Hearts 3 St Johnstone 0

By PA Sport Staff

Hearts winger Juanjo gave the Tynecastle club a reminder of just what they will be missing when he leaves the club as he masterminded a 3-0 win over St Johnstone.

The former Barcelona man is set to depart the club as part of cost-cutting at Tynecastle but fired a parting shot with a two-goal salvo which ended a four-game run of defeats.

Stephane Adam's first goal since May was sandwiched by both Juanjo efforts leaving new Saints manager Billy Stark under no illusions about the task ahead in his first league game as the team still search for their first win of the season.

But it was the influence of Juanjo which stole the show and, after just 45 seconds, he sent a 25-yard free-kick just wide of the St Johnstone goal.

The visitors forced a corner in the eighth minute and Stuart McCluskey's goalwards header from the corner was blocked by Scott Severin and then cleared to safety.

New signing from Leeds, Alan Maybury, gave the home support encouragement after 14 minutes by getting down the right flank to the by-line before sending over a good low cross.

McCluskey put the ball behind for a corner before Ross Forsyth cleared to safety after on loan Blackburn keeper Alan Miller had fumbled.

With Stark at the helm for his first league game the Perth side were giving a reasonable opening and, after 21 minutes, Paul Hartley crossed for Nick Dasovic who headed just wide.

After 26 minutes, Hearts made the breakthrough courtesy of a brilliant Juanjo header which gave keeper Miller no chance.

Severin sent in an excellent cross from the left and the Spaniard powered an excellent header into the bottom corner past the diving Miller.

The goal gave Hearts a lift and Thomas Flogel crossed for Andy Kirk but he was thwarted by Dods.

The unfortunate Kirk was injured and had to be replaced by Gary Wales on 34 minutes.

Hearts forced a couple of corners with Kemble just diverting a Stephen Simmons net-bound effort over the top from Flogel's first.

Then Juanjo sent in a corner which Maybury latched onto on the right of the box and crossed for Simmons with Miller blocking his effort.

But all the pressure eventually paid off for Hearts after 39 minutes when Mahe's cross from the left caused concern in the visitor's defence.

Adam pounced on hesitancy from Kemble before coolly flicking a chip over the helpless Miller.

Saints won a free-kick after 56 minutes but Hartley's kick was dealt with confidently by Finland international Antti Niemi who had been outstanding for his country against Germany last Saturday.

Hearts were close to a third after an Adam cut back was cleared by Kemble before sub Wales could finish.

Hartley had a shot deflected by Mahe into the home keeper's arms on the hour.

But, just 60 seconds later, Juanjo sealed the points for Hearts.

The winger started the move releasing Mahe on the left of the box and his excellent low ball across goal was finished off from close range by Juanjo for his second after 61 minutes.

St Johnstone brought on former Hearts man Darren Jackson for Hartley and he tried his best to lift his side but by now they had too much left to do.

The Hearts support left Juanjo and the club in no doubt as to their desires as they chanted his name.

But, while Juanjo basked in the glory, Saints will want to forget the afternoon.

Teams:

Hearts: Niemi, Flogel, Maybury, Pressley, Mahe, Severin (Sloan 86), Webster, Simmons, Juanjo, Adam, Kirk (Wales 32).

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, McKenna, Fulton.

Goals: Juanjo 26, Adam 37, Juanjo 61.

St Johnstone: Miller, McCluskey, Dods, Kemble, Forsyth, Hartley (Jackson 68), Dasovic, Murray, Connolly (McBride 45), Parker, Macdonald.

Subs Not Used: Cuthbert, Falconer, McClune.

Att: 10,735

Ref: T Brown (Scotland).


Taken from sportinglife.com