Hearts rule Edinburgh after Shiels pays penalty for Hibs

For Hearts fans, their Christmas presents came a day late - but it was worth it. The 3-2 victory over Hibernian was the perfect gift.

Coming into this game, the Jambos had a recent away win over Dundee United under their belts while Hibs had a stupendous tanking of St Mirren to bolster their confidence levels. Thus both teams had good cause to feel confident here.

The supporters on both sides of the Boundary Bar certainly thought that way as the atmosphere at kick-off was electric, full of expectation and excitement.

The game started at a lightning pace, going back and forth at a furious pace. Hibs should have scored in the opening minute via Abdessalam Benjelloun - but he missed. He was made to pay as Hearts took the ball down the other end and scored via Paul Hartley's screamer of a blast.

That only saw the game step up a notch. It was now in hyper-drive, with tackles flying in from all sides and controlled football at a premium.

Despite the score, the Hibs midfield, when on the ball, were looking the superior outfit. The Easter Road team do move off the ball well and they are happy to play passes through with either foot. Hearts' style is a touch more direct, preferring to play longer balls to the front two who then try to bring the midfield into play.

Despite both sides have plenty of great chances, it was 1-0 at the break. But just four minutes into the second half Hearts doubled their lead when Zibi Malkowski, the Hibernian goalkeeper, fumbled a free kick that allowed Edgaras Jankauskas to sneak in.
Just as Hearts fans were celebrating, Chris Killen pulled one back from a corner and the match was still alive. HIbs now had a sniff and were looking for a second amid panic in the Hearts defence.

The Jambos found it almost impossible to clear the ball any further than 20 yards upfield and if they did it would be picked up by the Hibs defensive line and sent straight back down Hearts' throat. Saulius Mikoliunas sent what was probably his best through ball into the box, trouble was it was meant as a pass back to Craig Gordon and resulted in a completely needless corner.

Another failure to just get rid of the ball was picked up by Hibs and a good ball put through the inside-left channel saw Baresa fouled and Dean Shiels rammed home the penalty to make it 2-2. Just as it looked as we'd seen it all, Shiels was sent off following the spot-kick for an altercation with Hearts keeper Gordon.

Despite being a man down, Hibs still played some great football. Hearts, though, weren't to be denied and Mikoliunas blasted home the winner. Hibs bravely fought for an equaliser and a deserved point - but it wasn't to be.

Read this and more match reports rants and general haverings from this season and last year's crazy roller-coaster ride at Tynecastle