Hearts keeper Zander Clark was struck by a missile thrown from the crowd during his side's derby win over Hibs.
The 30-year-old produced an excellent display in his first Edinburgh derby appearance but was left bloodied by a blow to the head in the closing stages.
Robbie Neilson's side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against their city rivals thanks to a Lawrence Shankland double and a strike from the returning Stephen Humphrys.
Clark, in for Craig Gordon after the veteran's double leg break, also made his mark with a superb double save from Josh Campbell in the second half.
But he ended the match receiving treatment on a head wound after an object thrown from the away end struck him.
However, it was an otherwise hugely positive afternoon for Hearts as they strengthened their grip on third place in the Premiership.
Aberdeen's goalless draw with Ross County allowed Neilson's team to move five points clear of the fourth-placed Dons, while also having played a game less.
They are also eight points ahead of Hibs, who are languishing down in eighth, and have picked up just three from the last 18 available to them.
They were punished for slack play early on at Tynecastle, Will Fish giving the ball away and allowing Cammy Devlin to tee up Shankland.
The Scotland striker then added a second from the spot after VAR adjudged that defender Rocky Bushiri had handled in the box.
And a perfect start to 2023 for the Tynecastle club was wrapped up in stoppage time as Humphrys added the gloss with a third.
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