Hibs landed a massive Edinburgh derby blow on Hearts to go third and leave their rivals in the bottom six – with Jack Iredale scoring a brilliant winner.
The Hibees got off to a flyer as Martin Boyle took advantage of hesitant defending from Gerald Taylor to race into the box and finish past Craig Gordon.
But almost as soon as the celebrations were done, they were level again. Rocky Bushiri failed to properly clear from inside the six yard box and Jorge Grant met it beautifully to strike home with a perfect blend of power and control.
It was a cracking start to a game that promised so much given the form of both sides. But it didn’t really continue.
Elton Kabangu did have the ball in the net for the visitors with a really well-taken finish, but was flagged offside.
Hibs seemed to take control after the break and Nicky Cadden was getting a lot of time and space to put dangerous balls into the box, but none of his teammates were able to make the most of them.
There wasn’t much being created at the other end either.
But Jack Iredale sparked incredible scenes in the home end when he caught a bouncing ball so sweetly to send a dipping strike out of the reach of Craig Gordon.
Fast start before reverting to the mean
Many of us thought this Edinburgh Derby was going to be different given the recent form and attacking play of both teams.
The fast start with two goals in eight minutes seemed to confirm that.
But then it reverted to the usual stuffy, cagey encounters we’re used to. After trading goals, the players appeared to start to sit off again, perhaps wary of conceding anything further.
There were of course goals in this one but we’re still waiting for a proper classic of a derby to come along.
Wide areas key for Hibs
With Hearts playing a diamond midfield in recent games and appearing to stick to it today, it looked like Hibs could exploit them in the wide areas.
It wasn’t really happening to begin with, and the Jambos actually seemed to be in a 4-3-3 with Lawrence Shankland right up front.
Those areas did start to become big for the home side in the second 45 and Nicky Cadden in particular was really threatening.
It played a part in the second goal too, with Iredale finding it too easy to get his shot off.
Hearts out of race for third and Hibs favourites?
Neil Critchley’s side had done very well to get themselves into a position were they were outside bets for third. A win here would have put them right in the mix.
But does the defeat end their hopes? It looks like it.
Seven points behind their big rivals with nine games to play means it’s looking very difficult for them. The focus will now be on getting back into the top six and then maybe trying for Europe.
One thing is for sure though, they’re in a far better place than when Critchley took over.
On the flip side, Hibs may now be favourites given the incredible run of form they’re on. Aberdeen and Dundee United will look to have a say though.