Hearts 0-2 Hibernian: Martin Boyle double adds to Tynecastle turmoil

Martin Boyle's double made it back-to-back derby wins for Hibernian at Tynecastle for the first time since the 1970s as Hearts remain stuck at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Both goals came in a first half dominated by the visitors, with a well taken volley followed by a composed one-on-one finish.

Hearts, three points adrift, have now picked up one point from their last eight matches, with Daniel Stendel the club's first manager in 82 years to lose his first four games.

The German was often seen with his head in his hands on the touchline as his side failed to score for the sixth time in their past eight outings as the home sections of the stadium were left largely empty by full-time.

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Familiar failings cost Hearts

Hibs had won just one from five games but their tails were soon up with the opening goal coming after six minutes. Scott Allan hooked a high ball into the penalty area and Boyle got between two dithering defenders to meet it with a lovely cushioned volley.

Moments later, Melker Hallberg was fortunate to get away with a grapple round the neck of Uche Ikpeazu, with the big Hearts striker strangely muted in his claims for what looked like a nailed-on penalty.

There have been signs in previous games that Stendel has been trying to implement a high press at Hearts but there was little energy on show from the hosts in a limp first-half display.

There were further chances for Hibs as Vykintas Slivka shot wastefully wide after Jason Naismith robbed Aaron Hickey inside the penalty area and a wicked, curling corner from Allan clipped the back post, with goalkeeper Joel Pereira flapping at fresh air.

Boyle's second goal arrived on the half hour, with Allan nicking the ball away from an uncertain Loic Damour to send the speedy forward off and running before placing a calm shot beyond the advancing Pereira.

The Hearts fans, angrily venting their frustrations, were then on their feet in hope as a swerving strike from Ryotaro Meshino was beaten away by a flying Ofir Marciano.

Meshino was involved as the home side improved after the interval, drawing another save from Marciano and scuffing a good opening wide from 15 yards.

Ikpeazu skewed an angled effort wide under pressure, while a double block from Marciano at his near post denied Euan Henderson and Craig Halkett headed wide.

Hearts certainly saw more of the ball in the second half but familiar failings in the final third remain as they struggled to find openings in a defence bolstered by the return of Darren McGregor, who was solid throughout in his first start since August.

McGregor and fellow stalwarts Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson were fully committed at the back as Hibs kept a clean sheet for only the second time in eight games under Jack Ross.

Man of the match - Martin Boyle

BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin at Tynecastle

Meshino is the only player who can receive pass marks after another dismal day for Hearts.

On the other hand, Hibernian had a host of contenders for star man, with McGregor and Stevenson immense while Allan did not put a foot wrong, showing graft as well as guile.

However, the pace and finishing skills shown by Boyle was more than enough for him to earn top billing.

After a year where more often than not the winger has been on the treatment table, he is now back on full throttle and he absolutely tormented Hearts during the first 45 minutes.

'These games are all about winning' - reaction

Hearts head coach Daniel Stendel: "We showed in the second half that we can control a game. We dominated the game but we need the quality to score.

"We are losing games but it's not always about the opposition, a lot of times it's about our defensive behaviour."

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross: "These games are just all about winning and we found a way to do that. Second half, I'd liked us to have been better in possession but defensively we stood up to a lot.

"Martin is a great threat wherever he plays. Today, it suited him to play through the middle. I always knew he was quick but he's a good player as well. He has good awareness and his finishing is very good. The first one was a terrific finish."