Kilmarnock 1 - 2 Hearts: Jonsson and Nade earn Hearts an important win

Published Date: 28 November 2009
By BARRY ANDERSON
AT RUGBY PARK
EGGERT JONSSON and Christian Nade helped Hearts to a priceless victory in Ayrshire to ease their troubles in the lower half of the SPL table. Despite the threat of going bottom of the league at kick-off, the visitors delivered a display that was as gutsy and spirited as any this season to secure all three points.

After a fairly balanced first half, Jonsson dispatched the opening goal beyond Mark Brown with his weaker left foot before Nade's header from Craig Thomson's corner ricocheted off Kilmarnock's Kevin Kyle and into the net. To compound Kyle's misery, he missed a late penalty after Dawid Kucharski was deemed to have fouled substitute Conor Sammon in the penalty area.

Craig Bryson managed a late consolation for the hosts but the style of the victory epitomised the kind of resilience demanded by Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo. Although neither side played especially attractive football, the visitors' desire was sufficient to see them through.

One major concern remains the form of goalkeeper Janos Balogh. The Hungarian endured an uneasy afternoon throughout and fumbled several straightforward catches in the air. He was not helped by the occasionally errratic Kucharski in central defence, although the Pole could at least mount a defence of ring-rustiness having not started a match since August. Balogh saved Kyle's penalty convincingly but this did not mask the wayward goalkeeping that had gone beforehand.

After an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of the late Kilmarnock legend Frank Beattie, the match began at a frantic pace with notable tenacity shown by both sides. From a Hearts perspective this was most welcome and referee Steven Nicholls had several difficult calls to make during the opening exchanges. Kucharski, deputising for the suspended Jose Goncalves, looked uneasy dealing with loping through balls and this subsequently had an unsettling effect on Balogh. As the first half progressed, Kilmarnock sought to capitalise on the uncertainty through forwards Kyle and David Fernandez.

At the opposite end Larry Kingston looked more industrious than he has done for some time playing in the hole behind Christian Nade. With Craig Thomson on the right and Ruben Palazuelos on the left of midfield, there was a coherent balance about Hearts as Michael Stewart and Jonsson prowled around in the middle.

Kilmarnock found the net on 33 minutes when Jamie Hamill connected exquisitely with Steven Old's downward header, however the midfielder was marginally offside. There was little doubt any aerial bombardment was troubling Hearts and on 38 minutes Fernandex struck Mehdi Taouil's left-sided cross first time, only for the ball to bounce narrowly wide. Balogh comfortably held Kyle's header from Fernandez's corner before referee Nicholls dismissed loud appeals for hand ball against Nade, an incident which was more ball to hand than anything else.

Lee Wallace did not reappear for the second half, possibly the result of an injury sustained in a challenge near the corner during the first period. Ian Black took his place with Palazuelos retreating from midfield to left-back.

Hearts full-back Jason Thomson found himself inside the penalty area five minutes after the restart for a left-foot shot which appeared to be touched over the crossbar by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Brown. Nonetheless, the award of a goal kick was not contested by the visitors. Another penalty claim, this time by the travelling support, was waved away after Ryan O'Leary appeared to hitch a ride on Nade's back during an aerial challenge.

Frazer Wright passed up the clearest chance to date on 63 minutes and was made to rue his profligacy. A bouncing ball inside the Hearts penalty box was glanced on by Old and the centre-back, unmarked six yards out, shot tamely into the arms of a relieved Balogh. Moments later Hamill fastened on to a diagonal through pass only for the advancing Balogh to divert his attempt wide of goal. At that stage Jim Jefferies' side appeared destined to break the deadlock. But they hadn't accounted for Hearts' resolve.

On 66 minutes, Craig Thomson's free-kick was only partially cleared and Jonsson spun to arc the ball away from Brown with a well-controlled left-footed finish. The celebrations in front of the delirious visiting support went some way towards conveying the frustration harboured by all at Tynecastle in recent weeks. Ten minutes later the joy was doubled, Nade's header from Craig Thomson's corner careering off Kyle and into the net for a slice of good furtune that has often eluded the Edinburgh club this season.

Balogh was down sprightly to his right to hold Kyle's penalty before Bryson finished calmly to the Hungarian's right for what was nothing more than a consolation goal for Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock (4-4-2): Brown; Old, O'Leary, Wright, Hay; Hamill, Bryson, Fowler, Taouil; Kyle, Fernandez. Subs: Bell, Pascali, Owens, Sammon 74 (for Old), Flannigan, Kelly, Burchill 64 (for Fernandez).

Hearts (4-4-1-1): Balogh; J Thomson, Bouzid, Kucharski, Wallace; C Thomson, Stewart, Jonsson, Palazuelos; Kingston; Nade. Subs: Kello, Black 46 (for Wallace), Obua, Novikovas, Elliot 72 (for Kingston), Glen, Mulrooney 90 (for Nade).

Referee: Steven Nicholls.

Attendance: 4707

Taken from the Scotsman