Marink Reedijk secured his first win as Hibernian boss in a memorable 2-1 Scottish League Cup semi-final victory over Hearts as the Edinburgh side beat their city rivals at Barclays Hampden for the first time.
A frenetic derby got up and running in the fourth minute when Jambos attacker Claudio Braga headed in from a corner but returning Hibs striker Martin Boyle deservedly levelled in the 19th minute with a poacher's goal.
A compelling encounter continued and midfielder Jamie McGrath put the on-top Hibees ahead three minutes before the interval, which gave the Gorgie side time to reset and put pressure on their opponents after the break.
Although Hearts retained a threat, a stout defensive display by the Leith team means they will meet Rangers in the final at the national stadium on December 13.
Hearts had won the four previous meetings between the teams at Hampden - in 2006, 2012, 2020 and 2022 - but this was Hibs' day.
What the managers said...
Hibs boss Marink Reedijk on Hibs fans' emotional rendition of 'Sunshine on Leith' following the win:
"I'm not always showing my emotions, but it's really touching. Maybe it looks like I'm an ice king, so to say. Normally in Holland we say ice queen, but therefore an ice king because I'm not a woman.
"For me, it is really important that this happens and it comes close to my heart because this is what football is about.
"Guys who inspire people on the pitch with something people off the pitch and in the stands love to see. That is what football is about."
Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken:
"It didn't have to go this way because we had control of the game when it started. I think it started when Tomas (Magnusson) was injured, that's clear, and afterwards Calvin Miller.
"And those two changes - I am not pointing at the players who came in - but the changes took us off the rhythm.
"We were strong in the duels and second balls, then you lose these profiles, then it is searching again and hesitation and sometimes those hesitations give them too much space and you lose the game in those 20 minutes.
"We dominated the game again but it was just a pity that we didn't get rewarded because we have had a lot of knocks already, also today, and you just hope they get rewarded."
