Josh McPake celebratesSNS

At a glance

  • Wilson slots in for Hearts & Mendy adds second before break

  • Half-time substitute Mayor gives Hibs hope with a thundering strike

  • Iredale's rash high challenge leaves hosts down to 10 men

  • Fantastic McPake punishes Hibs with great solo effort

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

A majestic Josh McPake goal capped a sensational Edinburgh derby victory for Hearts, who overpowered 10-man Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

The former St Johnstone forward ghosted past three players before arcing a deflected shot in off the far post at Easter Road, making sure of the three points to send Wouter Vrancken's team up to third.

Teenager James Wilson steered in an early opener for last season's runners-up at Easter Road in a blistering start in Leith.

The home crowd, already on edge after an inconsistent start to their campaign on all fronts, had a glimpse of hope in an attacking flurry culminating in Jacob Devaney's shot slicing off his boot and off the crossbar.

However, two minutes later Hearts doubled their lead as Laurent Mendy was narrowly played on by Grant Hanley and nodded in Blair Spittal's pin-point free-kick.

A response was needed from David Gray's team and it arrived just six minutes after the break.

It took an individual moment of brilliance from substitute Adam Mayor who took matters into his own hands by driving forward and crashing a ferocious thunderbolt of a shot into the top corner.

It roused Easter Road and the team in green and white, sensing some fight in their team. It did not last.

Jack Iredale's haphazard backpass to his own goalkeeper was returned hastily to him by under pressure goalkeeper Raphael Salinger.

The Hibs defender's panicked attempt to control the ball saw his foot go dangerously high to Calvin Miller's head, and a second yellow was produced.

Within four minutes, Hibs' night of derby despair was confirmed with the home fans heading for the exit as McPake triggered an eruption behind the goal.

Hearts analysis: Timing everything as Pocognoli watches on

It's been said plenty times already, but Hearts will be a brilliant watch this season.

If you're a fan, it may not be the most comfortable watch at times. However, in this gripping Edinburgh derby, it was joyous.

Central to their success were three Scots.

Teenager Wilson got things kicked off after a great McPake run. Captain Spittal provided a deadly delivery for the second, while a sensational third goal by McPake rounded it off.

Surely new Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, with a clean slate and international games coming up, was given so much to ponder. Hopefully Spittal being on crutches at the end is precautionary.

This was Hearts' first away win in the league since April - also coming at Easter Road - and there is a sense they are really starting to motor.

All three goals came at crucial points of the game, and yes they survived a tricky last 20 minutes as Hibs pushed for some sort of hope.

But already they are starting to show their promise and positivity.

Hibs analysis: Turbulent start continues

A chunk of the Hibs support remains unsatisfied.

A heart-breaking European exit has been accompanied by inconsistent results, and they really played a key role in their own downfall here.

The defending for all three goals was suspect, while Iredale's second yellow was utterly avoidable.

On top of that, they failed to make the most of their period on top at the start of the second half, including Oisin McEntee's blind backpass going unpunished by Martin Boyle.

Gray made changes at half-time and his team undoubtedly improved, and they showed plenty spirit with 10 men. They were also sorely unlucky to have a second goal ruled out.

However, that will be of little consolation to the Hibs fans who had seen enough after 66 minutes.

They've now lost their last five home league games, the club's worst record in the top flight since 2010.

What they said

Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken tells BBC Scotland: "We played a brilliant first half. We had to adapt a little bit.

"[We said at half-time] that the only they could come back in the game is if we give the moments away. I'm proud the lads kept their heads in the game.

"It was nice to see and it was also a nice atmosphere. [The fans] were really loud, it felt like a home game. But you have to be above the emotions so you have the overview and show the quality."

Player of the match

J. McPake
8.79
8 J. Mulligan
4.32
3 A. Mayor
4.06
17 J. McGrath
4.01
1 R. Sallinger
3.98
25 F. Passlack
3.70
6 J. Kerr
3.61
23 C. Wright
3.60
24 J. Devaney
3.57
10 M. Boyle
3.56
21 J. Obita
3.41
14 M. Chaiwa
3.27
22 A. Šuto
3.26
4 G. Hanley
3.21
9 N. Lowe
3.13
18 T. Klidje
3.04
15 J. Iredale
2.89
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