After a scrappy, ugly, Edinburgh derby, Tomas Magnusson’s 88th minute winner keeps the Jambos top of the table.
Hearts started the evening still sitting pretty at the top of the William Hill Scottish Premiership table, three points above a Rangers side who have started to breathe down their necks in recent weeks.
With Danny Röhl’s Rangers hosting Hearts next week, a win was an absolute must to keep their bubble intact.
FIRST HALF
The seasons’ third derby started as a cagey affair, with neither team really getting the ball under control in the wet conditions.
The first real chance for either side came in the 9th minute when new signing Felix Passlack and Martin Boyle combined down the right, with Passlack’s final ball back across to Boyle being placed behind him.
The more Hibs grew into the game, the more Boyle started to have an influence with the Hearts back four not being able to deal with the balls over the top and in behind to Hibs captain.
Hibs’ first half dominance continued with Dane Scarlett having the best chance for the away side in the first half, not being able to get on the end of Jack Iredale’s long throw into the area.
One of the only real chances for Hearts fell to Islam Chesnokov in the 41st minute, somehow not being able to flick the ball past Sallinger, instead taking out the Hibs #1.
A first half of few chances for either side, with Hibs certainly looking the stronger of the two. It ultimately stayed 0-0.
SECOND HALF
More of the same was the start the second half, with neither team really getting a foot on the ball until Harry Milne’s chance from the edge of the box troubled Sallinger.
The next twenty minutes was a repeat of the first half, with Hibs getting into space through Nicky Cadden and Boyle, but not taking their chances.
The longer the second half went on, the more you could feel the frustration growing around Tynecastle, with there being no pressure on the Hibs centre backs or keeper; frustration which was not helped by what at the time seemed liked non-attacking changes with Magnusson and Altena coming on.
After a handful of silly and needless fouls from Hibs, Hearts finally capitalised and Tynecastle erupted, with Tomas Magnusson getting on the end of Harry Milne’s ball into the box.
A defining noise that could have been heard in Leith signalling that Hearts will indeed not be moved ended what was a scrappy game of football, a game that may be the most important three points of Hearts season.
POST MATCH
It’s games like these that signal an intent to become champions, and Hearts’ bubble doesn’t seem to be bursting any time soon.
Goalscorer Tomas Magnusson was full of emotion saying he knew he was going to score in his post match interview, while saying he’s expecting his first child this week.
Derek McInness was full of praise for his sides effort singling out Harry Milne’s desire to get to the byline to find Magnusson for the winner.
“You want people to come up with moments, that’s what you should be writing about, Harry Milne’s desire late in the game where he’s ran his race. He’s absolutely pipped, gets to the byline, beats their wingback and has the wherewith all to put in a quality cross”
Hibs captain Martin Boyle referred to his side as “Masters of our own downfall” after not capitalising on their opportunities and the dominance they had over Hearts in the game.
Up next for Hearts is that mouthwatering trip to Glasgow to face an inform Rangers side that will be intent on closing the gap to them, while Hibs welcome League Cup winners St Mirren to Easter Road with the race for Europe getting tighter and tighter.
