Hibs claim victory in a dominant derby display

Venue: Easter Road Time: 12:30 Date: 02/03/2025 Hibs extend their unbeaten run to 15 after a strong display in the Edinburgh derby, getting ever closer to a third-place finish.  Hearts had the first chance of the game through Lawrence Shankland. Beni Baningame won his tackle in the middle of the park, giving the ball to Shankland, whose effort from distance was saved. Hibs took the lead, and after looking second favourite to reach Jack Iredales’ long ball, Martin Boyle raced past Gearald Taylor before slotting a side-footed effort into the corner. Minutes later, there was a mix-up between Jordan Smith and Rocky inside their box. The ball was poorly cleared by the defender, and Jorge Grant made no mistake, smashing the ball into the back of the net from 16 yards. After the hectic start, Hearts started to settle into the game; they kept the ball better and were patient in their build-up play. In the 33rd minute, Shankland played Elton Kabangu through on goal. He drove into the box, putting his finish low and hard past Smith. However, as he ran into the corner to celebrate, the linesmans’ flag went up, leaving the game 1-1. Shankland was first to enter the referees’ book. After committing a foul on the touchline, he kicked the ball into the stand and was given a yellow. The first half eventually settled, and Hearts looked more assured out of the two. However, both back lines have shown signs of frailties, something that each team looked to capitalise on in the second half. It was a half-chance for Hibs to start the second half as Nicky Cadden fired his cross into the box. Josh Campbell was close to connecting with his head. However, it went just by him. Hibs started the second half better, and in the 60th minute Nathan Moriah-Welsh went just wide of the post with a well-struck volley. In the 73rd minute, a wonder strike from Hibs centre-back, Iredale, put them a goal ahead. The ball fell to him at the edge of the box, and after taking a first touch to compose himself, he rifled the half-volley across the goal and into the side netting. Leaving Craig Gordon with no chance. Hibs successfully saw the game out, dominating the full second half. A strong team performance restricted Hearts ability to attack and gave them what was a fully deserved victory and an emotional rendition of “Sunshine on Leith.” The dream start for Hibs In what was a scrappy start, the home team were the one to take the lead, Jack Iredale playing the long ball looking for one of his strikers to chase. With Boyle left one-on-one against Hearts’ right back Gerald Taylor, he made no mistake in breaking through on goal. The early lead was exactly what Hibs were after, and their captain provided an excellent finish from the edge of the six-yard box. The advantage had them looking likely to extend their fantastic unbeaten run to fifteen and was sure to settle the nerves of both the players and fans. Hearts bite back Just three minutes after their rivals took the lead, Hearts made no mistake in punishing Rockys’ poor defensive clearance. Jorge Grant was the player to fire the ball into the back of the net as he finished from the edge of the box. Exactly as they needed, Hearts were straight back in the game and looked the better team. They created more chances and kept the ball better, looking to pinpoint areas of weakness in the Hibs’ team. They took the momentum from the goal and used it to control the remainder of the second half. Hibs reclaim their advantage After dominating the second half, it was Hibs who went a goal ahead. A stunning strike from Iredale, who found himself at the edge of the box after a loose clearance. The left-footed strike had Gordon watching as the ball flew past him into the side netting. His first Hibs goal will be one he never forgets, possibly the greatest and most important he ever scores. After the goal, Hibs continued to dominate, making the most of their lead. Strong play from Nicky Cadden applied constant pressure to Taylor, allowing them to create plenty of chances. Manager comments: David Gray: “Delighted to win the derby… 3 real tough games, to beat Celtic here, to go up to Tannadice and win and then to finish that off by beating your local rivals at home.” Neil Critchley: “I thought the first half we were slightly the better team, had good control on the game and played the way we wanted to… Second half, I feel we just lacked belief in what we were doing a little bit” Attendance: 19,873 Lineups: Manager: David Gray Hibernian: J.Smith, W.O’Hora{L.Miller}, M.Boyle{J.Hoilett}, C.Cadden, J.Iredale, N.Cadden{J.Obita}, K.Bowie{D.Gayle}, N.Moriah-Welsh{D.Levitt}, N.Triantis, J.Campbell, Rocky Substitutes: J.Bursik, L.Miller, D.Levitt, E.Youan, H.Kwon, J.Obita, J.Hoilett, D.Gayle, M.Kuharevich Manager: Neil Critchley Hearts: C.Gordon, B.Baningime{Musah Drammeh}, J.Grant{C.Nieuwenhof}, L.Shankland, M.Steinwender, B.Spittal{K.Vargas}, E.Kabangu, J.Wilson{S.Kartum}, J.Penrice, J.Mccart, G.Taylor Substitutes: Z.Clark, C. Nieuwenhof, A.Forrest, H.Milne, L.Neilson, S.Kartum, A.Forrester, M.Drammeh, K.Vargas