Hearts FC

JOSE GONCALVES returned to the Hearts team for his first appearance since 30 December last year but could not prevent his team’s recent winning sequence coming to an end.
Morgaro Gomis scored the decisive goal with the aid of a deflection 12 minutes from time after a United-dominated second half, securing a result which consolidates the Tayside club’s position in third place in the SPL.

Goncalves was a surprise inclusion by visiting manager Jim Jefferies, who pledged never to select him again unless he signed a contract extension. However, the complete absence of central defenders forced his recall. Jefferies had hoped to reinstate Ismael Bouzid but the Algerian international has now injured the other hamstring from that damaged in last month’s Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final. Dawid Kucharski failed to train on Thursday and Friday and was thus ruled out, likewise Marius Zaliukas, while Eggert Jonsson served a one-match suspension.

Hearts arrived at Tannadice on the back of three consecutive victories and enjoyed a notable period of pressure early in the match. Once United settled into their rhythm they became difficult to dislodge and it was they who emerged strongest after the interval before breaking the deadlock through Gomis. Craig Conway’s right-sided free-kick fell to Garry Kenneth, and his measured pass allowed Gomis to convert past Janos Balogh via a defender.

Goncalves performed admirably throughout considering he answered an SOS to play with his own thigh problem less than fully cured. He partnered Lee Wallace in the centre of a makeshift Hearts defence with Jason Thomson at right-back and David Obua left-back. There was another last-minute change after Michael Stewart sustained an injury during the warm-up and was replaced in the starting XI by Paul Mulrooney.

When proceedings began it was Hearts who initially assumed command. Suso’s ninth-minute effort from 20 yards produced an impressive save from Dusan Pernis, the United goalkeeper. Seconds later, Jamie Mole sent Thomson’s cross looping only narrowly wide as the visitors caused untold problems amongst the home rearguard. That said, they were slightly fortunate not be penalised for handball in their own penalty box as Obua fell on the ball whilst challenging David Goodwillie.

The entertainment continued throughout an extremely open first period. Balogh knew little about his first save of the afternoon when Kenneth struck Conway’s corner off the Hearts goalkeeper. Then, as the match ebbed and flowed, Hearts poured forward once again for Mulrooney to intercept a clearance before dispatching a powerful left-footed shot which was only stopped by the fingertips of Pernis.

Goodwillie passed up the clearest opening thus far on the half-hour, with United looking considerably more assertive going forward. Supplied with the ball unmarked in the inside right channel, the young striker contrived to steer his shot wide of the Hearts goal when an attempt on target was the bare minumum expected. By the time the interval arrived, a total of 15 attempts at goal had been recorded, exemplifying the context of the fare on offer.

The second half began with Christian Nade’s reappearance following an altercation with team-mate Ian Black at Celtic Park last month. He replaced Jamie Mole in attack but could not stem United’s probing. From Goodwillie’s 64th-minute cross, midfielder Prince Buaben powered a downward header wide of goal despite being unmarked. The same player then found himself with another priceless opening when Conway crossed into his path ten yards from goal, but the first-time shot careered off Obua and bounced wide.

On 78 minutes Hearts’ resistence was breached. Conway’s free-kick landed at the feet of Kenneth, who teed up Gomis to plant the ball beyond Balogh with the help of a rather cruel deflection. The celebrations amongst the United support emphasised the importance of the goal with little time for Hearts to fashion a response.

Hearts consigned Aberdeen to a third straight defeat, despite having Laryea Kingston sent off at Pittodrie.

The midfielder saw red following a dangerous tackle on Fraser Fyvie early in the second half.

But the Dons were unable to take advantage of their superior manpower and fell behind when Eggert Jonsson’s overhead kick flew into the net.

Aberdeen rarely threatened and their delivery into the box posed few problems to the Hearts rearguard.

The victory for Hearts, their third on the trot, takes them eight points clear of seventh-placed Aberdeen, who have a game in hand.

An early slip by Hearts full-back Dawid Kucharski almost allowed Aberdeen in on goal but Lee Wallace mopped up the danger.

Jonsson blazed over the Aberdeen crossbar as both sides struggled to carve out decent scoring chances.

Aberdeen’s Ricky Foster fired into the side-netting after being presented with possession on the edge of the Hearts box before, at the other end, there were faint appeals for a penalty following Gary McDonald’s challenge on Ryan Stevenson.

Kucharski limped off injured and and was soon replaced by Kingston.

Stevenson’s shot was claimed by goalkeeper Jamie Langfield seconds before the referee’s whistle ended the opening period.

Hearts’ injury woes continued after the interval as Marius Zaliukas left the field for treatment on what appeared to be a hamstring injury and, while the defender was off the park, the visitors’ numbers were further reduced by Kingston’s dismissal.

The Ghana midfielder caught Fyvie with a high challenge and was promptly ordered off by referee Willie Collum.

Paul Mulrooney was sent on in place of Zaliukas before Darren Mackie’s flicked header was collected by Hearts keeper Janos Balogh.

Charlie Mulgrew tried to take Balogh by surprise by shooting from a free-kick wide on the left but the keeper positioned himself well to hold the attempt.

Hearts took a surprise lead in the 64th minute when Calum Elliot’s shot cannoned high into the air off Mulgrew and no-one challenged Jonsson as he acrobatically volleyed past Langfield.

Elliot cut in from the left and fired a shot at Langfield as Hearts looked to close the game out.

A mis-hit shot by Mulgrew and effort wide by substitute Michael Paton typified Aberdeen’s frustration in front of goal.

Wallace was the next Hearts player to receive treatment after a clash of heads with team-mate David Obua produced a gash on the side of the full-back’s forehead but he soon returned to play sporting a bandage to help his side see out the final few minutes.