Hearts 2 Aberdeen 0

Hearts served notice of their intention to mount another serious challenge to the Old Firm this season as they comfortably disposed of early Premier League leaders Aberdeen at Tynecastle today.

Jim Jefferies' side effectively wrapped up the three points that took them to the top of the table with a devastating opening blitz that saw them 2-0 up inside 11 minutes.

Steve Fulton, with a tremendous 20-yard volley, and a first goal for his new club by defender Steven Pressley saw the Dons swept aside under an early deluge from which they never recovered.

When Aberdeen defender Gary Smith was sent off for two clumsy challenges on the impressive Gary Locke halfway through the second half, the only surprise was that the home side failed to add more.

With Craig Brown in attendance, they can expect further reward for their efforts when the Scotland manager names his squad on Thursday for the first European Championship qualifier against Lithuania.

One of those who may receive a first senior call-up, Paul Ritchie, was duly recalled to the starting line-up after missing the midweek League Cup win over Raith through suspension.

But Pressley retained his place on the right hand side of a new defensive formation, with Rob McKinnon handed a full debut in midfield alongside Steve Fulton and skipper Locke.

There was also a first start of the season for Angolan winger Jose Quitongo, who replaced the injured Neil McCann on the left flank.

McKinnon took advantage of his more advanced role to fire in a shot as early as the second minute which was deflected for a corner.

But the home fans did not have long to wait for the opener, and a superb goal it was too.

Quitongo and McKinnon combined neatly on the left before the ball arrived at the feet of Stephane Adam on the edge of the area.

The Frenchman laid it into the path of the advancing Fulton, who took a quick look up before firing a left foot volley from 20 yards over Jim Leighton into the top left hand corner.

Before the Dons had time to recover from that blow, Pressley had added a second goal after 11 minutes.

Fulton swung in a free kick from the left which Adam got his head to, but as Leighton attempted to collect, the ball squirmed from his grasp and the former Dundee United star gleefully swept in the rebound from close range.

Aberdeen boss Alex Miller had rung the changes after their League Cup reverse at Hibs in midweek, Andy Dow making his full debut on the left and Jamie Buchan and Ricky Gillies both brought into midfield.

But the visitors almost found themselves three down after 17 minutes, Quitongo weaving his magic on the edge of the area before firing a stinging right foot shot narrowly over.

Craig Hignett went close at the other end with a curling effort that was a yard too high, but it was a moment's respite from an impressive Hearts onslaught.

Locke in particular was revelling in a more advanced role in midfield, his tigerish tackling and neat passing much to the fore.

Dons defender Smith did well to head a Gary Naysmith cross for a corner as Jim Hamilton threatened to snatch a third on the half hour.

Aberdeen's frustration then saw Billy Dodds cautioned for a tackle from behind on Fulton, although Dow might have done better after 39 minutes when he fired right across goal when well placed.

Naysmith then inadvertently almost let the visitors back into the game, his header back to Gilles Rousset forcing the big keeper to dive low to send the ball for a corner.

Aberdeen came out after the interval looking more purposeful, no doubt with a verbal roasting from Miller ringing in their ears.

Gillies toe-poked a right foot effort narrowly wide of Rousset's left hand post inside the first minute, and should have done better with a similar shooting opportunity three minutes later, but failed to connect properly as his shot bobbled wide.

But Hearts gradually reasserted their grip on proceedings, Locke playing a neat one-two with Hamilton in a flowing move that ended with Leighton tipping the striker's powerful header round a post.

Any chance Aberdeen had of taking anything from the game disappeared after 65 minutes when Smith clattered into Locke for the second time in five minutes, leaving referee Jim McCluskey little option but to send the defender off.

Hignett, forced ever deeper in search of scraps to feed off, summed up a hugely disappointing afternoon for the visitors when he was booked for dissent after seeing a hopeful shot sail high over Rousset's bar.

Teams

Hearts: Rousset, Naysmith, Weir, Ritchie, Fulton, Adam (Holmes 80), Hamilton (Salvatori 90), Locke, Quitongo, McKinnon (Makel 90), Pressley.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Horn.

Goals: Fulton 7, Pressley 11.

Aberdeen: Leighton, Perry (Derek Young 80), Whyte, Inglis, Smith, Hignett, Jess, Dodds, Dow, Buchan, Gillies (Kiriakov 67).

Subs Not Used: Stillie, Darren Young, McCaffrey.

Sent Off: Smith (65).

Booked: Dodds, Hignett.

Att: 14,592

Ref: J McCluskey (Stewarton).


Taken from sportinglife.com