Wouter Vrancken enjoyed a memorable first Edinburgh derby in charge of Hearts as his rampant side cruised to a deserved 3-1 victory over 10-man Hibernian at Easter Road.
James Wilson and Laurent Mendy had the visitors two goals up at half-time before Hibs rallied early in the second half and pulled one back through substitute Adam Mayor.
Their hopes of a fightback were dashed, however, when Josh McPake - in front of the watching Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli - scored a brilliant third for Hearts shortly after Hibs sub Jack Iredale was sent off.
It was a seventh successive match unbeaten in all competitions for Hearts, who have recovered impressively after losing each of their first four matches under the ultra-cavalier Vrancken.
Home boss David Gray selected the same side which started Sunday’s victory at Dundee, with no place in the squad for new signings Alex Williams and Marko Ivezic.
Vrancken made two changes to the team which won 2-1 win against St Johnstone as Blair Spittal and Jamie McCart replaced Tomas Magnusson and Christian Borchgrevink.
The Jambos quickly set about seizing control and had a great chance in the ninth minute, but Claudio Braga headed wide from Calvin Miller’s cross.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when McPake eased away from Felix Passlack on the left and cut the ball back for teenager Wilson, who slotted home clinically from eight yards out.
Hearts continued in the ascendancy and Braga threatened on two further occasions, either side of a further blow for Hibs in the 28th minute when influential defender Jordan Obita limped off to be replaced by Iredale.
Hibernian finally began to summon a response as the interval approached, with Nathan Lowe denied by Beau Reus after getting in behind the away defence before Jacob Devaney fired a shot off the top of the crossbar.
The visitors reasserted their sense of authority in the 43rd minute, however, as Mendy rose to head home Spittal’s free-kick from just outside the six-yard box.
Gray made a double change at the break as Devaney and Callum Wright were replaced by Miguel Chaiwa and Mayor, and Hibs began the second half with renewed purpose as Josh Mulligan was denied by Reus before Passlack saw a shot charged down in the box.
The hosts got right back into contention when Mayor surged forward and rifled high into the net from 15 yards out after Mendy was dispossessed by Mulligan.
Hearts looked rattled and Oisin McEntee was almost punished for a slack passback, but Martin Boyle fired straight at the grateful Reus before Mayor blazed over from the edge of the box.
Just as Hibs pushed for an equaliser, they shot themselves in the foot when Iredale - needlessly booked in the first half - was shown a second yellow in the 62nd for catching Miller with a high boot.
Hearts made the extra man count within five minutes as McPake seized possession wide on the left and burst away from Passlack, Chaiwa and Kerr before firing home an angled shot with the aid of a deflection off Hanley.
Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken:
“It was really pleasing, we played a brilliant first half, and I was happy to see that, because it’s not easy for players with the weight of the game, playing an away game.
“We discussed at half-time that the only thing that could get us in problems is if we gave the moments away, and we gave it away.
“It was not needed, you give them some confidence, you get the crowd behind them, and then it’s important that we keep the focus and concentration there. I’m really proud that we did it.
“It was a really good team performance, but I’m happy to see the individuals like Josh make their steps,” said the Belgian, whose side are now unbeaten in seven match in all competitions.
“It was not always easy at the beginning, he had some troubles being decisive in the friendlies, and we spoke about it, and he makes improvements every week.
“I’m happy to see not only the goals he makes, but that he can keep the overview in the final third to make the right decisions.”
Hibernian boss David Gray:
"The first booking, for a senior player to go and do that is needless. Needless, and he knows that.
"It's a mistake, players make mistakes. But the message at half-time was 'make sure you don't get sent off, nothing silly,' because we've been in this movie before with self-inflicted red cards.
"I think it's very self-inflicted at that point, but it certainly took all the momentum out of the game for us which was definitely with us at that point.
"The first-half performance wasn't where it needed to be and we deservedly went in behind at half time.
"We made a few changes, I could have changed anybody though. We started the second half really well, got on the front foot, scored a good goal.
"Then I can't defend or really understand the multitude of errors that come for the self-inflicted red card at that point."
