Match ends, Hibernian 1, Heart of Midlothian 1.
HibernianHibernian1HeartsHeart of Midlothian1
- Stunning Ozturk goal secures draw for Hearts
- Malonga had fired Hibs in front
- Paterson red-carded for visitors
Hearts rescued their unbeaten league record with a late Alim Ozturk strike that secured a draw against Hibernian.
Hibs had been the more impressive team, and led the game after Dominique Malonga's first-half effort.
Even after Callum Paterson was sent off in the 79th minute, Hearts kept pressing Hibs back.
That resolve paid off when Ozturk, with the game deep into injury time, rifled in a 40-yard shot that hit the underside of the bar on its way in.
Hibs set out to be bold and self-assured against the team that has led the league all season and seemed capable of dominating the Championship.
The Edinburgh derby has tended to rob Hibs of their self-esteem, however, Hearts having been on top for much of the past decade.
Even recent form would have nagged at the Easter Road side, the visitors having won five of the last six encounters.
In blustery conditions, it was the home side who were more sprightly and assertive.
| Hearts' maintain solid form... | |
|---|---|
| Robbie Neilson's side are still unbeaten in the Championship | The Tynecastle side have dropped only four points all season |
| Hearts now lead Rangers by seven points | A 14-gap remains between Hibernian and Hearts |
Hearts might have felt that their powerful resilience - a feature of their commanding start to the season - would belittle the best of Hibs, but the visitors also lacked fluency in attack.
Those characteristics allowed Hibs to sketch the most inventive and hopeful patterns into the play, although the game was mostly rugged.
Passages of possession tended to be brief and hurried, but in Scott Allan and Dylan McGeouch they had players who could be artful in midfield, both in the way they moved into space and the way they carried the ball forward.
The state of the game was concerning to Hibs fans as much as it was heartening.
Their team has often impressed during these fixtures, but failed to capitalise and then seen Hearts take advantage.
There was a familiar moment of alarm, then, when Soufian El Hassnaoui found himself through on goal, but his shot was straight at Hibs goalkeeper Mark Oxley.
Hibs were unbowed, though, and when an Allan corner was headed goalward by Liam Fontaine, the ball was parried by keeper Neil Alexander. A scramble ensued, with Jason Cummings having a shot blocked before Malonga lashed the ball high into the net.
| Hibs' derby woes |
|---|
| Hibernian have won only two of the last 10 Edinburgh derbies, during which time Hearts have beaten the Easter Road side on five occasions |
Allan remained central in the second half, delivering two crosses that Malonga headed wide.
The midfielder also went on a surging run towards the penalty area that Prince Buaben stopped on the edge of the box with a crude trip.
Hearts were best served by their width, with substitute Jamie Walker sending in one cross that Oxley fumbled, then Paterson's delivery was mis-kicked by Billy King.
Given Hibs' recent history in this fixture, a growing nervousness with the slender lead was inevitable.
They sat ever deeper, but Paterson's rashness as he leapt off the ground to lunge at Malonga was a respite.
With Hearts reduced to 10 men, Hibs ought to have seen the game out, but Ozturk's glorious strike was unstoppable, and a cruel blow to Hibs.
Line-ups
Hibernian
Formation 4-4-2
- 1OxleyBooked at 69mins
- 2Gray
- 5Fontaine
- 4Hanlon
- 16StevensonBooked at 78mins
- 23McGeouch
- 20AllanSubstituted forHarrisat 74'minutes
- 8Robertson
- 19HandlingSubstituted forStantonat 74'minutes
- 24Malonga
- 35Cummings
Substitutes
- 7Harris
- 10Craig
- 11Stanton
- 14Heffernan
- 22Booth
- 30Kennedy
- 31Perntreou
Hearts
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Alexander
- 2PatersonBooked at 79mins
- 5Ozturk
- 4WilsonSubstituted forMcGheeat 58'minutes
- 44Eckersley
- 11Nicholson
- 17BuabenBooked at 49minsSubstituted forat 84'minutes
- 6GomisBooked at 70mins
- 12KingSubstituted forBuchananat 87'minutes
- 20Sow
- 9El HassnaouiSubstituted forWalkerat 55'minutes
Substitutes
- 3McHattie
- 7Walker
- 10Holt
- 13Hamilton
- 14Pallardo Gonzalez
- 28Buchanan
- 30McGhee
- Referee:
- Bobby Madden
- Attendance:
- 14,562
Match Stats
Home TeamHibernianAway TeamHearts
- Possession
- Home45%
- Away55%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Hibernian 1, Heart of Midlothian 1.
Goal!
Goal! Hibernian 1, Heart of Midlothian 1. Alim Ozturk (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from more than 35 yards to the high centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Paul Hanlon.
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Robbie Buchanan replaces Billy King.
Post update
Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Jordan McGhee.
Post update
Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Jordan McGhee.
Substitution
Substitution, Hibernian. Matthew Kennedy replaces Jason Cummings.
Post update
Attempt missed. Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Paul Hanlon.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jason Cummings (Hibernian) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Dismissal
Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the red card for a bad foul.
Post update
Dominique Malonga (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian).
Booking
Lewis Stevenson (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Scott Robertson (Hibernian).
Post update
Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Dominique Malonga (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian).
Substitution
Substitution, Hibernian. Samuel Stanton replaces Daniel Handling.
