Hibs ended their five-year wait for a win over Hearts at Tynecastle by prevailing 2-1 in the Boxing Day Edinburgh derby.
Dwight Gayle stepped off the bench to earn resurgent Hibs a third William Hill Premiership victory in succession. The 35-year-old former Crystal Palace and Newcastle striker revealed last Friday that he planned to retire at the end of this season, but he showed he still has plenty to offer before then as his close-range finish secured a wildly celebrated 2-1 triumph at Tynecastle.
The match was level at the break after own goals from Hearts defender Kye Rowles and his Hibs counterpart Rocky Bushiri, but David Gray’s men were able to find the edge in the second half and move five points clear of the Jambos in the bottom half of the table.
The Easter Road side had won only one of the previous 15 Edinburgh derbies and had not tasted victory at Tynecastle since Boxing Day 2019, when Martin Boyle scored twice in a 2-0 success.
We give each player a mark out of ten for their performance:
17. Blair Spittal
Put in the cross that led to Hearts' equaliser and looked one of their livelier players. Made way for Yan Dhanda. 6 | SNS Group
18. Chris Cadden
Came close with two chances and was diligent down his flank. 7 | SNS Group
19. Nicky Cadden
Has been a revelation for Hibs down the left recently. Chipped in with two assists - a vicious corner and then a delicious cross for Dwight Gayle's effort. Defended well too. Came off for Jordan Obita. 8 | SNS Group
20. James Wilson
Starved off any meaningful service and was a peripheral figure in attack. 5 | SNS Group