Jonnyboy
06-04-2019, 04:26 PM
Well I don’t know about you but I’m absolutely exhausted after watching Hibs fight their way to a league win at Tynecastle for the first time in a long while. It will be argued that Hearts had a hatful of chances which were either scorned or brilliantly defended but the truth of the matter is that Hibs won the game with a quite superb goal from Daryl Horgan, his second of the game.
Only one change was made to Hecky’s starting eleven with McGregor brought back in to central defence as Milligan took up the defensive midfield role with Slivka dropping to the bench. Early exchanges were frantic in nature with both sides trying to get a foothold in the game. As it turned out it is fair to say that Hearts won that particular battle and earned a couple of corners which were ably dealt with by the Hibs defence. At the other end, Horgan had two chances to get a shot away but neither troubled the goalkeeper. Next, Lee fired a free kick in that I reckon Rocky had covered as it hit the base of the post before being cleared away. A couple of half chances came next for the hosts with Rocky saving one and the other being blasted over the bar when scoring looked easier.
Around the twenty five minute mark the hosts took the lead when Haring escaped the clutches of Milligan and sent a powerful header beyond Rocky from a corner on their right. It could be argued that the goal was coming as Hibs could have cleared the initial danger but Hearts were rewarded for having the upper hand at that point.
The Hibs fans were silenced by the setback but only for three minutes as it turns out because a lovely pass down the left from Kamberi, hit with the outside of his boot found McNulty who copied the outside of the foot pass by setting up Horgan who blasted the ball home from about ten yards. I was told later that McNulty had been offside and so that simply added to my joy at the goal because we’ve been robbed there enough in the recent past.
The final fifteen minutes of the first half were pretty even with Hibs trying to play football and Hearts sticking to their task of lumping the ball towards Ikpeazu and hoping for a knock down in the box. To be fair I thought Hearts might have had a penalty when Omeonga fouled Souttar in the box but referee Willie Collum waved any protests aside. Right on the half time whistle, Hearts sent in yet another corner which Rocky came out to punch clear and in the process seemed to collide with David Gray who required quite lengthy treatment.
The second half started briskly and in my view, Hibs were now in the ascendency and took the lead about ten minutes into the half with a quite wonderful goal. A quick exchange of passes between Kamberi and Mallan allowed the latter to pick out Horgan who fired home from the edge of the box. A magnificent goal that clearly stunned the home support, perhaps not sure of what they’d seen as it was a million miles away from the sort of football served up under Levein. Two minutes after getting their second goal, Hibs could and should have had a third when a cross from Omeonga saw McNulty rise unchallenged but agonisingly his header flew wide of the goal.
That Hearts brand of football continued with Ikpeazu the target in the hope of one of those knock downs. The home support didn’t like what they were seeing as although their favourites had lots of possession they found a Hibs team organised, committed and very pleasing on the eye when in attack. At the other end Mulraney fired an effort over the bar before Hanlon saw his header saved by Zlamal.
With around fifteen minutes left Hibs were awarded a free kick close to thirty yards from goal and Mallan was so unlucky when his howitzer of a shot looked destined for the top corner only for Zlamal to dive full length and push it around the post for a corner.
As you might expect with the clock running down, Hearts threw everything at Hibs but resolute defending and a wee bit of luck kept the Hibs goal intact. Their hurry to try and salvage something from the game left them a bit light at the back and Omeonga was unlucky to be off balance at the back post when his effort from a Milligan cross went past the post. McNulty worked Zlamal again but with the fourth official holding up the board to indicate a minimum of four minutes left, Zlamal appeared in the Hibs box for a corner, getting nowhere near the ball which was cleared away. When the final whistle blew there were boos from the three home stands but it was party time in the Roseburn end.
The players
Rocky – The big fella had no chance with the goal but I was particularly impressed that he consistently came out to punch the ball clear whenever a cross came into the box. That helped the defenders no end.
SDG – Our captain will be battered and bruised tonight I am sure. This was a typical David Gray performance as he put his body on the line time and time again.
Daz – There aren’t many players in Scotland that will bully Daz but to a degree Ikpeazu did just that on occasion. It must be said however that Daz was often more than a match for the giant Hearts striker.
Paul – A solid enough performance from Paul. I heard someone shout at him to stop trying the cross field diagonal passes but I’d put money on the fact that it was part of the game plan to try and isolate Burns at the back post.
Lewis – Another solid display from Lewis. I thought he handled Sean Clare pretty well and like SDG never once hesitated to put his body on the line.
Daryl – I was particularly critical of Daryl after the borefest against Kilmarnock but I thought he was superb today and took both goals really well. His double had him high in my man of the match thoughts but he didn’t quite get there.
Millsy – My man of the match against Killie, he was not so effective or impressive today but fair play to him as I doubt even with all his years in the game he’s ever experienced anything quite like an Edinburgh derby.
Stevie – With Milligan in midfield, Stevie was able to play further up the park and I though he had a good hour after the first thirty seemed to pass him by a bit. His involvement in the winning goal showed exactly what quality he has.
Stephane – What a wee dynamo Omeonga is. He just never stops running, is great in the challenge, isn’t afraid to get physical and has a huge amount of footballing ability. Stephane was my man of the match today.
Flo – It’s weird you know as I felt he wasn’t great today until I remembered his pivotal role in both goals. Where he frustrates me most is his inability to retain possession at times but I’ll forgive him that today!
Sparky – I said earlier that Omeonga never stops running and I can safely say the same about Sparky. His reading of the game and the ability to find space when surrounded by giants today was mightily impressive. Although effectively lone striker he managed well not to just get isolated.
Marv – I spotted Marv exchanging pleasantries with a few Hearts fans as he warmed up behind the goal. I can easily imagine him treating the obvious insults with his trademark grin. He got stuck in during his time on the park and as much as anyone played his part in seeing out the game.
JS – I don’t think Spector has a nickname yet so I’ll stick with JS for the moment. Replacing SDG at right back with about fifteen minutes to go it’s difficult to offer much of a view on his play although there was one instance where his experience and maturity caught my eye as he found a way out of a corner with Hearts men snapping at his heels.
Viki – Only got a handful of minutes at the end but helped the defence out well with Hearts throwing everything at them.
Hecky – Once again he got his team selection and tactics spot on. I noticed on more than one occasion that he called a player over at a break in play to relay fresh instructions and clearly those worked.
The fans – Apart from the inevitable flares going off I thought our fans were pretty well behaved and the noise at full time was spine tingling.
Willie Collum – For such an experienced ref I can’t believe the number of times he awarded a free kick on the back of the howls of the crowd.
Only one change was made to Hecky’s starting eleven with McGregor brought back in to central defence as Milligan took up the defensive midfield role with Slivka dropping to the bench. Early exchanges were frantic in nature with both sides trying to get a foothold in the game. As it turned out it is fair to say that Hearts won that particular battle and earned a couple of corners which were ably dealt with by the Hibs defence. At the other end, Horgan had two chances to get a shot away but neither troubled the goalkeeper. Next, Lee fired a free kick in that I reckon Rocky had covered as it hit the base of the post before being cleared away. A couple of half chances came next for the hosts with Rocky saving one and the other being blasted over the bar when scoring looked easier.
Around the twenty five minute mark the hosts took the lead when Haring escaped the clutches of Milligan and sent a powerful header beyond Rocky from a corner on their right. It could be argued that the goal was coming as Hibs could have cleared the initial danger but Hearts were rewarded for having the upper hand at that point.
The Hibs fans were silenced by the setback but only for three minutes as it turns out because a lovely pass down the left from Kamberi, hit with the outside of his boot found McNulty who copied the outside of the foot pass by setting up Horgan who blasted the ball home from about ten yards. I was told later that McNulty had been offside and so that simply added to my joy at the goal because we’ve been robbed there enough in the recent past.
The final fifteen minutes of the first half were pretty even with Hibs trying to play football and Hearts sticking to their task of lumping the ball towards Ikpeazu and hoping for a knock down in the box. To be fair I thought Hearts might have had a penalty when Omeonga fouled Souttar in the box but referee Willie Collum waved any protests aside. Right on the half time whistle, Hearts sent in yet another corner which Rocky came out to punch clear and in the process seemed to collide with David Gray who required quite lengthy treatment.
The second half started briskly and in my view, Hibs were now in the ascendency and took the lead about ten minutes into the half with a quite wonderful goal. A quick exchange of passes between Kamberi and Mallan allowed the latter to pick out Horgan who fired home from the edge of the box. A magnificent goal that clearly stunned the home support, perhaps not sure of what they’d seen as it was a million miles away from the sort of football served up under Levein. Two minutes after getting their second goal, Hibs could and should have had a third when a cross from Omeonga saw McNulty rise unchallenged but agonisingly his header flew wide of the goal.
That Hearts brand of football continued with Ikpeazu the target in the hope of one of those knock downs. The home support didn’t like what they were seeing as although their favourites had lots of possession they found a Hibs team organised, committed and very pleasing on the eye when in attack. At the other end Mulraney fired an effort over the bar before Hanlon saw his header saved by Zlamal.
With around fifteen minutes left Hibs were awarded a free kick close to thirty yards from goal and Mallan was so unlucky when his howitzer of a shot looked destined for the top corner only for Zlamal to dive full length and push it around the post for a corner.
As you might expect with the clock running down, Hearts threw everything at Hibs but resolute defending and a wee bit of luck kept the Hibs goal intact. Their hurry to try and salvage something from the game left them a bit light at the back and Omeonga was unlucky to be off balance at the back post when his effort from a Milligan cross went past the post. McNulty worked Zlamal again but with the fourth official holding up the board to indicate a minimum of four minutes left, Zlamal appeared in the Hibs box for a corner, getting nowhere near the ball which was cleared away. When the final whistle blew there were boos from the three home stands but it was party time in the Roseburn end.
The players
Rocky – The big fella had no chance with the goal but I was particularly impressed that he consistently came out to punch the ball clear whenever a cross came into the box. That helped the defenders no end.
SDG – Our captain will be battered and bruised tonight I am sure. This was a typical David Gray performance as he put his body on the line time and time again.
Daz – There aren’t many players in Scotland that will bully Daz but to a degree Ikpeazu did just that on occasion. It must be said however that Daz was often more than a match for the giant Hearts striker.
Paul – A solid enough performance from Paul. I heard someone shout at him to stop trying the cross field diagonal passes but I’d put money on the fact that it was part of the game plan to try and isolate Burns at the back post.
Lewis – Another solid display from Lewis. I thought he handled Sean Clare pretty well and like SDG never once hesitated to put his body on the line.
Daryl – I was particularly critical of Daryl after the borefest against Kilmarnock but I thought he was superb today and took both goals really well. His double had him high in my man of the match thoughts but he didn’t quite get there.
Millsy – My man of the match against Killie, he was not so effective or impressive today but fair play to him as I doubt even with all his years in the game he’s ever experienced anything quite like an Edinburgh derby.
Stevie – With Milligan in midfield, Stevie was able to play further up the park and I though he had a good hour after the first thirty seemed to pass him by a bit. His involvement in the winning goal showed exactly what quality he has.
Stephane – What a wee dynamo Omeonga is. He just never stops running, is great in the challenge, isn’t afraid to get physical and has a huge amount of footballing ability. Stephane was my man of the match today.
Flo – It’s weird you know as I felt he wasn’t great today until I remembered his pivotal role in both goals. Where he frustrates me most is his inability to retain possession at times but I’ll forgive him that today!
Sparky – I said earlier that Omeonga never stops running and I can safely say the same about Sparky. His reading of the game and the ability to find space when surrounded by giants today was mightily impressive. Although effectively lone striker he managed well not to just get isolated.
Marv – I spotted Marv exchanging pleasantries with a few Hearts fans as he warmed up behind the goal. I can easily imagine him treating the obvious insults with his trademark grin. He got stuck in during his time on the park and as much as anyone played his part in seeing out the game.
JS – I don’t think Spector has a nickname yet so I’ll stick with JS for the moment. Replacing SDG at right back with about fifteen minutes to go it’s difficult to offer much of a view on his play although there was one instance where his experience and maturity caught my eye as he found a way out of a corner with Hearts men snapping at his heels.
Viki – Only got a handful of minutes at the end but helped the defence out well with Hearts throwing everything at them.
Hecky – Once again he got his team selection and tactics spot on. I noticed on more than one occasion that he called a player over at a break in play to relay fresh instructions and clearly those worked.
The fans – Apart from the inevitable flares going off I thought our fans were pretty well behaved and the noise at full time was spine tingling.
Willie Collum – For such an experienced ref I can’t believe the number of times he awarded a free kick on the back of the howls of the crowd.