Plenty of drama but honours even

The first Edinburgh derby of the decade provided goals, red cards and plenty of missed opportunities but as usual for a derby there wasn't much football played.

The game ended 1-1, which over the course of the ninety minutes was probably a fair result, but as usual with a derby both sets of supporters will believe they were deserving winners.

Hearts were forced to make changes to their squad due to suspension and injury, Youngster Gordon Smith made his competitive debut for the Jambos to replace the crocked Jamie Mole and Marius Cinikas makes his debut at right back as the Hearts defence was re-shuffled to cover for the suspended Jose Goncalves.

The home side had a great chance to take the lead in the seventh minute when Michael Stewart won the ball on the edge of the Hibs box and did a quick one two with Nade before crossing the ball to Smith in the box. It was just too far in front of the youngster and a great early chance was missed by the Jambos.

Marion Kello had to be alert in the opening 15 minutes; firstly Lee Wallace and David Wotherspoon were tangling for the ball in the box with Wallace's only option being to play the ball to his keeper who cleared with ease. A couple minutes later Derek Riordan looked to be running on to a long ball, but again the Slovakian was quick off his line and cleared the danger.

Michael Stewart was caught late by Chris Hogg in the 21st minute whilst trying to put a ball into the box. There was no malice in the challenge but what was bemusing was the Hearts bench didn't notice their player was down and the Hearts midfielder writhed around the by-line in agony for a couple minutes before the fourth official alerted the physio, much to the amusement of the Hibs fans.

In the 26th minute Hibs won a free kick down the right when Riordan was fouled by Bouzid. The fans favourite stepped up to take the shot but he curled it straight into the arms of Kello.

The home side continued to push forward and a couple minutes later a powerful shot in from Chris Hogg looked set to burst the back of the net but his effort re-bounded of one of his own players.

In the 32nd minute the home side had their best chance of the first half when Anthony Stokes found a long ball on the edge of the box. Luckily for Hearts Bouzid was on hand to put in a challenge and his effort went wide of Kello's post. The long ball into the box by Hibs was causing Hearts all sorts of problems and it was the men in green who were settling into the game and attacking the Hearts goal.

Hibs had a real chance to take the lead just three minutes before half time when Zemmama played a long ball through to Riordan who released a strong shot which was well saved by Marion Kello, however the linesman had also put his flag up for off-side. The Hearts defence appeared to be at sorts as they struggled to keep the home team at bay, however in a derby anything can happen and just before half-time it was the Hearts fans who were cheering.

Christian Nade did all the hard work to win the ball in the Hibs box. He then played it off to Palazuelos who put a great ball into the box. Young Gordon Smith caught it on the volley and fired his shot straight past Hibs keeper Graeme Smith to give himself a place in the Hearts history books.

The second half started pretty much the same as the first with neither team really settling and playing great football. However it wasn't long before the score-line had changed and this time it was the home side celebrating. In the 53rd minute Derek Riordan found himself in space down the right and played a ball into the back post straight to the head of Anthony Stokes who directed the ball past Kello for the equaliser. Hearts players were left wondering who should have been marking as Stokes was left alone at the back post to score.

Three minutes later came a real talking point as Ruben Palazuelos and Darren McCormack were both shown straight red cards. Hibs had a free kick and whilst the players were lining up in position it would appear Ruben Palazuelos head-butted McCormack, who retaliated and went to do the same back to the Spaniard. The referee sent both off but Ruben was not happy and had to be restrained by the Hearts dugout from getting himself in more trouble as he appeared to still want words with McCormack as they headed down the tunnel.

The game was really picking up tempo and Hibs had a great chance to take the lead in the 60th minute, a ball was played into the back post and Derek Riordan was there for what seemed like a simple tap in, however debutant Marius Cinikas had tracked his run and nicked the ball away for a corner. Just two minutes later it was Hearts who had a great chance, similar to the one Hibs just missed; a ball came into the back post and Santana slid in but the ball went just wide of the target.

In the 73rd minute Suso Santana made a break down the right and skipped past Ian Murray who then wrestled Suso to the ground. As the players got up Santana fought Ian Murray for the ball earning himself a yellow card in the process. Just two minutes later the home side's debutant keeper made a great save from a powerful Ian Black shot, neither team was settling for a draw and the game was becoming stretched as they fought to take the lead.

Eleven minutes from time it was the home side who nearly took the lead. Ian Murray found himself with space in the box and realised a shot which appeared to be trickling into Kello's net, however much to the relief of the away fans it went just wide of his right hand post. It felt like the game had more goals in it than the two already scored and in the 86th minute it looked like Hibs had the winner as Anthony Stokes played a ball into Derek Riordan who was in space at the back post. Luckily for Hearts Kello was alert and was quickly off his line to block the shot.

Both teams continued to push for the winner but it wasn't to come and the first Edinburgh derby of the New Year ended in a share of the spoils for the Edinburgh teams.

Hibs: Smith; Wotherspoon, Murray, McCormack, Hanlon; Miller, Murray, Rankin; Zemmama (McBride, 65), Stokes, Riordan. Subs not used: Flynn, Cregg, Nish, Benjelloun, Stevenson, Thicot.

Hearts: Kello; Cinikas, Zaliukas, Bouzid, Wallace; Suso (Templeton, 84), Stewart, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Smith (Black, 60), Nade. Subs not used: Balogh, Black, Witteveen, Visconte, Wallace, Mulrooney.

Referee: Charlie Richmond

Top man: Michael Stewart

Hearts World