Hibernian 0 Hearts 2

Nov 8 2010 By Colin Duncan

ANOTHER derby, another storm. But don't accuse Willie Collum of paranoia - trouble really does follow him about.

However, the official who sparked Old Firm mayhem last month was blameless this time.

Hibs and Hearts will get a rocket after fireworks and coins were thrown from both ends of Easter Road yesterday.

Furious manager Jim Jefferies slammed the "idiots" among the Jambos fans who lobbed flares on to the pitch after David Templeton hit their opener.

And when Derek Riordan was deservedly sent off for the crudest of lunges at Rudi Skacel, a section of the Hibs support responded by pelting the Czech with enough coins to pay the fine that's probably coming the club's way as a result of their disgraceful actions.

In between these shocking incidents, Hearts striker Kevin Kyle appeared to be hit by a coin and Stephen Elliott netted goal No.2. Jefferies would rather remember this Edinburgh derby as his 21st in the dugout.

Colin Calderwood was taking charge of his first and suffered a humiliating reverse - his third straight loss since taking over the Easter Road hotseat from John Hughes.

Worryingly for the rookie, Hearts were no better than average but they still had the tactical nous and determination to get the better of a Hibs outfit who were bereft of ideas.

"You're going down," the visiting fans chanted gleefully at the end and if Hibs continue in current mode that might not be too wide of the mark.

The Easter Road side, who have not kept a clean sheet this season, stay above rock-bottom St Mirren only on goal difference, while the victory took Hearts to fourth place.

In two spells as Jambos manager Jefferies has won 10, drawn six and lost just five times against Hibs although it helps when you have a talisman such as Gary Locke, who has now racked up 14 Edinburgh derbies as coach and player without tasting defeat.

From the moment Hearts went in front the writing was on the wall for Calderwood and his team.

The pressure was on him to produce and the situat ion was similar for Collum, back in the spotlight for the first time since he found himself surrounded by fury at Parkhead a fortnight ago.

It was a huge public show of faith by his SFA bosses to hand the whistler control of another highly-charged derby.

If he was nervous Collum didn't show it as he immediately stamped his authority on the game with both sides indulging in early shadow boxing.

Hibs arguably had the better of the opening exchanges, putting a shaky Jambos rearguard under pressure without ever looking like landing a knockout blow.

To be honest, it was pretty tepid stuff with the only incident of note the sight of newly-appointed skipper Riordan making two crunching tackles in the space of 30 seconds.

Despite Calderwood's side enjoying the bulk of possession it was Hearts who had the first shot on target after 15 minutes when the livewire Templeton tested Mark Brown from 25 yards.

It was a warning sign and one a soft-centred Hibs defence failed to heed four minutes later when the little winger collected the ball on the left f lank just inside his own half and surged purposely forward.

As he cut in from the wing the Scotland Under-21 international managed to wrong-foot Sol Bamba, Michael Hart and Paul Hanlon with one clever jink and side-step.

And as the space opened up in front of him like the parting of the Red Sea, Templeton had the presence of mind to look up and pick his spot in the bottom corner.

The Hibs players looked at each other, Calderwood looked to the heavens and the Hearts players looked forward to another win bonus and a third straight derby victory.

Templeton basked i n the celebrations even though the two f lares that were tossed on to the pitch by Hearts fans threatened to take the edge off them.

Play was held up for several minutes while health and safety officials covered the fireworks with sand then waited for them to peter out before clearing them with a bucket and spade.

Yet, judging by their tentative, and pretty laughable efforts, you'd have thought they were trying to defuse a nuclear bomb.

Target

Unfortunately for the home fans that was the only action they'd witness in the Hearts penalty box during a first half in which their team failed to muster a single shot on target.

Hibs were in dire need of a wake-up call and judging by the way they began the second half it's fair to assume Calderwood didn't mince his words during the break.

At last there was some urgency, and there was even a shot on target from Riordan who forced Marian Kello into making his first save of the contest with a well-struck free-kick.

But while Hibs were more adventurous going forward they still looked likely to concede every time Hearts ventured up the park.

In fact, Skacel should have made it 2-0 just before the hour when Ian Black teed him up perfectly but the midfielder tried to be too elaborate and his scissor kick flew over the bar.

Given the diabolical nature of the Hibs defending it was only a matter of time before they were breached again and Hearts duly doubled their advantage in 66 minutes.

Again the Easter Road men contributed to their own downfall, failing to deal with Ismael Bouzid's raking free-kick which was flicked on by Kyle and cushioned into the path of Elliot by Templeton.

There was only ever going to be one outcome as the ball sat up invitingly in front of Elliot, who thundered a stunning drive past the hopelessly exposed Brown to put the game beyond doubt.

Hibs' afternoon was complete when skipper Riordan let himself and his team-mates down two minutes from time when he attempted to maim Skacel.

Right under the nose of the referee, he scythed down the Czech midfield man with a studs-up challenge which simply has no place in the game. Collum had no alternative but to show the Hibs captain a straight red card.

Player ratings: Hibs v Hearts

Nov 8 2010

Mark Brown 6

No chance at first goal and well beaten at second.

Michael Hart 6

Constantly lost track of dangerman Templeton.

Paul Hanlon 5

Troubled by the movement of Elliot all afternoon.

Sol Bamba 5

Switched off at vital moments which proved costly.

Edwin de Graf 5

Fortunate to last 90 minutes as he flirted with trouble.

Jonathan Grounds 6

Didn't hide and was always looking to get on the ball.

Lewis Stevenson 6

Failed to contain Skacel but put in plenty of effort.

Danny Galbraith 5

Couldn't deliver a final ball. Hooked for Wotherspoon.

Liam Miller 6

Tidy but toothless in possession.

John Rankin 5

Dismal deadball deliveries and replaced at interval.

Derek Riordan 3

Shameful lunge on Skacel for red card.

Subs: Valdas Trakys - made little impression, 3. David Wotherspoon - did little to alter flow of game. 3. Ian Murray - came on when damage was done, 1.

HEARTS

Marian Kello 7

Claimed a few crosses but mostly a spectator.

Eggert Jonsson 6

Showed versatility and got stronger as game went on.

Ismael Bouzid 6

Should have netted with his second-half header.

Marius Zaliukas 6

No frills from the skipper as he cleared his lines.

Ruben Palazuelos 6

Neat and tidy as he kept it simple in left-back area.

Adrian Mrowiec 6

Nearly sold the jerseys with first-half defensive lapse.

Ian Black 6

Willing worker as he kept shape to protect backline.

Rudi Skacel 7

Terrific creative outlet but missed a golden chance.

Kevin Kyle 7

Offered crucial attacking focus for his side.

David Templeton 9

Lit the spark for Hearts with stunning solo goal.

Stephen Elliot 7

Dovetailed superbly with Kyle to feed off scraps.

Subs: Ryan Stevenson - on for the last 10 minutes for Templeton, 3. Calum Elliot - replaced namesake Stephen to help see the game out, 3.

MEN WHO MATTER

COLIN CALDERWOOD

Endured a nightmare Easter Road derby debut as his side failed to register a shot on target in dismal opening 45 minutes. The contest underlined the task he now faces to get Hibs back on track. 5

JIM JEFFERIES

Rewarded for attacking approach as his side displayed flair and steel to ease to a third derby win on the rot. Gave Templeton the freedom to float inside and create alongside Skacel to give his side the edge. 8

VERDICT

Rarely will an Edinburgh derby have been so meekly surrendered by a Hibs side bereft of any attacking muscle. A moment of individual brilliance from Templeton set Hearts on their way to winning at a canter as the home side never looked like troubling the Jambos' goal.

MAN IN BLACK

Willie Collum kept cool head during several flashpoints and got Riordan red card spot on. 8

Taken from the Daily Record