Hearts 2 - 0 Hibernian

Hearts comfortably saw off Hibernian in the first Edinburgh derby of the season with a deserved 2-0 victory at Tynecastle.

Goals from Ryan Stevenson and Andy Webster were enough to give the Jambos a victory which sees them climb to fourth in the SPL table.
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A much changed Hearts side from the one that held Tottenham Hotspurs in midweek looked secure from back to front and never looked like tarnishing their fine derby record which now stretches to 9 games without defeat.

There were returns for Marian Kello, Andrew Driver and Stephen Elliott as Paulo Sergio chose to shake up his squad with 8 changes from Thursday's Europa League encounter.

The game started at pace with Andrew Driver causing problems down the left channel and Ian Black sending an ambitious drive from 25 yards out sailing over the Hibernian goal.

On 22 minutes Stephen Elliott was offered a great chance to break the deadlock when he dispossessed Callum Booth just outside the opposition box. Clean through on goal the Irishman lost his footing on the wet ground allowing the Hibs defence to regroup and snuff out the danger.

Despite edging the overall possession, Hearts struggled to break down the Hibs backline and were forced into taking shots from outside the box. Driver managed to get in behind the away defence after rounding two defenders but his shot was fired straight at Graham Stack.

With the game winding down towards half-time Hearts turned their dominance into a lead with a well worked goal on 40 minutes. Black won the ball from O'Hanlon on the right hand side before threading a great ball down the channel to Hamill. The full-back took his time before cutting a fine cross back across goals which Ryan Stevenson blasted over Stack to put Hearts in the driving seat.

Hibs could have snuck one back with seconds remaining of the first half, but Garry O'Connor's strong turn and shot was cancelled out by referee Thomson who blew for a foul on Kello.

The first chance of the second half fell to Elliott whose well-timed run into the Hibs box and powerful drive forced Stack into a fine stretching save.

Minutes later the former Sunderland hitman had the fans on their feet again. He was first to Stevenson's low cross from the right but his driving effort was cleared off the line. Driver was first to the rebound but again the Hibs defence react well to clear the ball into touch.

Hibs manager Colin Calderwood responded to the renewed pressure by bringing on new signing Leigh Griffiths and Akpe Sodje whilst an injury to David Obua on 61 minutes forced Paulo Sergio to make his first change of the game and bring on Eggert Jonsson.

Driver was proving a real thorn in the side of the Hibernian defence and his boundless energy was an encouraging sign that his injury problems are well past him. The tricky winger was almost through on goals on 61 minutes but Stevenson's through ball skidded just in front of him.

With 68 minutes on the clock Hearts sealed the game with a deserved second goal. A Grainger corner from the left found its way to Andy Webster who rose well and headed home his 7th goal for the club. It was a just reward for Hearts constant pressure and deflated the Hibernian players and fans.

Hibs pushed forward in an attempt to pull one back and a nasty clash between Sodje and Kello caused a delay and the Hibs striker given a yellow card. O'Connor also saw yellow as Hibs struggled to regain a foot hold in the match.

A bizarre moment on 75 minutes saw Jamie Hamill's run into the box and cross towards Elliott deflected by a stray beach ball which had found its way into the Hibernian area.

The earlier clash between Sodje and Kello seemed to be troubling the Slovakian 'keeper and Thursday night's penalty hero Jamie MacDonald was brought on to replace him on 83 minutes.

On-loan Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths came close to pulling one back for the visitors with 5 minutes remaining but his run and shot was well saved by MacDonald.

Hearts: Kello (MacDonald 83) Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, Grainger, Mrowiec, Black, Obua (Jonsson 61) Stevenson (Novikovas 75) Driver, Elliott. Subs not used: Smith, Robinson, Templeton, Skacel.

Hibernian: Stack, Booth, Hanlon, O'Hanlon, Murray, O'Connor, Thornhill (Scott 75) Sproule (Griffiths 63), Agogo (Sodje 63), Osbourne, Towell. Subs: Brown, Wotherspoon, Galbraith, Palsson, Sodje.

Referee: Craig Thomson

Top man: Jamie Hamill

Hearts World