Porter shows Laszlo what Hearts need so desperately

STEPHEN HALLIDAY
AT FIR PARK
CHRIS PORTER last night validated Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo's high opinion of him when he displayed the kind of finishing the Tynecastle club desperately lack, scoring the only goal of a generally drab and low quality SPL fixture.
The English forward, watched last night by Sheffield United who have also been linked with a move for him, ensured Motherwell maintained their recent resurgence with a victory which lifts Mark McGhee's side seven points clear of the foot of the table and rekindles their ambition of a top four finish.

It was a dismal evening for Hearts who have now gone more than seven hours without a goal, taking just two points from their last four games. Wearing black armbands on the day their club lost one of their greatest ever forwards in Alfie Conn Snr, their need for a new recruit in that department was again painfully evident.

While Laszlo may now be encouraged to step up his pursuit of Porter, he must also brace himself for the departure of some of his most influential players. Everton were also among the host of English clubs represented at Fir Park last night with Hearts captain Christophe Berra believed to be the reason for their scout's attendance.

Laszlo's pre-match declaration of interest in Porter ensured the Hearts supporters would be paying close attention to the Motherwell striker but they would not have been especially gratified to see their manager's assessment of the player vindicated so quickly. The former Oldham man's early opener was no more than the home side merited as they made a brighter and more purposeful start to the contest. Hearts, with Marius Zaliukas back alongside Berra in central defence following suspension, were quickly on the back foot as Motherwell used width and pace to seize the initiative. They might have gone ahead even before Porter's 11th-minute strike. A quickly taken free kick from Steven Hammell caught out the Hearts defence and allowed Jim O'Brien to break into space on the right.

The winger had plenty of team-mates to aim for in the penalty area but lacked the composure to pick one of them out, his poor cross drifting beyond them all. There was no lack of precision or deadliness, however, about the move which saw Motherwell take the lead. O'Brien redeemed himself with his involvement in a terrific passage of play, feeding the ball to Paul Quinn who in turn found Stephen Hughes on the right edge of the penalty area.

The midfielder spun cleverly to create the space to deliver a perfect cross to the back post which Porter, rising above Zaliukas, headed beyond Janos Balogh's right hand from six yards.

It was Porter's eighth goal of the season and a continuation of his recent fine form which has attracted interest from Hearts and other clubs during the current transfer window.

McGhee has expressed his surprise that David Clarkson, Porter's strike partner, has not been the subject of similar speculation and the young Scotland international almost made a spectacular impact on the match when he latched onto a weak attempted clearance from Ruben Palazuelos. Fortunately for Hearts, Clarkson failed to connect properly and his fierce volley flew over the top of Balogh's crossbar.

Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith did not have a save of note to make in the opening 45 minutes as Hearts long wait for a goal continued.

The closest they came to an equaliser before half-time was from a set piece. Keith Lasley conceded the free-kick with a foul on David Obua. Andrew Driver floated the ball into the penalty area and picked out Christian Nade, but the big Frenchman's back post header did not trouble Motherwell 'keeper Smith as the ball sailed over.

There was no sign of improvement from the visitors after the break and while Motherwell were unable to scale any heights themselves, they appeared as comfortable as it is possible to be with a 1-0 lead.

Laszlo made his first change of the night in the 63rd minute when he replaced the ineffective Nade with Calum Elliot, back at the club following a loan spell at Livingston. He received a hostile welcome from the Motherwell supporters, whom he failed to impress during a loan period at Fir Park last season, and the travelling fans seemed only marginally more enthusiastic about his introduction.

Hearts rapidly made their two remaining substitutions, sending on Gary Glen for Obua and then Deividas Cesnauskis for Lee Wallace, as they desperately sought to inject some urgency and threat in the attacking third of the pitch – but failed.

Motherwell (4-4-2): G Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell; O'Brien (Murphy 87), Hughes, Klimpl, Lasley; Porter (D Smith 86), Clarkson. Subs not used: Krysiak, Malcolm, Sutton, McGarry, Saunders.

Hearts (4-4-1-1): Balogh, Neilson, Zaliukas, Berra, Wallace; Jonsson, Stewart, Palazuelos, Driver; Obua (Glen 68); Nade (Elliot 63). Subs not used: Kello, Cesnauskis, McGowan, Templeton, Rapnik.

Taken from the Scotsman