Hearts secured a significant 3-1 victory over Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby, lifting manager Wouter Vrancken's side to third place in the Premiership table. The win dispelled early doubts surrounding Vrancken's suitability for the role and marked a strong performance for the Gorgie men.
Goals from James Wilson, Laurent Mendy, and Josh McPake sealed the victory, despite a brief second-half rally from Hibs, who had substitute Adam Mayor score a notable goal. The momentum shifted decisively for Hearts after Hibernian's Jack Iredale received a red card.
Hearts started energetically, with Claudio Braga, a key retention from the summer transfer window, involved in much of their early play. Braga's attitude and technical ability were noted as positive influences on striker James Wilson, who has returned from a loan spell with Tottenham's development squad. New Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli was reportedly in attendance, and players like Josh McPake and Calvin Miller also impressed.
Miller, who was instrumental in Hearts' Conference League play-off win against Rapid Vienna, was a constant threat to the Hibs defense. He set up an early chance for Braga, whose shot was blocked. Hearts dominated the initial stages, with Wilson opening the scoring in the 13th minute after a buildup involving McPake and Mendy. Wilson guided a shot past Raphael Sallinger into the corner of the net.
Hibs struggled to create clear chances in the first half, hampered by an early injury to Jordan Obita, who was replaced by Iredale. Despite a late first-half surge that saw attempts from Josh Mulligan and a shot from Jacob Devaney clip the crossbar, Hearts doubled their lead just before halftime. A free-kick awarded for a foul on Blair Spittal was floated into the box, and Mendy met it with a header past Sallinger.
Hibernian manager David Gray made changes at halftime, introducing Adam Mayor and Miguel Chaiwa. The substitutions appeared to galvanize Hibs, and Mayor scored a stunning goal in the 51st minute, bringing the home side back into the contest. However, Hearts quickly regained control after Iredale was sent off in the 62nd minute for a high tackle on Miller, just moments after making a defensive error.
Hearts capitalized on their numerical advantage four minutes later when Josh McPake cut in from the left and scored the third goal, which deflected in off a post. The goal prompted many Hibs supporters to leave the stadium. The result marks a significant setback for Hibs manager David Gray, following their recent failure to qualify for the Conference League group stage.