Hearts and Hibs maintained their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership but missed the chance to go hit top spot as they battled out a goalless draw at Tynecastle.
Both goalkeepers were outstanding with Craig Gordon in particular pulling off some stunning stops to ensure the Jambos earned a point.
The stalemate means no home side has won any of the last eight Edinburgh derby encounters following this latest capital clash.
Hibs had plenty of the ball in the opening quarter of an hour but it was Hearts who had the first real effort when Ben Woodburn flashed a shot just over from Gary Mackay-Steven’s neat lay-off.
And at the other end Joe Newell’s cross-cum-shot bounced off the top of Gordon’s crossbar as the Jambos' goalkeeper was almost caught out.
As expected, it was frantic stuff and Liam Boyce’s header landed on the roof of the net after he got on the end of Stephen Kingsley’s cross.
Kevin Nisbet is usually effective in the opposition penalty box but the striker was perfectly placed to clear Kingsley’s effort from creeping in.
Mackay-Steven then let fly from long range after a quick free-kick which Matt Macey was forced to push away.
Gordon was then equal to Martin Boyle’s effort at the other end with a brilliant one-handed stop to deny the Australia international.
And the Scotland shot-stopper pulled off an ever better save on the stroke of half-time as he got a fingertip to Boyle’s shot, although Nick Walsh failed to spot that as no corner was given.
Both goalkeepers were on top form as former Arsenal man Macey pulled off a superb stop to deny Mackay-Steven who was put through by Woodburn.
Macey then pushed away Josh Ginnelly’s header after the Jambos man was picked out by fellow substitute and debutant Barrie McKay with Gordon thwarting Kyle Magennis late on.
Nisbet volleyed just off target with 10 minutes left as both sides chased a winner but neither side could get the breakthrough despite Paul Hanlon almost diverting into his own net at the death.
Here’s three talking points from Gorgie:
Class Keepers
Craig Gordon is back to being the undisputed number one for Scotland and he showed again why Steve Clarke is lucky to have him.
With David Marshall having dropped down the pecking order and Allan McGregor retired from international duty, Gordon is the last man standing of the trio of top class goalkeepers of the last 15 years.
Gordon is enjoying a new lease of life at his first love Hearts and he was in fine form here with one save in particular to touch a Martin Boyle shot round the post outstanding.
The 38-year-old had earlier denied Boyle with a strong one-handed save and a late stop from Kyle Magennis.
But opposite number Matt Macey was also in top form and he pulled off a stunning stop to deny Gary Mackay-Steven in the second half.
Dogged derby
It’s rarely a classic when these two sides collide and that was the case again in a much-anticipated clash in Gorgie.
There had been so much excitement ahead of this one with fans allowed back in and the fixture missing from the top flight last season.
And with the Sky Sports cameras in Edinburgh there was real hope the rivals could put on a show for the nation.
That wasn’t the case but it had everything else you would expect from the derby with plenty of blood and thunder in a game that was played at a frenetic pace at times.
Fan-tastic
This is the kind of atmosphere a derby should be played in as the sides met at a sell-out Tynecastle for the first time in almost two years
While Rangers and Celtic couldn’t agree on an away allocation for the recent Old Firm clash at Ibrox, the capital clubs benefited from a full house.
The healthy Hibs support undoubtedly added to the occasion as the rival fans enjoyed banter throughout and it’s great to have the fixture back in the top flight.
