Hearts Edge Hibernian 1-0 in Edinburgh Derby Thriller

Hearts move five points clear of Celtic with dramatic win

Hearts defeat Hibernian 1-0 in the Scottish Premiership, with Craig Halkett scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. The Jambos move five points clear of Celtic.

“We would like it to be more comfortable, but the rivalry is so fierce and it's very rare these games are tight...”

Hearts have surged to a five-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, thanks to Craig Halkett's stoppage-time winner in their 1-0 derby win over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian. The Jambos have been riding high, dropping just two points from their opening seven league games under manager Derek McInnes. This impressive form has sparked hope of a title challenge, with Hearts aiming to end a 40-year wait for a Scottish title outside of the Old Firm.

Halkett's decisive goal came after substitute Sabah Kerjota's cross was forced into the net, securing a first win over Hibernian in five attempts. The victory marked the third time in seven league matches this season that Hearts have scored a stoppage-time winner. Euphoric scenes erupted at Tynecastle as the home fans celebrated the win, which sees Hearts five points clear of Celtic at the top of the table.

Hearts' success has been boosted by a major investment from Brighton owner Tony Bloom, who bought a 29% stake in the club in June. This influx of capital has likely contributed to the team's impressive start to the season. With their solid performance, Hearts now sit comfortably at the top of the table, leaving their rivals to chase them.

Hearts have taken a significant lead in the Scottish Premiership, moving five points clear of Celtic after a thrilling 1-0 win over Edinburgh derby rivals Hibernian. The match-winning goal was scored by Craig Halkett, who headed in a cross from substitute Sabah Kerjota in stoppage time. This dramatic victory has Hearts fans euphoric, with the team now firmly in the driver's seat as they aim to break the 40-year dominance of Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish title race.

Hearts' win sets up an intriguing battle at the top of the table, with Celtic looking to close the gap when they host Motherwell on Sunday. Meanwhile, Hibernian's struggles continued, with the team now six games without a win, leaving them 11 points behind Hearts. The Jambos will be confident after their dramatic win, but they know they need to keep their momentum going if they want to claim the title.

Hearts are on the cusp of making history, with the opportunity to end a 40-year wait for a Scottish title outside of the Old Firm. The team has shown great determination and resilience this season, and if they can maintain their form, they could be the team to beat in the title race. With their fans behind them, Hearts will be looking to make a statement and prove they are a force to be reckoned with in Scottish football.

“It's great we found a way to win. We're only seven league games in, but we've had three last-minute winners which says a lot about the team, the squad depth, the mentality,” said McInnes.

“We would like it to be more comfortable, but the rivalry is so fierce and it's very rare these games are tight.”

Hibernian struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, with captain Martin Boyle having a goal ruled out for offside and missing several promising chances. Despite their efforts, Hibs were unable to find the back of the net, ultimately falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hearts. This loss leaves Hibs in seventh place, a significant 11 points behind their city rivals.

The defeat marked a disappointing result for Hibs, who will be looking to regroup and bounce back from their struggles. Martin Boyle's inability to find the net was particularly costly, as the team desperately needed a goal to break down Hearts' defense. With the gap between the two Edinburgh teams growing, Hibs will need to find a way to turn their chances into goals if they want to stay competitive.

Meanwhile, Hearts celebrated a hard-fought 1-0 win over their city rivals, with Craig Halkett's stoppage-time header proving the difference. The victory sends Hearts five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with the team looking to make a statement in the title race. Hearts' fans will be thrilled with their team's performance, and they'll be hoping to build on this momentum in the coming weeks.

“It sums up our season so far, not taking our chances when they come and not seeing out the game at the end,” said Hibs boss David Gray.

“Our points return at this stage isn't good enough. We need to start climbing this table quickly and getting some wins.”

Hearts at home
Uh huh, uh huh
I like it
Uh huh, uh huh pic.twitter.com/9dNQ9eirWi

— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) October 4, 2025

What's Next?

Celtic can close the gap to two points when they host Motherwell on Sunday. Meanwhile, eighth-placed Rangers, who are 12 points adrift of the leaders, will look to build on their first league win under Russell Martin when they travel to Falkirk. The Scottish Premiership is heating up, and it will be exciting to see how the teams respond to the challenges ahead.

The match kicks off at 3 pm BST, and Celtic will aim to bounce back from their recent struggles, including a 2-0 loss to Braga in the Europa League. A win would bring them within two points of league leaders Hearts.

Meanwhile, Rangers are set to travel to Falkirk, looking to build on their first league win under Russell Martin last weekend. However, it's worth noting that the initial statement about Rangers' position and points gap might not reflect the current standings accurately. For the most up-to-date information, it's best to check the latest Scottish Premiership table.