Blair Spittal proved the decisive factor in a pulsating Edinburgh derby, snatching an 86th‑minute winner that handed the Scottish Premiership leaders a dramatic 2‑1 comeback over a depleted Hibernian side. The victory came amid a day of late‑season twists that could shape the title race. The substitute forward entered the fray in the second half and, with a well‑placed strike from inside the penalty area, secured the three points for Hearts. Hibernian’s disciplinary woes had already put them on the back foot, as goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger was shown a red card in the first half and defender Felix Passlack received a second booking in the second, leaving the Easter Road outfit with only nine men for the final stages.
With the win, Hearts have pulled three points clear of second‑placed Celtic and now sit four points ahead of Rangers, who remain in third. The result adds a fresh surge of optimism to a campaign that has been defined by narrow margins and late‑game heroics. From the opening whistle, the derby crackled with intensity. As news filtered through of Rangers’ unexpected defeat to Motherwell, the Hearts camp sensed a pivotal opportunity to widen the gap at the summit.
Meanwhile, Hibs, who had enjoyed a recent derby victory at Easter Road in December, were determined to defend their pride and thwart the champions’ ambitions. The first breakthrough arrived just seven minutes in when Martin Boyle, a recognized derby specialist, latched onto a dangerous free‑kick from Jamie McGrath and slotted the ball home for Hibernian. The early lead seemed to set the tone for a tightly contested encounter, but the momentum shifted quickly. Only seven minutes after the opener, Sallinger found himself under intense pressure.
He attempted to play the ball out of his area after receiving a long pass, but the VAR monitor flagged the action as a handball outside the penalty box. Referee Don Robertson consulted the screen and issued a straight red, reducing Hibernian to ten men.
The half‑hour mark saw Hearts pressing forward, but they struggled to convert possession into clear chances. Claudio Braga missed two prime opportunities to level the score, highlighting how difficult it is to break down a disciplined defence when you are already a man down. The situation worsened when Passlack, after a high challenge on Beni Baningime, received a second caution and was also sent off, leaving Hibs with a further numerical disadvantage. Despite being reduced to nine, Hibernian displayed resilience, defending stoutly and forcing the visiting side to work harder for every inch.
Hearts responded with a flurry of attacks; Marc Leonard smacked a header onto the cross‑bar, and repeated waves of pressure forced the Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith, now on the bench, into making several crucial saves. The breakthrough finally arrived when Lawrence Shankland’s near‑post flick ricocheted off Warren O’Hora, resulting in an own‑goal that put Hearts ahead. The goal, though fortuitous, reflected the pressure the nine‑man Hibs were under and the defensive lapses that can occur when a team is stretched thin. With a two‑man advantage, Hearts could have pressed for a comfortable lead, but they found it difficult to break Hibs’ resolve.
The visitors continued to absorb pressure, relying on counter‑attacks and set‑piece discipline. As the clock ticked down, the match seemed poised for a narrow 1‑0 win for the leaders. However, the drama was far from over. On the right flank, Sabah Kerjota delivered a precise ball into the box, meeting Blair Spittal, who had been a constant threat since his introduction.
Spittal slotted the ball into the bottom corner in the 86th minute, sealing a 2‑1 victory and completing a remarkable comeback. The win not only extends Hearts’ lead over Celtic but also gives them a psychological edge ahead of a crucial showdown with Rangers scheduled for the weekend of May 4, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Captain Lawrence Shankland summed up the team’s mindset in a post‑match interview: "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." Hibernian, now sitting fifth, will be hoping that the Glasgow clubs falter in the final stretch, providing an opening for the Edinburgh side to reclaim the title.
Their manager, David Gray, lamented the red‑card decisions but praised his players for their tenacity: "The nine men that remained on the pitch gave absolutely everything. When you’re down to nine you need your keeper to make saves, you need a little luck, and we had both." Hearts head coach Derek McInnes reflected on the performance, emphasizing discipline and composure: "We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we need someone, our captain steps up.
Then we need the winner and Blair Spittal scores goals like that every day. It was a bit unusual, but we deserved the win." Kris Boyd of Sky Sports highlighted the broader context, noting that Hearts have been at the summit for an extended period and have the full backing of their manager and supporters. He also pointed to the analytical work of Tony Bloom and the Jamestown team, which, combined with strong leadership, has fostered a cohesive squad capable of delivering results under pressure.
As the season draws to a close, the title race remains finely balanced. Hearts’ latest triumph demonstrates their capacity to grind out results even when faced with adversity, and it sets up an enticing climax to the Scottish Premiership campaign.