Celtic came from behind to beat bottom club Hibernian and restore a four-point lead at the top, while Hearts left Fir Park with a much-needed 2-0 win over a Motherwell side now sinking deeper into trouble.
Hibernian 1-2 Celtic
Hibs could not have asked for a better start at Easter Road. Owen Elding, drafted in after illness ruled Martin Boyle out, lashed the hosts in front after only three minutes following a quick Joe Newell free-kick.
But the lead lasted barely two minutes. From a Celtic corner, Jason Kerr headed into his own net to level, before Camilo Duran produced the decisive moment just before half-time. The Colombian cut inside and hammered a left-footed strike beyond Raphael Sallinger for his 10th goal of the season.
Hibs had chances to respond, with Thibaut Klidje failing to keep down a lob after more hesitation in the Celtic defence, while Josh Mulligan’s late effort was blocked by Cameron Carter-Vickers. Celtic, though, held firm to make it nine wins from 10 Premiership matches under Martin O’Neill.
For Hibs, the defeat extends a miserable run as they remain bottom of the table, a point adrift, and without a league win for two months.
Motherwell 0-2 Hearts
Hearts left Lanarkshire with their first Premiership win outside Edinburgh since January, overcoming blustery Storm Boelo conditions and a stubborn Motherwell side.
Claudio Braga gave Hearts the lead on 29 minutes, climbing above the home defence to head past Alex Paulsen for his fifth goal of the season. Motherwell pushed hard after the break, but could not turn their pressure into an equaliser.
The points were sealed four minutes from time when substitute Calvin Miller collected a loose ball outside the box and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner. It was Miller’s seventh goal of the season and a killer blow for the Steelmen.
Motherwell’s sixth consecutive league defeat is their worst run since 2003, leaving them just a point above bottom spot with two wins from 10 games. New manager Alfred Johansson’s difficult start continues, with injuries further compounding the club’s problems on the pitch.