full belief in their manager and the fans want a team that represents them, which they have delivered this season.” He also commended the club’s analytical approach under owner Tony Bloom, while emphasizing the importance of squad unity and impact substitutes. Hibernian manager David Gray reflected on his side’s misfortunes, acknowledging the red‑card decisions as correct but lamenting the impact they had on his players: “The nine men we had from the 48th minute gave everything. The goalkeeper made big saves, and we defended our box incredibly.
The own goal and the deflection were unlucky, and the two dismissals were mistakes that cost us the game.” The win propels Hearts further ahead in the race for the Scottish Premiership crown, with four games remaining. Their next challenge will be a high‑stakes encounter against Rangers on May 4, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The result at Easter Road underscores Hearts’ resilience and capacity to thrive under pressure, qualities that will be essential as they aim to secure the title before the season’s conclusion.