Hearts 0-0 Hibs

Euan Mclean Reports

HIBS hero keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay exorcised the demons of his Tynecastle shocker last season by sickening Hearts with arguably his best-ever display.

His commanding performance between the sticks defied the Jambos time and again to earn his side a precious point in yesterday's pulsating Edinburgh derby.

The plaudits the Belgian lapped up as he crossed back to the other side of the capital last night are a far cry from the pelters he copped on leaving Gorgie in the first derby of last season.

That day Ma-Kalambay practically threw one into his own net to hand Hearts victory.

Yesterday - with a bit of help from a resolute defence and a shuddering crossbar - he stood firm to deny his city rivals the win they probably deserved.

Three times the Jambos hit the woodwork in a frantic derby that was high on excitement but low on the quality required to finish off the countless chances that went begging at both ends.

Hearts hitman Christian Nade was the most frustrated of the lot and must still be wondering this morning how he didn't manage to get something to show for the tireless solo shift he put in.

But there's no doubting the visitors were the happier side after this stalemate, despite lining up with an attacking starting 11 that suggested boss Mixu Paatelainen was going for the throat.

Debutant Jonatan Johansson was thrown straight into the chaos, supporting front two Derek Riordan and Steven Fletcher with regular forays down the right flank, but Hearts were first to carve a clear chance in an even opening spell.

Andrew Driver stormed into space on the left side to unleash a shot beaten away at the near post by Ma-Kalambay.

Then in 15 minutes hulking striker Nade went agonisingly close when he met Robbie Neilson's arrowed long throw-in with a lovely glancing header that crashed against the bar.

Five minutes later frustrated Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo clattered the home dug-out in fury as another chance literally slipped away - Jason Thomson losing his footing at a crucial moment when a free header beckoned.

The young full-back's afternoon didn't get much better either.

He was replaced in the 33rd minutes by Gary Glen after he'd suffered a knock in a challenge on David van Zanten.

Hibs were carving their own chances with quick bursts out of midfield.

Striker Fletcher should have at least hit the target when Lewis Stevenson's lay-off teed him up in the heart of the box. Another layoff at the other end from Nade forced impressive Ma-Kalambay into a save from Laryea Kingston's snapshot to turn it round the post.

Then four minutes before the break came the best chance of the half when Stevenson threaded a perfect through ball for Riordan.

He raced forward but Eggert Jonsson slid in with a superb saving tackle - and emerged with the ball to start a Hearts counter.

It was outstanding defending from the 21-year-old Icelandic star and he did a pretty good job of attacking shortly after the re-start as the Jambos were denied again by the woodwork.

Jonsson's dash for the line and cutback rolled neatly for Nade and again the hitman was unlucky as his low shot smashed off a post.

Hearts made a 53rd-minute change with Deividas Cesnauskis replacing the quiet Kingston.

Hibs came close when Riordan's dipping free-kick was steered a foot wide by Fletcher.

Otherwise Heartswere the ones pushing forward and they must have wondered what they had to do to score when the bar came to Hibs' rescue in 63 minutes.

A swift ball out of midfield by Michael Stewart sent Glen into space and his dipping drive from 25-yards was an inch too high.

Nade blazed a golden chance into Row Z of the stand behind the goal before Hibs pitched in Dean Shiels for Alan O'Brien.

Stevenson and Riordan copped yellows as the game moved from end to end in the closing 20 minutes. Fletcher looked set to snatch victory when his quick feet got him clear of Neilson but he stalled long enough for Janos Balogh to make a crucial stop.

Seconds later Cesnauskis cut inside on to his left foot to let rip with a dangerous effort just over the bar before Riordan saw yellow for a silly lunge on Driver.

Ma-Kalambay pulled off his last big save to deny Christophe Berra's piledriver in 86 minutes.

Frustration got to the Hearts skipper and he and Ian Murray were booked for a late bust-up.

REF WATCH

CALUM MURRAY handled the frantic derby pace superbly. The fact it took 70 minutes for the whistler to produce the first yellow card says everything about Murray's sensible approach to the conditions and calm under pressure. Hardly put a foot wrong all day. Rating: 8/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail