Rather fittingly, on a day when post-match fisticuffs, handbags and harsh words dominated much of the agenda, there was a distinctly pugilistic feel to Hearts’ combative performance against Hibs.
Ahead on points, needing only to keep their old rivals at bay, they absorbed virtually everything Lee Johnson’s men could throw at them. Despite playing a solid hour – nearer 80 minutes, once time added on was factored in – with 10 men following Alex Cochrane’s red card. If they were never likely to be awarded extra merit for style, that was never the point on a day when a draw would always be good enough to clinch fourth spot in the Scottish Premiership. On this occasion, they needed only show the spirit of Rocky Balboa, rather than the skills of Rocky Marciano.
It helped, of course, that they were able to take the lead so early. And through such an obvious route. The throw-in that leads to the opener came from a Hibs corner that Zander Clark launched up field for the always willing Josh Ginnelly to chase (see Photo 1). That would be a useful out ball for Hearts on more than one occasion.
At the set-piece itself, well, Elie Youan simply switched off. He was watching Yutaro Oda (see Photo 2). Then he wasn’t (see Photo 3). That was all the Japanese winger needed to take a touch and score his first goal for the Jambos.
On a day when their defensive work was always going to be put under the microscope, Hearts demonstrated solid organisational skills as they looked to deny Hibs a way back into the game, closing off key players and leaving the visitors with only bad options (see Photo 4).
Even the most well organised defence can be breached by a really clever opposition striker, though. And Kevin Nisbet certainly fits that description.
Timing his run to stay onside as he chased a hopeful ball from Jake Doyle-Hayes, what Nisbet did next – tying up Hearts defenders and waiting for the run of Chris Cadden (see Photo 5) – was an example of excellent centre-forward play, leaving Alex Cochrane with no choice but to lunge in for a challenge that ended with a red card. And Nisbet scoring from the free-kick.
Down to ten men, Hearts had to redouble their efforts to stay compact – and force Hibs to play around them. They did this very well.
Forcing key threats like Youan to drop deep for the ball (see Photo 6) or squeezing the gaps to force a World Cup pass attempt (Photo 7), they restricted Hibs, in the main, to set-piece opportunities.
Joe Newell constantly dropped back between his central defenders to get on the ball, a waste of energy against opponents forced to sit so deep, while half-time substitutes Ewan Henderson and Harry McKirdy had zero impact on the game.
Henderson looked none too pleased to be substituted himself, into time added on, with centre-half Mickey Devlin thrown up top as a desperation measure. Perhaps he felt that McKirdy, who had proven almost counter-productive with his aimless running into other people’s passing lanes, might have been more deserving of the hook?
It says plenty about Hibs’ lack of creative support for Nisbet in the final third, in fact, that central defender Paul Hanlon was arguably their most potent playmaker.
Late in the first half, he generated some clear shooting space for himself – with a bit of help from Lewis Miller – and forced Zander Clark into an improvised stop (see Photos 8 and 9).
And, as Hibs were pushing for the winner, it was the central defender’s overlapping run and cross (see Photos 10 and 11) that set up McKirdy for a header wide.
The attacker should have done better with his chance. Hibs should have made more opportunities to score.
And Hearts? They just lay back on the ropes, deflecting the most dangerous blows and throwing the odd counter when required. Not bad preparation, it turned out, for the melee that followed the final whistle.
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