Hibernian 1-3 Hearts

Mayor (51′) Wilson (13′) Mendy (43′) McPake (66′)

A stunning Josh McPake solo effort rounded off a three-goal victory for Heart of Midlothian, delivering Wouter Vrancken a brilliant victory on his first taste of the Edinburgh Derby.

The visitors produced a measured first half performance, dominating large portions of the match. James Wilson opened the scoring against St Johnstone on Saturday, and he was in the same mood on Derby day.

Josh McPake had acres of space to drive, and beat Felix Passlack on the left wing before sliding a low cross into Wilson’s path. The 19-year-old continues to show maturity beyond his age, side-footing past Raphael Sallinger.

The visitors began to enjoy themselves; the attacking threats of Calvin Miller, Claudio Braga, Wilson, and McPake were regularly finding pockets to attack a passive Hibs backline.

Miller, a standout in Vienna last week as Hearts qualified for Conference League football, drove into space on the right flank, but his low cross to an unmarked Braga lacked the finishing touch, deflecting behind for a corner.

Wouter Vrancken was experiencing his first taste of this historic derby, compared to David Gray’s 18th appearance as player, and now manager. It was safe to say the Belgian was enjoying the better of the opening 45 minutes, applauding his team’s persistence and hunger.

The home faithful demanded more from their side, who had failed to test Beau Reus properly in the first half hour.

Josh Mulligan’s surging run at the heart of the Jambos backline offered much-needed energy. But after picking out Nathan Lowe in the box, the Englishman’s effort was saved by the sprawling Reus.

Justin Devaney’s right-footed strike narrowly missed the top corner, and the chance was gone.

The visitors recovered from the Hibee pressure, delivering a sucker punch on the halftime mark. Blair Spittal was the architect, swinging a deep free-kick onto the head of Laurent Mendy. The summer signing from Forest Green Rovers had dominated the midfield battle up till then, and he rose highest to glance into the bottom left corner.

2-0, halftime, and a mountain to climb for David Gray’s side. As for the visitors, they looked well on their way to recording a 4th derby victory in 5 matches.

Hibs searched for an instant response as the second half, and they found it through halftime substitute Adam Mayor. The leftback had already picked out Mulligan for a chance, but in the 48th minute he drilled a left-footed strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

Mayor had given his side, and three sides of Easter Road, a much-needed lift in the 346th Edinburgh Derby.

Martin Boyle harried Reus after a slack McEntee backpass minutes later; the Jambos still had the lead, but desperately needed to regain their composure.

Mayor found more space on the Hearts right channel in the 56th minute; Lowe found a pocket of space in between the Hearts defence and midfield, before finding the left-back unmarked.

Instead of taking a touch, Mayor slashed his effort into the Famous Five end; a golden chance to equalise went begging.

Hibs’ momentum ground to a halt, however, on the hour mark. Substitute Jack Iredale caught Miller with a high boot, and Don Robertson showed no hesitation in giving the centre-back a second yellow and his marching orders.

McPake stamped the Hearts victory with a marvellous solo goal. After ghosting past three green jerseys on the left of the box, he showed poise to finish past Sallinger; although the strike was deflected, the skills to dance through the home defence were magnificent.

Lowe should have done better from a close-range effort as Hibs huffed and puffed for a route back into the match but this was Hearts’ night under the Easter Road lights.

Lowe eventually did have the ball in the net in the 78th minute, but his strike was quickly ruled out for a foul in the buildup, rubbing salt into the Hibernian wound. Rounding off an entertaining derby.

Hibernian: Sallinger 5 Passlack 5 Hanley 4 Kerr 4 Obita 4 Devaney 6 Mulligan 7 McGrath 5 Wright 4 Boyle 4 Lowe 5

Substitutes: Iredale 3 Chaiwa 5 Mayor 7 Suto 4 Klidje 4

Hearts: Reus 8 McEntee 7 McCart 7 Findlay 7 Altena 7 Spittal 9 Mendy 9 McPake 9 Braga 8 Miller 8 Wilson 9

Substitutes: Williams 6 Magnusson 7 Kerjota 6 Guendouz Milne