Hearts secured a dramatic and potentially decisive 2–1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road in a fiercely contested Edinburgh Derby on Sunday afternoon, strengthening their grip on the Scottish Premiership title race.
The match began at a relentless pace, with Hibernian striking first through Martin Boyle, who gave the home side an early lead.
However, the game turned sharply just 14 minutes in when Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area, leaving the hosts with only ten men.
Despite their disadvantage, Hibernian held onto their lead through to half-time. Their defensive effort was further tested early in the second half when Felix Passlack received a second yellow card, reducing Hibs to nine players and setting the stage for sustained Hearts pressure.
Hearts struggled initially to break down a determined Hibernian defence but gradually began to assert control. Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute when the equaliser arrived via a deflection, officially recorded as an own goal by Warren O’Hora, following a cross in by Sabah Kerjota.
Hearts continued to press for a winner. The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when Blair Spittal found the net, completing a crucial turnaround for the visitors.
The result sees Hearts move clear at the top of the table, capitalising on title challengers Rangers’ defeat earlier in the day and maintaining their advantage over Celtic.
For Hibernian, the defeat was a bitter blow, particularly given their early lead and determined performance despite being reduced to nine men.
Hibernian: Sallinger (3), O’Hora (5), Bushiri (6), Obita (6), Passlack (4), Barlasser (5), Chaiwa (4), N. Cadden (3), McGrath (6), Boyle (6), Elding (5)
Substitutions: Smith (5), Megwa (4), Newell (4), Campbell (5), Suto (4),
Hearts: Schwolow (7), Findlay (8), Halkett (8), Steinwender (7), Kingsley (8), Baningime (7), Leonard (8), Altena (7), Braga (7), Kabore (7), Shankland (8)
Substitutions: Kerjota (8), Spittal (8), Kyziridis (7), McCart (4), Chesnokov (4)
