Bobby Williamson brought his Hibernian side in confident mood, however they were quickly undone by a spirited and energetic Hearts side intent on revenge for their humbling defeat the previous season.

There was a new look about Hearts this time though. Jim Jefferies had departed and had joined Bradford City. Craig Levein was the man in the hot seat and was to develop a fine record in derby games. In a boost to the gorgie club, Gordan Petric had also left.

New striker Mark de Vries mad his home debut for the club in front of an attendance of 15,245.

Mike McCurry blew his whistle and the game started at it's usual frenetic pace, with both sides having chances before Andy Kirk opened the scoring after 18 mins, running onto a through ball and lobbing keeper Tony Caig from the edge of the box.

The lively Northern Irishman should have notched his second minutes later, but made a hash of his header after another great pick out from Valois.

The second wasn't long in coming though, after more good work from Jean-Louis Valois, who danced down the left flank, before cutting inside and prodding through a deft dinked pass to Mark de Vries, who chested the ball down and finished emphatically high into the net. It was an impressive start from the Dutchman, and was a sign of things to come.

Derek Townsley had a chance to snatch a goal back for hibs before the break, but Hearts keeper Antti Niemi made a good stop from a tight angle to ensure Hearts went in at the interval cruising at 2-0.

Blobby's half time bridies must have done the trick however, as the visitors hit the ground running in the 2nd half.

Spaniard Paco Luna combined well with Grant Brebner to set up Ian Murray, who gleefully nodded the hibees back into the match.

The Hibs fans behind the goal were ecstatic and no doubt imminently expecting an equaliser. The renaissance only lasted 15 minutes though, as de Vries helped himself to his second goal of the afternoon, guiding home from 12 yards after Valois' shot had been parried by Tony Caig.

Hibs missed a great chance to hit back immediately, Townsley got himself into the box but somehow failed to connect with a knock down from one yard out.

With the game heading into added time, it looked looked like a quiet ending to the afternoon's proceedings, but there was more to come. Scott Severin showed tremendous energy on the counter attack, feeding McMullan down the left, who picked out de Vries on the right edge of the penalty area. The big striker turned the Hibs defence inside out before placing a delightful chip into the net to complete an incredible hat-trick and send Tynecastle into raptures.

With the away end all but empty, The Hearts fans must have thought they had seen it all, but there was more to come as substitute Gary Wales chased down a lost cause and crossed to the back post. De Vries again lay in wait and placed a textbook header across the now demoralised goalkeeper to make it 5-1 and 4 for the afternoon for the home debutant.

Craig Levein could hardly contain himself at the result, beaming : "I thought we could have had another four or five goals. Hibs had chances, but we had opportunities ourselves, and their goalkeeper made some brilliant saves. I couldn't be more happy."

Williamson was somewhat more downbeat and clearly shell shocked by his teams performance, grumbling: "At times we seemed to be all over the place and we let everyone down. I just hope that we can learn from this game - because if we don't then we'll struggle."

The day will belonged to de Vries though, ensuring his place in Jambos folklore by single-handedly destroying the old enemy on his home debut.

Are there any memorable matches you would like revisited?

We need your help with material and ideas to help relive those glory days.

Please let us know by emailing the editor and see if you can help - Email Editor