Hibs hold on to win pulsating Edinburgh derby

Hibs took the honours after a pulsating Edinburgh derby in front of a packed house at Easter Road this afternoon.

Hibs made one change to the starting XI that drew with Dundee United last weekend. Warren O’Hora returned to take the place of Zach Mitchell, who dropped to the bench.

New dad Chris Cadden took his place among the substitutes with Kanayo Megwa continuing at right-wing back.

Hearts also made one change with Craig Halkett, replacing Frankie Kent at centre-back.

There was a wonderful atmosphere when the game kicked off and within three minutes three quarters of the stadium erupted in joy when Nicky Cadden’s cross from the left fell to Jamie McGrath and the Irishman volleyed home from 12-yards.

Hearts fought back and Lawrence Shankland should have equalised with a free header from a Stephen Kingsley cross but his effort flew wide of the pos-

Alexandros Kyziridis then teed up Tomas Magnusson but Grant Hanley did well to get his head in the way of the shot.

Nicky Cadden was forced to leave the field due to injury and was replaced by Josh Campbell.

Goalscorer McGrath took over at wingback and in stoppage time he sent over a perfect cross and Campbell headed brilliantly at the near post to guide the ball into the net, sparking mayhem amongst the Hibs fans.

Derek McInnes brought on Harry Milne and Beni Beningime for Kingsley and Oisin McEntee at the start of the second-half.

Shortly after the restart Hibs made it 3-0 when Kieron Bowie dispossessed Halkett before thundering in a tremendous strike from just inside the penalty area.

Several Hearts fans had seen enough and left but those who stayed almost witnessed an amazing comeback.

Before that Hibs should have made it four when Josh Mulligan dispossessed a defender, ran into the box but shot wide with both Bowie and Boyle screaming for a pass.

Joe Newell replaced Mulligan in midfield as Hibs looked content to hit on the break and soak up the Hearts pressure.

In the 68th minute Kyziridis provided Hearts first effort on target but Raphael Sallinger did well to save.

Kyziridis then cuts inside but his shot is too central and easily tipped over by Sallinger.

With 15-minutes remaining Shankland sored with a header from a well worked short corner to give the remaining Hearts fans some hope.

Moments later Jack Iredale picked up a knock with a great last-ditch intervention to prevent Tomas Magnusson touching in a low cross from Elton Kabangu.

In the last minute Sallinger could only palm a shot from Kyziridis out and Cammy Devlin knocked the ball into the net from close range.

In the six added minutes Sallinger made amends with a top save, using his foot to keep out a low shot from Shankland.

At the other end Thibault Klidje broke clear but could only hammer the ball straight at advancing goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow.

With 95 minutes on clock, Sallinger produced a full-stretch to push away a shot from Beni Benigime and the points stayed at Easter Road.

After the final whistle Gray told BBC Scotland: “I asked [the players] for a big statement win, we got that today. It’s now about kicking on and trying to be more consistent with our results.

“They are a really good group, they work hard all the time. The dressing room is a very good dressing room. There’s a long way to go, a lot of football to be played.

“I’m sure the neutrals enjoyed it, I’m off for a lie down.”

McInnes added : “If you don’t do the basics well, it doesn’t matter how good you are or how good a run you’re on, you’re going to end up with a sore one.

“We nearly get the draw at the end, the keeper’s pulled off a brilliant save, but you can’t just play for half an hour and lose three goals and expect to get something from the game.

“It’s a sore one for us, but we’ve got to own that.”

Hibs: Sallinger, O’Hora, Hanley, Iredale, Megwa, Barlaser, Mulligan, N Cadden, McGrath, Boyle, Bowie.

Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Newell, C Cadden, Klidje, Hoilett, Mitchell, Campbell.

Hearts: Schwolow, Steinwender, Halkett, Findlay, Kingsley, McEntee, Devlin, Magnusson, Kyziridis, Braga, Shankland.

Substitutes: Gordon, Kent, McCart, Baningime, Kabangu, Spittal, Milne, Wilson, Kerjota.