Hibernian claimed their first Edinburgh derby victory of the season as goals from Jason Cummings and Farid El Alagui sealed a 2-0 win over Hearts and allowed them to collect a valuable three points in the push for second place in the Championship.
The Leith outfit were rewarded for a dominant first-half performance against the champions when Cummings, a former youth player at Tynecastle, found the net from close range after 30 minutes.
Hearts improved after the break but Hibs sealed the win in the first minute of injury time with a cool finish from El Alagui.
With the title wrapped up, Hearts went into this match with only derby bragging rights at stake. On paper, the game meant more to promotion-chasing Hibs and Alan Stubbs’ side fully deserved all the spoils.
Edinburgh derbies are never short of passion and there was a coming together of Adam Eckersley and Scott Allan inside the first two minutes. No action was taken by referee Kevin Clancy even though Hearts defender Eckersley appeared to move his head towards Allan’s.
Hibs settled the better of the two teams and created a handful of chances.
Hibs finally got a tangible reward for their dominance on the half-hour mark when Cummings put them in front.
Allan’s corner was only partially cleared and El Alagui’s flick was slotted into the net by Cummings from three yards.
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson did not like what he was seeing and, in reverting to an orthodox 4-4-2, replaced Kevin McHattie with Sam Nicholson.
Hibs survived a goal-mouth scramble in the 74th minute that saw Jordon Forster make a great block to deny Genero Zeefuik.
The hosts then went on a three-against-one counter-attack charge led by Dominique Malonga but the Congo international selfishly hit the ball wide when Martin Boyle was in vast amounts of space at the edge of the area.
Hearts responded with an opening of their own but Oxley did well to get down to Osman Sow’s low effort from 12 yards at his near post.
Hibs wrapped up the win in injury time when substitute Franck Dja Djedje found El Alagui in space and the marksman chipped the ball over Alexander.