Hearts 2 Hibs 0

Mar 18 2012

HEARTS put their latest cash problems behind them to put city rivals Hibs to the sword in the Edinburgh derby.

The Tynecastle club hit the headlines last week after it was revealed players' wages hadn't been paid again.

However, on the pitch there was no sign of discontent as they ran out comfortable winners thanks to goals in either half from Craig Beattie and Suso Santana.

The opening exchanges were suitably frantic at a boisterous Tynecastle, but lacking in clear chances.

The first incident of note was fittingly physical, with a clash of heads between George Francomb and Skacel leaving both dazed and the latter with a head wound.

Yet it was Francomb who came off worse, having to be replaced by Matt Doherty.

It took 13 minutes for the first real opportunity, with Soares diverting a wicked Ian Black delivery inches over his own crossbar.

A wayward Beattie effort followed, heading wide from a Driver cross.

With the hosts on the ascendancy, Graham Stack was forced into action. The former Arsenal trainee fisted away a towering header from stand-in skipper Webster, following a super Danny Grainger corner.

A tame effort from distance from Grainger was altogether less challenging for the keeper moments later.

Against the run of play, Hibs could have claimed the lead midway through the first-half.

Just before the half-hour, some nice interplay between the previously quiet Griffiths and Pa Kujabi set the Gambian left-back free inside the box, but no-one could get a touch to his ball across the face of goal.

And seconds later Pat Fenlon's men were behind.

A stunning 50-yard diagonal ball from Black set Beattie through on goal and the former Celtic striker held off the challenge of Doherty brilliantly before sliding a low effort past Stack.

Beattie, a constant nuisance to the Hibs backline, volleyed over the bar 10 minutes later after a long Skacel clearance was inadequately headed away by Paul Hanlon.

A Black drive was then blocked as Paulo Sergio's side continued to dominate with half-time approaching.

Hibs emerged with more vigour after the break, and Matt Doherty saw two headers - within seconds of each other - cleared off the line, with Beattie, then Driver, in the right place at the right time.

However, with any further incisiveness proving difficult to come by, Fenlon threw on the club's top scorer Garry O'Connor on the hour, replacing David Wotherspoon.

The remainder of the second period was still a frenetic affair, with both sides putting in effort with very little return and few clear-cut chances created.

With Hibs posing no real threat, Hearts kept it tight at the back and with the full-time whistle seconds away, sub Santana wriggled clear of two challenges and sealed the win with a last-gasp strike.

Taken from the Daily Record