In a thrilling Edinburgh derby that delivered a dramatic finish, Blair Spittal emerged as the hero for Hearts, netting an 86th‑minute winner that secured a 2‑1 comeback triumph over a reduced Hibernian side. The victory not only gave the league leaders three crucial points but also widened the gap to their nearest rivals, leaving Hearts three points clear of Celtic in second place and four points ahead of Rangers in third.
From the first whistle, the atmosphere at Easter Road was electric. News of Rangers’ late setback against Motherwell had already lifted the spirits of the Hearts supporters, who saw the match as a golden opportunity to cement their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Hibernian, fresh from a December derby win at Tynecastle, were equally determined to deny their city rivals any momentum, and they started the game with high intensity.
The opening stages saw Hibs take the lead after just seven minutes. Martin Boyle, a recognised derby specialist, latched onto a dangerous free‑kick delivered by Jamie McGrath and slotted the ball home from close range. The early goal sent the Easter Road crowd into a frenzy and put Hearts on the back foot. However, Hibs’ advantage was short‑lived.
Seven minutes later, goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger found himself under severe pressure and attempted a reckless clearance that carried him well outside the penalty area. VAR intervened, confirming that the ball had not been played from within the box, and referee Don Robertson showed Sallinger a red card after consulting the monitor. Hibernian were reduced to ten men, a blow that would prove costly. The first half continued with Hearts pressing for an equaliser, but Hibs’ defender Claudio Braga missed two clear chances that could have levelled the score.
The situation worsened for the home side when, midway through the second half, defender Felix Passlack received a second yellow for a high challenge on Beni Baningime, resulting in a second red card. Hibernian were now down to nine players, an almost impossible scenario against the league leaders.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Hibs displayed remarkable resilience. Their goalkeeper, Jordan Smith, who had been introduced after Sallinger’s dismissal, made several important saves, keeping his side in the contest.
Meanwhile, Hearts intensified their attacks. Marc Leonard’s effort struck the post, and a wave of pressure culminated in an own‑goal when Lawrence Shankland’s near‑post flick was inadvertently deflected into Hibs’ net by defender Warren O'Hora. The own‑goal gave Hearts a 1‑1 draw and shifted the momentum firmly in their favour.
With the scores level and Hibs reduced to nine men, Hearts could have pressed for a quick finish, but the game remained tightly contested. It was not until the final minutes that Blair Spittal, who had been introduced as a substitute, made the decisive impact.
After a well‑timed run down the right flank, he cut inside and curled a precise shot into the bottom corner, sealing a 2‑1 victory for Hearts with only minutes remaining on the clock. The win propelled Hearts further ahead in the title race. They now sit three points clear of Celtic and enjoy a four‑point cushion over Rangers, with only four matches left in the season.
Their next challenge will be a high‑stakes encounter against Rangers at home on May 4, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Post‑match, captain Lawrence Shankland expressed the team’s determination, saying, “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, noting, “We stayed calm, stayed disciplined. When we need someone, our captain steps up. Then we need the winner and Blair Spittal delivers that kind of goal every day. It was a crucial side‑foot finish.” McInnes also reflected on the broader context of the derby, stating, “Winning any derby requires doing many things right.
The game was unusual, but I think we deserved the win. Everyone who pretends they don’t care about the other teams is lying – we watch every game. The early kick‑offs forced us to stay focused on Hearts.” He added that momentum from this victory could be vital for the upcoming split fixtures, though he cautioned that each game must still be earned on its own merits.
Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd highlighted Hearts’ consistency, commenting, “Hearts have been at the top of the table for a long time now. They have full belief in their manager, and the fans want a team that represents them, which they’ve delivered this season.” Boyd also defended manager Derek McInnes against criticism, noting that players themselves would choose him again as their coach. Hibernian’s head coach David Gray acknowledged the disappointment, saying, “The last two games we’ve beaten ourselves.
The nine men that stayed on the pitch from the 48th minute gave everything and didn’t deserve to lose. They defended incredibly, and the goalkeeper made big saves. The red‑card decisions were correct, but they were mistakes that cost us.” He praised his players’ effort despite the numerical disadvantage, emphasizing the difficulty of defending with only nine men.
In summary, the Edinburgh derby provided a dramatic climax to the Scottish Premiership’s title race, with Hearts overcoming adversity and a reduced Hibs side to extend their lead at the summit. The win not only reinforces their position but also adds psychological advantage heading into the final stretch of the season, where every point will be vital in the quest for the championship.