Hearts boosted their Scottish Premiership title hopes after Blair Spittal’s 86th-minute winner earned a dramatic derby victory over nine-man Hibernian, putting Derek McInnes’ side three points clear after Rangers lost at home to Motherwell.
Hibs took an early lead at Easter Road, with Martin Boyle striking after just seven minutes – but seven minutes later, the game changed as goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger was sent off for handling the ball outside his penalty area.
The hosts held on to their lead until half-time, but went down to nine men when Felix Passlack was shown a second yellow card moments after the restart. Hearts levelled in the 65th minute when Lawrence Shankland bundled the ball in off Hibs defender Warren O’Hora.
Hearts piled on the pressure but did not find the breakthrough until four minutes from time, as Spittal swept the ball inside the near post from Sabah Kerjota’s cut-back, sparking wild celebrations in the away end behind the goal.
Earlier, Emmanuel Longelo’s late deflected strike earned Motherwell a dramatic 3-2 win at Ibrox to dent Rangers’ title hopes.
