Match Report: Hibs 1-1 Hearts
27 October 2024Substitute James Wilson struck late to secure Hearts a 1-1 draw with Hibs in this afternoon's Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.
Neil Critchley made three changes to the side that defeated Omonoia at Tynecastle on Thursday night as James Penrice, Daniel Oyegoke and Yan Dhanda all returned to the starting 11, as Adam Forrester, Alan Forrest and Stephen Kingsley dropped to the bench.
As is to expected in these fixtures, it was a cagey beginning to proceedings in the north-east of Edinburgh. Both sides enjoyed spells with the ball, but Hibs threatened first after a loose ball from Oyegoke was hoovered up by Martin Boyle.
After the ball was worked to Lewis Miller on the edge of the box, his teasing cross almost found Boyle once again, but his flicked header was steered wide as Hearts gathered.
Hibs almost claimed the lead after 20 minutes, with some solid defending required from the Jambos. Junior Hoilett's cross was turning towards goal before Craig Gordon produced an exceptional save to palm it away. Dwight Gayle moved in to finish the loose ball, with James Penrice making a fantastic clearance off the line to maintain the stalemate.
Just minutes later, Hearts were back in Hibs' face. Shankland led the break up the park before unleashing a ranged strike at Josef Bursik, with the 'keeper tipping it over the bar.
Hearts were working the ball well and finding openings, but it was Hibs who again carved out the next big chance after 34 minutes. Hoilett's free kick found Gayle with space in the box, with his quick header parried by Craig Gordon, before Kwon's follow up was blocked by a maroon shirt.
HT: Hibernian 0-0 Heart of Midlothian
Hibs carved out the first chance of the second period. Boyle drove at Hearts down the right before sending a short cross across the face of goal for Dwight Gayle; with the Englishman sending his header into the gloves of Craig Gordon.
It was a prelude of what was to come, with Hibs claiming the lead after 65 minutes. Hoilett's free kick from the right caused chaos in the goalmouth, with the ball coming back off the bar before substitute Mykola Kuarevich tapped past Gordon to put the hosts in front.
The Jambos almost found an equaliser minutes later after Lawrence Shankland sent Jorge Grant's cutback so narrowly wide of Bursik's goal.
Hearts kept up the pressure, with Kye Rowles' header flashing over the crossbar following an excellent delivery from Penrice. At the other end, Kwon saw a dipping volley go inches wide over the crossbar.
It looked as though Hearts were returning to Gorgie empty-handed, before 17-year-old James Wilson popped up to make it two in two for goals.
Alan Forrest flicked on James Penrice's long throw, with Wilson popping up at the back out of nowhere to send the ball beyond Bursik and spark wild scenes in the Dunbar end with four minutes to go.
Hibernian: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O’Hora, Youan (Moriah-Welsh 60'), Boyle ©, Kwon, Obita, Hoilett (Doyle-Hayes 81'), Triantis, Gayle (Kuharevich 60')
Subs: Smith, Levitt, Doyle-Hayes, Iredale, McKirdy, Moriah-Welsh, Bushiri, Molotnikov, Kukharevych
Hearts: Gordon, Kent, Oyegoke, Shankland ©, Devlin (McKay 72'), Rowles, Spittal, Boateng (Wilson 72'), Dhanda (Forrest 60'), Penrice, Vargas (Grant 60')
Subs: Clark, Kingsley, Halkett, Grant, McKay, Forrest, Wilson, Boyce, Forrester