Match ends, Hibernian 0, Hearts 1.
HibernianHibernian0HeartsHeart of Midlothian1
Hearts claimed an unlikely victory over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian to reach the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.
Paul Hanlon, Scott Robertson and James Collins all came close as Hibs dominated the opening quarter.
But Hearts took the lead against the run of play when Ryan Stevenson swept a shot past Ben Williams.
Liam Craig missed an excellent chance to draw Hibs level and the hosts' misery was complete when captain James McPake was sent off late on.
Hearts - 15 points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership - join Aberdeen, Inverness and St Johnstone in Thursday's semi-final draw with Gary Locke's side bidding to reach their second successive League Cup final.
But the Tynecastle outfit's chances of reaching the last four had seemed remote in the early stages at Easter Road.
Hanlon attacked Robertson's cross with a powerful header that came back off the right-hand post in Hibs' first attack.
The home side were firmly in control and Robertson exchanged passes with Collins before drawing a fine save from Jamie MacDonald.
And the goalkeeper frustrated Pat Fenlon's men again moments later when Robertson's controlled half-volley was touched on to the bar.
Collins did his best to beat the Hearts stopper with a low drive from the right but MacDonald was equal to it.
The visiting fans were given some encouragement when Stevenson, a pre-match doubt after going off injured in Saturday's league defeat by Kilmarnock, fashioned a shot wide.
And the 29-year-old stunned the home crowd when he broke the deadlock with an excellent strike on the turn from 20 yards.
McPake became the latest player to be denied by MacDonald shortly before half-time, the Hibs skipper's header smothered by the keeper.
Hibs struggled to rediscover the verve and potency of their early advances and Fenlon sent on Ross Caldwell and then Abdellah Zoubir in place of Collins and Tom Taiwo, respectively.
In between the two substitutions, Craig was played in by Rowan Vine and had only the keeper to beat but his shot lacked conviction, allowing MacDonald to make another block.
Referee Willie Collum had produced his yellow card several times to deal with some heavy challenges and McPake's reckless lunge on Callum Paterson resulted in a straight red.
And some dogged defending from Hearts in the closing stages ensured they kept their lead intact and secured a semi-final berth.
Line-ups
Hibernian
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Williams
- 16StevensonBooked at 77mins
- 3McGivern
- 20TaiwoSubstituted forZoubirat 76'minutes
- 6McPakeBooked at 84mins
- 4Hanlon
- 8RobertsonBooked at 87mins
- 38ThomsonBooked at 61mins
- 9VineBooked at 42mins
- 14CollinsSubstituted forCaldwellat 64'minutes
- 10Craig
Substitutes
- 17Tudur-Jones
- 21Murdoch
- 23Forster
- 27Zoubir
- 29Caldwell
Hearts
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1MacDonald
- 30McGheeBooked at 67mins
- 3McHattie
- 2Hamill
- 5McGowan
- 4WilsonBooked at 33mins
- 7StevensonBooked at 34mins
- 8RobinsonBooked at 42minsSubstituted forTappingat 90+2'minutes
- 12Paterson
- 15HoltBooked at 43mins
- 14Walker
Substitutes
- 13Ridgers
- 16McKay
- 18Carrick
- 20Tapping
- 28Nicholson
- Referee:
- William Collum
- Attendance:
- 16,797
Match Stats
Home TeamHibernianAway TeamHearts
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home4
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Hibernian 0, Hearts 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Stevenson (Hearts) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Booking
Scott Robertson (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Scott Robertson (Hibernian).
Post update
Jamie Walker (Hearts) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Dismissal
James McPake (Hibernian) is shown the red card for fighting.
Post update
Foul by James McPake (Hibernian).
Post update
Callum Paterson (Hearts) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Danny Wilson.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan McGivern (Hibernian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Post update
James McPake (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Stevenson (Hearts).
Booking
Lewis Stevenson (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Lewis Stevenson (Hibernian).
Post update
Jason Holt (Hearts) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Hibernian. Abdellah Zoubir replaces Tom Taiwo.
Post update
Attempt saved. Liam Craig (Hibernian) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Foul by Kevin Thomson (Hibernian).
Post update
Callum Paterson (Hearts) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
