Hibernian vs Hearts. Scottish Cup Fifth Round.
Easter RoadAttendance20,205.
Thursday 23 February 2017 11:12, UK
Hibernian are through to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup after beating local rivals Hearts 3-1 in a fifth-round replay at Easter Road on Wednesday.
The Scottish Championship leaders will next host Ayr United in the last eight on March 4, having powered into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Jason Cummings (21), Grant Holt (37) and Andrew Shinnie (63).
Esmael Goncalves pulled one back for Hearts with 20 minutes left but it was a disappointing night for the visitors overall, while a second Scottish Cup win in succession remains a possibility for Hibs.
A crowd of 20,205 packed into Easter Road and the home fans were celebrating after 20 minutes.
Shinnie started on the bench but came on after just three minutes because of an injury to Chris Humphrey and produced a beautiful pass to split the away defence, allowing the prolific Cummings to take a touch and then find the bottom corner of the Hearts net.
Hibs almost doubled their lead but Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton did well to deny John McGinn and Shinnie put the rebound over.
But the hosts were well on top and added to their advantage moments later, Holt flicking the ball home with the outside of his right foot after great work from Cummings, who cut inside from the left before finding his team mate with a clever pass.
Jamie Walker wasted a Hearts opportunity after the break and the visitors found themselves three-down just after the hour.
Shinnie dribbled past a defender and let fly from the edge of the box with a powerful shot but the previously impressive Hamilton appeared to be somewhat at fault as the ball found its way into the net.
The Ladbrokes Premiership side looked beaten but five minutes later were handed a lifeline when referee Steven McLean ruled that Hibs defender Darren McGregor had fouled Goncalves in the box.
Home keeper Ofir Marciano saved the striker's penalty and then the rebound, but the former St Mirren forward got a very kind break of the ball and bundled it over the line at the third attempt.
The match swung from end to end in the closing stages but there were no further goals, although McGregor nodded a Cummings free-kick into the net, only to see had been flagged offside.
Scottish Cup quarter-final fixtures:
Saturday, March 4: Rangers v Hamilton (12.30pm - live on Sky Sports), Hibernian v Ayr United (3pm).
Sunday, March 5: Celtic v St Mirren (12.30pm - live on Sky Sports), Aberdeen v Partick Thistle (3pm).
