SUBSTITUTE BLAIR SPITTAL scored a late winner as Hearts eventually ground down nine-man Hibernian to take a big step towards the Scottish Premiership title with a 2-1 Edinburgh derby victory at Easter Road.
On a day of high drama in the race for the Scottish crown, the Jambos fell behind early on to a Martin Boyle goal. But Hibs soon had keeper Raphael Sallinger sent off, before Felix Passlack was also dismissed just three minutes into the second half.
Hearts made heavy weather of finding their way back into the game but eventually eked out victory as Lawrence Shankland’s flick led to an own goal by former Bohemians defender Warren O’Hora and Spittal grabbed the winner, with substitute Sabah Kerjota creating both goals.
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Derek McInnes’ side are now three points clear of Celtic with a superior goal difference and four ahead of Rangers, who they host a week on Monday.
Rangers’ trail by four after they suffered a dramatic 3-2 loss to Motherwell, the game sealed by Emmanuel Longelo’s deflected strike.
Midfielder Lukas Fadinger fired the superior Steelmen ahead in the 16th minute before Longelo added a second in the 25th after the Gers were cut open again to the fury of the home support.
The Govan side had fought back from two down in their previous game against Falkirk to win 6-3 but the Steelmen looked more likely to add than concede.
Danny Rohl changed personnel and tactics at the interval and Youssef Chermiti reduced the deficit in the 51st minute before the striker and Nico Raskin were involved in drawing the Light Blues level in the 70th minute, with the Belgian midfielder getting the final touch.
However, in the final minute of normal time, Longelo’s drive came off the head of Ibrox defender Emmanuel Fernandez and ended up in the back of the net to give the Steelmen the victory and leave Rangers in third place with four fixtures remaining.
Elsewhere, recent Ireland call-up Will Ferry was the home hero with a decisive derby double as Dundee United comfortably beat Dundee 3-0 at Tannadice. The wing-back netted in both halves and also provided an assist for Ryan Strain’s third goal.
Dundee had won the two previous derbies at the home of their city rivals but this time they were a distant second best.
The result leaves United still comfortably sitting seventh in the Premiership table while Dundee remain five points ahead of Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot.
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Late derby drama keeps Hearts on course for title, Rangers suffer damaging defeat
LAST UPDATE | 26 Apr
Scottish Premiership results
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SUBSTITUTE BLAIR SPITTAL scored a late winner as Hearts eventually ground down nine-man Hibernian to take a big step towards the Scottish Premiership title with a 2-1 Edinburgh derby victory at Easter Road.
On a day of high drama in the race for the Scottish crown, the Jambos fell behind early on to a Martin Boyle goal. But Hibs soon had keeper Raphael Sallinger sent off, before Felix Passlack was also dismissed just three minutes into the second half.
Hearts made heavy weather of finding their way back into the game but eventually eked out victory as Lawrence Shankland’s flick led to an own goal by former Bohemians defender Warren O’Hora and Spittal grabbed the winner, with substitute Sabah Kerjota creating both goals.
Derek McInnes’ side are now three points clear of Celtic with a superior goal difference and four ahead of Rangers, who they host a week on Monday.
Rangers’ trail by four after they suffered a dramatic 3-2 loss to Motherwell, the game sealed by Emmanuel Longelo’s deflected strike.
Midfielder Lukas Fadinger fired the superior Steelmen ahead in the 16th minute before Longelo added a second in the 25th after the Gers were cut open again to the fury of the home support.
The Govan side had fought back from two down in their previous game against Falkirk to win 6-3 but the Steelmen looked more likely to add than concede.
Danny Rohl changed personnel and tactics at the interval and Youssef Chermiti reduced the deficit in the 51st minute before the striker and Nico Raskin were involved in drawing the Light Blues level in the 70th minute, with the Belgian midfielder getting the final touch.
However, in the final minute of normal time, Longelo’s drive came off the head of Ibrox defender Emmanuel Fernandez and ended up in the back of the net to give the Steelmen the victory and leave Rangers in third place with four fixtures remaining.
Elsewhere, recent Ireland call-up Will Ferry was the home hero with a decisive derby double as Dundee United comfortably beat Dundee 3-0 at Tannadice. The wing-back netted in both halves and also provided an assist for Ryan Strain’s third goal.
Dundee had won the two previous derbies at the home of their city rivals but this time they were a distant second best.
The result leaves United still comfortably sitting seventh in the Premiership table while Dundee remain five points ahead of Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot.
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