Hearts 3 Motherwell 1

Ricardo Fuller celebrated the decision to extend his loan at Hearts until the end of the season with a two-goal salvo to give the Jambos a 3-1 win over Motherwell at Tynecastle.

Well winger Stuart Elliott had given the visitors a half-time lead but Jamaican Fuller struck early in the second period before defender Kevin McKenna added a second.

Fuller then rounded off the scoring with a sublime run from deep to wrap up the points.

But the Fir Park had their disappointment compounded by the dismissal of defender Eddie Forrest for two bookable offences.

Hearts were first out of the blocks when Alan Maybury sent in a good cross within seconds of the start but there were no takers.

But both sides were creating chances with Fuller going on an exciting 30-yard run before cutting inside and having a shot saved by Stephen Woods.

At the other end, Steven Hammell sent over a great cross from the left which Elliott headed narrowly wide after getting himself into a tremendous position.

Hearts went close through Gary Wales to head over from Stephen Simmons' cross before Stephane Mahe shot over from 30 yards.

But the visitors took a 20th minute lead through Elliott who could not believe his luck after Austrian international Thomas Flogel set him up with an atrocious back-pass.

The Northern Ireland forward punished the lapse in concentration by hitting a left-foot shot into the top corner from eight yards.

Then Motherwell earned a free-kick after Simmons fouled Elliott however 18-year-old James McFadden shot into the side-netting.

Former Celtic defender Stephane Mahe sent a good cross into the Motherwell box but striker Wales headed wide.

The card count went to three very quickly when firstly Motherwell's Forrest was booked for a late challenge on Fuller.

On 41 minutes, the Jamaican himself was booked for a foul on Scott Leitch.

Hearts striker Wales had a goal chalked off for offside in the 45th minute after firing home at the back-post from a Kevin McKenna knock on after a Boyack cross.

The only change at the break was Hearts youngster Simmons who was still carrying a knock from last week's win over Kilmarnock was replaced by the experienced Steve Fulton.

Referee Ian Fyfe had incurred the wrath of the Tynecastle faithful at the break after the shot from Wales was ruled out for offside in a contentious decision.

But Wales had only himself to blame for missing a clear opportunity to equalise on 49 minutes after skipper Pressley played a great pass from the right.

Although the striker got himself in a great position he side-footed wide from eight yards with only the keeper to beat.

But, soon after, the home side were back on level terms after Hammell was booked for tripping Steven Boyack.

Substitute Fulton's excellent free-kick was finished superbly with a brilliant near post diving header by Fuller.

The pendulum of the game now appeared to be swinging in the favour of the home side.

And, in the 61st minute, Motherwell defender Forrest was sent off for a second booking after he was adjudged to have held back Wales who was trying to break on the left wing.

To their credit, Motherwell were fighting to stay in contention, however, with 11 minutes to go, they were finished off by a touch of real class from Fuller who went on an incredible run of over 50 yards before finding the net.

The Jamaican striker picked the ball up in his own half and beat a couple of defenders before completely outpacing Motherwell defender Eric Deloumeaux and coolly rounding Woods to finish.

Teams:

Hearts: Niemi, Maybury, Pressley, McKenna, Mahe, Boyack, Simmons (Fulton 45), Gronlund (Kirk 75), Flogel, Wales (Weir 74), Fuller.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Webster.

Booked: Fuller.

Goals: Fuller 54, McKenna 64, Fuller 79.

Motherwell: Woods, Forrest, Deloumeaux, Strong, Hammell, Soloy (Corrigan 67), Leitch, Lasley, McFadden (Pearson 87), Kelly, Elliott (Adams 87).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Martinez.

Sent Off: Forrest (60).

Booked: Lasley, Forrest, Hammell, McFadden.

Goals: Elliott 20.

Att: 10,674

Ref: I Fyfe (Scotland).


Taken from sportinglife.com