In a dramatic Edinburgh derby that will be remembered for its late twists, Blair Spittel emerged as the decisive figure, netting the winner in the 86th minute to give the Scottish Premiership leaders a 2‑1 comeback triumph over a nine‑man Hibernian side. The match, played on a day when the title race was already heating up, saw Hearts pull ahead of second‑placed Celtic by three points and stretch their advantage over third‑placed Rangers to four points.
From the opening whistle the atmosphere at Easter Road was electric. News of Rangers’ unexpected loss to Motherwell had already filtered through the stands, and Hearts supporters sensed a golden opportunity to cement their dominance in the league. Hibernian, still smarting from their December derby victory and eager to deny their city rivals any momentum, started with determination and a clear intent to upset the odds.
The early action favoured the visitors. Within seven minutes, Hibs’ specialist in derby matches, Martin Boyle, latched onto a dangerous free‑kick delivered by Jamie McGrath and smashed the ball home from close range. The goal sent the home crowd into a frenzy and gave Hibernian an early psychological edge. However, the excitement was short‑lived.
Just seven minutes later, Hibernian’s goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger found himself under intense pressure. He attempted to play the ball forward, but VAR intervened, confirming that he had handled the ball outside the penalty area. Referee Don Robertson consulted the monitor and issued a straight red card, leaving Hibs with ten men. The numerical disadvantage forced Hibernian to adjust their tactics, but they managed to keep the score level for a while.
Hearts pressed forward, with forward Lawrence Shankland creating several chances, while Hibs’ Claudio Braga missed two clear opportunities to equalise before half‑time. The situation grew more precarious for the visitors when, early in the second half, defender Felix Passlack received a second yellow for a high challenge on Beni Baningime, resulting in his dismissal. Hibernian were now reduced to nine men, a scenario that rarely allows a team to hold off a league‑leading side.
Hearts sensed the shift in momentum and intensified their attacks. Mid‑fielder Marc Leonard saw a powerful header hit the cross‑bar, and a wave of assaults followed, testing the resolve of Hibernian’s reserve goalkeeper Jordan Smith, who had been thrust into the spotlight after the red card to Sallinger. The breakthrough finally arrived when Lawrence Shankland’s near‑post flick struck the head of defender Warren O’Hora, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
The own‑goal gave Hearts a 2‑0 lead and seemed to seal the victory. Despite the two‑man advantage, Hearts could not immediately add a third goal, as Hibernian’s reduced but resolute defence continued to block shots and clearances. The game appeared to be heading towards a comfortable win for the leaders, but the drama was not over.
In the final minutes, Blair Spittel, who had come on as a substitute, made a decisive impact. After a well‑timed run down the right flank, he cut inside and unleashed a low, side‑footed strike that curled into the bottom corner of the net.
The goal, scored in the 86th minute, reduced the deficit to a single goal and sparked wild celebrations among the Hearts faithful. The match concluded with a 2‑1 victory for Hearts, extending their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points over Celtic and four points over Rangers, with only four games remaining in the season. The win also set up a tantalising showdown between Hearts and Rangers the following weekend, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on May 4. Post‑match, Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland spoke to Sky Sports, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and finishing the season strong: “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 side’s composure and discipline, highlighting Spittel’s clinical finish: “We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we need someone, our captain steps up again. Then we need the winner, and Blair Spittel scores goals like that every day.
Nice side‑foot finish and it could be such an important goal.” He added that winning a derby requires a collective effort and that the psychological boost from the victory could prove valuable, even though the next match would still be a challenge. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd lauded Hearts’ consistency, noting their long‑standing position at the top of the table and the belief the squad has in manager Derek McInnes.
He also praised the club’s ownership and analytical team for providing a solid foundation, while stressing the importance of squad unity and impact from substitutes. Hibernian manager David Gray reflected on his side’s performance, acknowledging the mistakes that led to the red cards and the resilience shown by the nine players who remained on the pitch after the 48th minute.
He highlighted the goalkeeper’s crucial saves and the team’s defensive effort, despite ultimately conceding two goals, one of which was an own‑goal. The derby will be remembered not only for its late‑stage drama but also for the broader implications it carries for the Scottish Premiership title race. With Hearts now firmly in the driver’s seat, the upcoming fixtures will determine whether they can maintain their momentum and secure the championship, or if Celtic and Rangers can mount a late surge to close the gap. Overall, the match encapsulated the passion, intensity, and unpredictability that define Scottish football, delivering a narrative filled with early goals, controversial VAR decisions, red cards, an own‑goal, and a last‑minute winner that will be talked about by fans for weeks to come.