Hearts 2-1 Falkirk

Nov 23 2008 Rob Fairburn Reports

HEARTS boss Csaba Laszlo hailed Andy Driver as the new Diego Maradona after his wonder winner.

The flying winger did a cracking impression of the Argentina legend's famous solo goal against England in the 1986 World Cup - days after the great man had coached his side to victory against Scotland at Hampden.

Driver, 21 last Thursday, beat three defenders before rounding the keeper and tucking the ball into the empty net.

It capped a marvellous fightback by the Jambos who had fallen behind to a Steve Lovell goal in the 16th minute.

Laszlo couldn't hide his delight and said: "A lot of people have said to me it was like Maradona's. I am not a blind man, I saw it myself.

"If people are making parallels with Maradona then so be it.

"We have been telling Andy to run at defenders and it is reward for all the hard work he has done in the summer.

"Bruno Aguiar also scored and he has been staying behind after training and practising free-kicks and that has paid off.

I am pleased with the result."

Driver wasn't impressed at being compared with a legend and said: "I am a bit embarrassed about that. There is a big difference in the goals.

"I was speaking to Lee Bullen afterwards and he said he should have brought me down. I'm glad he didn't."

Driver's brilliance earned Hearts their fourth league win on the trot - something they haven't achieved since the days of George Burley. But the game only went ahead after groundstaff repaired metal goalposts damaged by a vandal who broke into Tynecastle in the early hours of the morning.

Hearts should have been in front in eight minutes when Lee Wallace made his way along the bye-line and cut the ball back to Christian Nade whose shot was blocked.

Two minutes later Robbie Neilson's long throw from the right caused havoc and Aguiar's stunning 16-yard volley whistled just over.

But it was Falkirk who broke the deadlock with Michael Higdon's pass slicing open the centre of the defence and Lovell keeping his composure to steer past Janos Balogh.

Hearts response was quick and after Darren Barr was penalised for a foul on Nade up stepped Aguiar to send a glorious 25-yard free-kick into the roof of the net.

Driver was a real threat down the left and his 59th-minute winner was a peach.

Arnau Riera and Bullen got in a mess in the centre of the park and Driver slid in to win the ball.

He then beat both players and Barr on a mazy run before rounding keeper Scott Flinders and tucking into an empty net.

Hearts switched Driver to the right immediately after the goal with David Obua coming on and taking over his position. Jambos missed chances to make it three before Falkirk pushed at the end.

Chris Mitchell's effort from the touchline was tipped over the bar by Balogh then Bullen's header was cleared off the line by Aguiar.

Deep into injury Higdon headed wide from close range when it looked easier to score.

REF WATCH

EDDIE SMITH tried his hardest to keep his cards in his pocket but was eventually forced to flash yellow three times. Let an entertaining game flow without much interference. A good all-round display. RATING: 6/10.

HEARTS

Shots on 3

Shots off 4

Offside 2

Fowls 18

Corners 3

Bookings 2

FALKIRK

Shots on 3

Shots off 7

Offside 0

Fowls 8

Corners 3

Bookings 1

Taken from the Sunday Mail