Hearts 4 - 1 Hibernian

And this demolition also allowed Hearts to close the gap on title rivals Celtic to eight points after they were held 3-3 at home to Dundee United.

Skipper Paul Hartley was the architect of Hibs' downfall with a first half double to cap a superb performance. And top scorer Rudi Skacel was almost as influential as Hartley as he helped himself to his 16th goal of the season.

But Hearts had Scotland keeper Craig Gordon to thank for keeping out an early Hibs barrage. He made a fine save low to his right from Gary O'Connor's header and then denied Derek Riordan with a great save high to his left.

Thereafter Hearts were always going to run out winners as they grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

Hartley made a long bursting run to get on the end of Skacel's cutback and tucked away a neat low finish. Then Skacel pounced on a loose ball to smash a low 15-yard volley past Simon Brown.

And when Skacel was pulled down in the box by David Murphy, Hartley stepped up to hammer home the penalty and put Hearts out of reach.

Hibs' cause wasn't helped when Gary Smith stupidly elbowed Saulius Mikoliunas in an off-the-ball incident and the visitors were reduced to ten men.

Hearts capitalised on the extra player only five minutes after the break when Skacel left Steven Whittaker for dead and his cross was bundled home by young Callum Elliot.

There was no way back for Hibs and O'Connor's deflected 20-yarder was scant consolation for a bedraggled Easter Road outfit.
Live Commentary

90 minutes
That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.

79 minutes
Hibernian are replacing Garry O'Connor with Chris Killen.

77 minutes
Lee Johnson is being taken off, Jamie McAllister has come on in his place.

69 minutes
Hearts are replacing Calum Elliot with Michal Pospisil.

46 minutes
Hibernian are replacing Derek Riordan with Oumar Konde.

58 minutes
Goal!! Garry O'Connor scores for Hibernian.

50 minutes
Goal!! Calum Elliot scores for Hearts.

46 minutes
Derek Riordan is replaced by Jamie McCluskey.

46 minutes
Saulius Mikoliunas is being taken off, Deividas Cesnauskis has come on in his place.

46 minutes
The second half is under way with the score currently at 3 v 0.

45 minutes
Half time whistle is blown by M McCurry

45 minutes
It's red. He's off. Gary Smith has been sent off.

44 minutes
Paul Hartley takes a penalty for Hearts and scores!.

41 minutes
Goal!! Hearts have scored with Rudi Skacel putting it in the back of the net.

40 minutes
Scott Brown is being taken off, Steven Fletcher has come on in his place.

27 minutes
Goal!! Paul Hartley scores for Hearts.

13 minutes
The referee has booked David Murphy.

6 minutes
Julien Brellier is booked for unsporting behaviour.

0 minutes
The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.