Hearts claimed a crucial Edinburgh derby win at Easter Road on Saturday, as Steven Naismith’s side ran out 3-1 winners against a lacklustre Hibernian. The result shifts the Premiership momentum firmly in the Gers’ favour, while leaving Hibs staring at a growing title chasm and a fragile home record.
A bruising derby to forget for Hibs
Hibernian arrived at Easter Road with only one win in their last five league games, and their poor form was exposed early. Hearts broke the deadlock inside six minutes, when a well-worked move culminating in a foul on Lawrence Shankland in the box saw the visitors awarded a penalty. The spot-kick was converted by Andy Halliday, who sent Liam Kelly diving the wrong way to give the visitors the lead.
Hibs pulled level just before the half-hour mark, with a 25-yard strike from Dylan Vokes that beat the Hearts goalkeeper. The goal breathed brief life into the home side, but Hearts regained control before the break. A second goal arrived midway through the second half, again from a set-piece routine, with Shankland rising highest to power a header past Kelly after a Liam Boyce flick-on.
The final goal arrived in the 78th minute, when Hearts added a third through a well-timed counter. After intercepting a loose pass in midfield, Shankland played in Halliday, who squared for Boyce to slot home with clinical precision. The visitors’ composure under pressure proved decisive, while Hibs’ defensive frailties—particularly in transition—were ruthlessly exploited.
Hearts seize derby bragging rights
For Hearts, this victory is more than three points—it’s a psychological edge in the Edinburgh rivalry. The Gers have now won three of the last four derbies, a run that underscores their recent resurgence under Naismith. The win also lifts Hearts into the top half of the table, a position they have struggled to maintain consistently this season, while Hibs remain in the upper mid-table with a growing sense of unease.
Hibs’ home form has been particularly worrying, with Saturday’s defeat extending a winless run at Easter Road to just one victory in their last eight league games. The loss also comes at a time when title rivals Celtic and Rangers are pushing clear at the top, making every dropped point costly. The derby outcome shifts the narrative in the capital, with Hearts now the side to watch as the Premiership intensifies.
Hibs, meanwhile, must regroup quickly if they are to keep pace with the pack, with their next fixture—a trip to Ibrox—posing a stern test of their resolve.
Tactical edge: set-pieces decide the derby
Hearts’ victory was built on two set-piece goals, a pattern that has become a hallmark of their recent form. Their first goal came from a penalty, while the second arrived from a dead-ball routine, exposing Hibs’ vulnerability in aerial duels—particularly in the centre of defence, where Paul Hanlon and Lewis Menzies were outmuscled. The Gers’ willingness to commit numbers forward during set-pieces paid dividends, with their attackers exploiting the space left by a stretched Hibs defence, which often prioritised compactness over aggression.
Hibs, meanwhile, struggled to impose their usual high-pressing game. Their midfield was overrun at times, with Jamie Murphy and Josh Doig unable to shield the backline effectively against Hearts’ direct transitions. The home side’s attempts to play out from the back were disrupted by Hearts’ aggressive triggers, with Shankland and Boyce pressing Kelly into hurried clearances that frequently led to counter-opportunities.
The inability to contain the visitors’ set-piece threat ultimately cost them the game, with Naismith’s side now boasting the best dead-ball conversion rate in the division this season. For the manager, the tactical lesson is clear: Hearts must continue to refine their routines if they are to sustain their challenge. For Hibs, the focus will shift to shoring up their defensive organisation—particularly in wide areas—before their next fixture, with a particular emphasis on mitigating the threat posed by Shankland’s physical presence.
The Edinburgh derby is more than a local rivalry—it’s a barometer of form, momentum, and mentality. Hearts emerged from Easter Road with a statement result, while Hibs must confront the reality of a derby deficit that grows harder to ignore. With the Premiership race tightening, every point now carries extra weight, and Hearts have taken a significant stride forward.
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