Josh McPake left three Hibs defenders in his wake and drove towards goal. Then he kept his cool to pick his spot, calmly sending the ball home.
It was a pivotal moment, not just for the player, the top scorer in the William Hill Championship last season with St Johnstone, but for Hearts who moved into a 3-1 lead.
McPake’s glory moment was, however, enough for many Hibs fans who vacated their seats and headed home. The goal, after 66 minutes, was to prove the final counter in a pulsating game, and it arrived four minutes after Hibs defender, Jack Iredale, had been sent off for a high boot on the Jambos’s busy winger, Calvin Miller. It was his second yellow card.
Ironically, Hibs had looked to be in the ascendancy before Iredale’s dismissal, but, overall the Jambos deserved the win.
How the Hearts fans partied on one section of Easter Road after the final whistle. Most of the rest of the those, who had earlier packed the 20,421-capacity stadium, had left. Fans green shirts who remained looked stunned by what they had just witnessed.
David Gray’s side have now lost their last three league games against the Jambos, and that is the first time that has happened since 2012.
No wonder the Men in Maroon came over to their fans to celebrate. The sight of Blair Spittal, injured during the match, dancing with a protective boot on his right foot and walking with the aid of crutches, and substitute, Sabri Guendouz, celebrating holding a beach ball, will live with many.
Earlier, teenage talent, James Wilson, fired the Jambos ahead after outstanding work from McPake, with 13 minutes on the clock, the 19-year-old withdrawing into an unmarked position in the box to receive the ball before picking his spot.
Laurent Mendy, a defender we had been told was ‘special’ by former Wales international, Robbie Savage, his former manager, and who has made an early mark with Jambos fans, ghosted between two Hibs defenders and into the danger area to meet a Spittal fee-kick with his head. Another fine finish. Time 43 minutes.
It was 2-0 at the break, although Hibs did have chances, one in particular when Josh Mulligan, who had a fine game, fed 19-year-old, Jacob Devaney, on loan from Manchester United, and Hearts’ goalkeeper, Beau Reus, produced a quality stop.
Hibs had other moments, and their goal came from a stunning shot from half-time substitute, Adam Mayor, after 51 minutes. That proved to be Hibs only real joy. Hearts now enjoy the bragging rights as they climb to third in the table, behind defending champions, Celtic, and second-placed, St Mirren.
Man of the Match, McPake felt Hearts did well in the first half and then claimed the third goal which helped massively to settle the visitors. He added: “We knew Hibs would have moments and they got the goal back, but I felt we did really, really well.”
On his stunning goal, he said: “It was good, to be fair. Cracking atmosphere, I loved it out there.”
Wouter Vrancken, Hearts’ head coach, was all smiles as he told Premier Sports how the fans had provided an extra impetus for his players.
He also revealed that he had warned his squad at the break about making mistakes, and giving the game away. One cost Hearts and Hibs capitalised.
Overall, he enjoyed the game and said that his men stayed strong and rose above the emotions created by a derby fixture.
Vrancken felt his men played well in the first half and that his squad adapted to Hibs’ changes as the game wore on.
Hearts are now seven games unbeaten and the Belgian said the win was fully-deserved and, hopefully, the run gives his men confidence in what they are doing.
Watching from the stands was new Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli. He could not fail to notice McPake and Miller, as well as Mulligan. The question is, did they do enough to elbow their way into the international squad? Time will tell. They were certainly centre stage at Easter Road.
BIG MOMENT: Hearts’ goalkeeper, Beau Reus, made a crucial save during the derby. Picture Nigel Duncan
