DONS NO MATCH FOR RAMPANT HEARTS

Hearts 4 v 1 Aberdeen
Two devastating spells from Hearts and some dreadful defensive lapses for Aberdeen earned the Tynecastle side all three points.

With owner Vladimir Romanov in the stands for the first time this season, Hearts produced one of their finest displays to see off the slipshod Dons.

First-half strikes from Andrew Driver and Andrius Velicka had Hearts two goals up inside 14 minutes and, after Jeffrey de Visscher pulled one back, second-half strikes from Ibrahim Tall and Christian Nade wrapped up the points.

A blistering start from Hearts blew away their rivals for a UEFA Cup spot last season and the turnaround in goal difference sent the Edinburgh side into the top six above their opponents.

Aberdeen appeared to suffer a hangover from Thursday night's UEFA Cup draw with Lokomotiv Moscow and only briefly awoke from their slumber to grab a lifeline eight minutes from the break when De Visscher scored.

Up until that point their best chance of avoiding defeat appeared to be when the Tynecastle floodlights went out momentarily before power was restored.

Hearts made only one change - goalkeeper Steve Banks for Anthony Basso - from the side which drew 1-1 with city rivals Hibs in last weekend's Edinburgh derby and were rewarded with a superb display.

The match kicked off at an incredible pace with half chances at both ends before Hearts took a third-minute lead.

Ricky Foster made two mistakes in failing to clear under pressure from Driver and, as the Dons rearguard struggled to clear the ball as it ricocheted around the box, Driver forced it over the line via the post from barely a yard out.

The loss of such an early goal was the last thing Aberdeen needed and 11 minutes later they were two goals behind after another nightmare at the back.

Driver and Andrius Ksanavicius worked a short corner and, when keeper Jamie Langfield flapped at the cross under pressure from Nade, Velicka bundled in from close range.

Substitute Chris Clark almost earned his side a lifeline in the 27th minute when he struck the top of the bar but Nade could have added a third before Aberdeen grabbed a goal against the run of play.

Former Hearts midfielder Scott Severin launched a diagonal ball over the Hearts defence and when De Visscher cut inside Jose Goncalves he arrowed a left-foot shoot past Steve Banks in the home goal.

Aberdeen opened the second half knowing that their first-half defensive calamities could all be forgotten with an equaliser.

But with 53 minutes on the clock Hearts showed the Dons how it should be done as they netted a third.

Michael Stewart's inswinging set-piece was wonderfully placed for Tall to storm onto the pass and power in a header from 12 yards out.

The goal gave Hearts some breathing space again and they responded by pitching Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston into the fray in place of Velicka.

And the richly-talented midfielder had a hand in Hearts' fourth in the 62nd minute as they sealed all three points.

Kingston fed Andrius Ksanavicius and the little Lithuanian in turn found Nade. When his first shot was blocked by Zander Diamond it fell fortuitously back to the French striker and he buried his effort at the second attempt.

Taken from The Press and Journal