Hibernian 3-2 Hearts

McGrath (3′)  Campbell (45′)  Bowie (48′)  Shankland (75′)  Devlin (89′)

Hibs held off a late Hearts comeback to secure bragging rights in the Edinburgh Derby in a pulsating game of Scottish Premiership action.

Hibs burst into life after two minutes. A sweeping Nicky Cadden delivery from the left was poked home by McGrath from the penalty spot, giving David Gray a dream start

The strike invigorated the home side and their noisy support base. Alexander Schwolow easily gathered Kieron Bowie’s dipping strike from the edge of the box as they looked. for a second.

The visitors seemed startled from their opponent’s electric start, epitomised by Oisin McEntee, who let a simple pass roll off his foot, and out for a Hibs throw.

Lawrence Shankland went close to levelling proceedings after meeting Stephen Kingsley’s deep cross, but his cushioned header across goal narrowly missed Raphael Sallinger’s right post.

McEntee glanced at Kingsley’s next delivery from a promising free-kick position wide as they continued to grow into the game.

Hibs reestablished a foothold in the match and doubled their lead on the halftime mark. Clever play by McGrath saw him beat McEntee on the Hibs left. His left-footed cross from the byline was glanced across the goal by substitute Josh Campbell, nestling in the bottom corner.

There had been pre-match chants of “we shall not be moved” by the travelling contingent, but at the moment, they certainly looked shaken.

McInnes demanded a reaction from his side, making a double change for the second half. The calm presence of Beni Baningime and the wide threat of Harry Milne were introduced as they searched for a way back.

But they were caught out defensively three minutes after the restart. Mulligan charged down Stuart Findlay’s clearance, allowing Bowie to poke the ball past Craig Halkett on the edge of the box, and curl a left-footed strike into Schwolow’s far post.

The Scottish striker had missed a golden chance moments earlier, but his latest effort may have been the final nail in the coffin for the league leaders.

Hibs were brimming with confidence and nearly added a 4th. Mulligan marauded towards the goal after pinching the ball from Stuart Findlay, but his shot sailed wide when perhaps he should have squared.

Hearts had a mountain to climb, but McInnes continued to encourage his men. The Jambos rescued a point from a 3-0 deficit against Motherwell in August, offering a glimmer of hope to the travelling support. Alexandros Kyziridis had endured a quiet afternoon, but burst into life in the 67th minute. After cutting in from the left, he delivered a curling right-foot strike which Sallinger beat away.

Shankland pulled one back for Hearts in the 77th minute after glancing home a Kyzridis cross. The header was 10th of the season, and may have sparked a late comeback for the visitors. Substitute Sabah Kerjota’s inswinging cross curled narrowly wide of the far post as they searched for a second goal.

Cammy Devlin added Hearts’ second with two minutes to play. Sallinger could only palm Kyziridis’ strike into the path of the Australian midfielder, who rolled home from close range.

They looked destined to level proceedings moments later. Kyziridis continued to pose a danger to the Hibs backline. After beating a Hibs jersey on the left, he drilled a low cross for Shankland to stab towards goal. But Sallinger was alert, making up for his earlier blunder with a point-blank save.

Hibs held on to secure the three points, bouncing back from their derby defeat in October. It was a gripping contest, and the perfect way for David Gray and his side to round out 2025.

Hibernian: Sallinger 6 O’Hora 7 Hanley 7 Iredale 8 Megwa 7 Barlaser 7 Mulligan 9 N Cadden 7 McGrath 9 Boyle 8 Bowie 8

Substitutes: Campbell 6 Newell 6 C Cadden 6 Klidje 6

Hearts: Schwolow 6 Steinwender 5 Halkett 5 Findlay 5 Kingsley 6 McEntee 4 Devlin 6 Magnusson 6 Kyziridis 6 Braga 5 Shankland 6

Substitutes: Milne 6 Baningime 6 Kabangu 6 Kerjota 6