a bit of tinkering to do

The unexpected bonus of securing Michael Stewart on a year's loan from Manchester United could not have come at a better time. Scott Severin, an influential player at Tynecastle, has left for Aberdeen and was always going to be a huge miss. He was the conduit between attack and defence and Stewart will be handed the responsibility of bringing back that balance to Hearts.

He made his debut just after half time and was magnificent for 20 minutes before fading badly. He was running on adrenaline to begin with but after that looked very tired. That wasn't surprising as he hadn't played a competitive game since last Christmas. He also missed out on pre-season training as he tried to sort out his future.

Andy Cole, his former team-mate at Manchester United believes Stewart will be a great asset. The striker, who signed for Fulham in the close-season, was magnificent against Hearts and his class shone through.
"Michael has bags of talent, can knit the midfield together and it was really unfortunate things didn't work out for him at United," said Cole. "You will have to ask the manager why it didn't, but there are a lot of good midfielders there and they've just sold Nicky Butt."

Fulham took the lead after only four minutes when giant defender Zat Knight headed home a Claus Jensen corner with the defence sleeping. Their second goal, in 76 minutes, had class written all over it. Thomas Radzinski rolled the ball along the 18-yard line to Cole who side-footed the ball low into the corner of the net.
Hearts did get a late penalty when Edwin van der Sar saved a Steven Pressley spot-kick and a late consolation goal would have been just reward.

Afterwards, Pressley said the club's main aim would be to try and split the Old Firm and the acquisition of Stewart could help them do that.
"I admire Michael's attitude because he could have remained at Old Trafford for two years picking up his wage packet," said Pressley. "He has taken a wage cut to come here and wants to prove himself.
"It will be difficult this year because both Rangers and Celtic have stronger squads. We have to stay injury free and we have the players to mount that challenge. Over the course of the 38 games, the form book doesn't lie."

Hearts (4-4-2) Gordon (Moilanen 45); Maybury, Pressley, Berra (Stewart 47), McAllister (Neilson 28); Stamp (Janczyk 77), Hartley, Kisnorbo, Hamill (Simmons 77); Pereira (Wyness 73), De Vries (Weir 36)
Subs: MacFarlane, Sloan

Fulham (4-4-2) Crossley (Van der Sar 45); Volz, Bonnisel (Radzinksi 45), Pearce, Knight; Rehman, Legwinksi, Jensen (Green 45) Pratley (McKinlay 66); Cole (McBride 77), John. Subs: Goma, Pembridge, Rosenior, Bocanegra, Leacock
Referee: John Rowbotham