Glory night for Aberdeen as Hearts humbled

This was as bad night at the office as Csaba Laszlo had endured at Tynecastle as Aberdeen cruised to a deserved victory in Edinburgh.

In doing so they ended Hearts' seven match unbeaten run in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, but that was the least of the men in maroon's worries.

Nothing went well for the home side who chased the game pretty much from start to finish. No lack of endeavour for sure, but Hearts were second best throughout, and goals from Fraser Fyvie, becoming the league's youngest scorer, Darren Mackie, and Derek Young secured three points for the Dons.

Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo made two changes to the team that drew 1-1 at Ibrox. Christian Nade missed out after his red card, to be replaced by Gordon Smith. Ruben Palazuelos came in for Ian Black, who had to be content with a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, the Dons restored Lee Miller to the starting line-up after suspension at the expense of on-loan Manchester City kid Paul Marshall.

The presence of Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan created plenty of pre-match speculation with suggestions the Riverside club were interested in left-back Lee Wallace. Of course this is the January transfer window, so media-wise anything really goes.

Alas if it was Lee that was being watched it was something of a wasted journey, the Scotland star forced from the field with an injury twelve minutes before the interval to be replaced by Ian Black with Palazuelos slotting back into defence.

It would be a half (and game) that the visitors would boss, but Hearts did enjoy the first positive phase of play. Ruben Palazuelos bent in a left foot cross from the right and it was almost perfect as David Obua charged in, only to see Gary McDonald track the run and make a vital headed clearance. The resultant corner from Robinson wasn't the best, but after a loose clearance Zaliukas picked up the ball and bashed a right foot shot narrowly passed the post.

But that was a false dawn as Aberdeen hit the front after just 12 minutes when Darren Mackie played in star teenager Fraser Fyvie who bore down on goal before slotting the ball past Kello.

The Dons might have doubled their advantage after 20 minutes when Derek Young lashed at goal after Aberdeen found space down the left side following a poor Bouzid clearance. Jason Thomson was hand to make a brave block to deny the Dons a likely second.

Not happy were the Hearts supporters by this point, a disjointed performance causing anger. That only served to add further angst to the players on the park with passes going all over the place.

Finally a chance though. With 31 minutes on the clock Jonsson found space down the left and cut back for Ruben Palazuelos. The Spaniard let fly, but his shot fizzed over the bar.

Ricky Foster was first into the book for a cynical challenge on Michael Stewart as he charged in on goal after 29 minutes. The skipper picked himself up to take the free-kick and having crashed his effort off the Aberdeen wall, he appealed with vigour for a spot-kick, claiming a hand ball.

A minute later and Ian Black was next to be enraged. The former Inverness man thought he had been felled in the area, only to see referee Mike Tumilty call the decision in Aberdeen's favour. Tynecastle erupted, not happy with the decision, you might say.

Black did have an opportunity for the equaliser three minutes before half time, with the home side's best effort of the opening period. Jamie Langfield would not have been overly troubled by Ian's half volley from 14 yards, however. It was a chance though, no doubt about that.

Michael Stewart, at the centre of Hearts positive play, came close in first half stoppage time. Playing a clever one-two with Gordon Smith, the skipper wrapped his foot around the ball and fired a shot just wide of the right post.

The second half did not start any better, Marian Kello having to dive to deny Darren Mackie from point-black range. Out early, champing at the bit you hoped. None of it, however.

Aberdeen would not be denied, the second goal coming early giving Mark McGhee's side a real cushion. Mark Kerr was the provider, feeding Darren Mackie who, like Fyvie before him sped down on goal, this time running straight past Kello and drilling into an empty net.

Zaliukas came close to getting Hearts back in the game from close range shortly afterwards, but a bit like the home side's luck the chance was clear. Aberdeen were certainly playing extremely well, but nothing was going the way of Csaba Laszlo's side.

The third goal came 15 minutes from time, Derek Young's 40 yard free-kick evading everyone and lopping straight into the net. The stands emptied. Big time.

Hearts ended the match with only nine men, via injury. Scott Robinson was forced from the field with all substitutes used and then Ian Black left the field in a bad way, requiring oxygen after landing horribly.

Hearts: Kello; J Thomson, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Wallace (Black, 32); Palazuelos (Visconte 60), Stewart, Jonsson, Obua; Robinson, Smith (Witteveen, 55). Subs not used: Balogh, Kucharski, R Wallace, Mulrooney.

Aberdeen: Langfield; Foster, Iffil, Mulgrew (Diamond, 72), Grassi; Young, McDonald, Kerr, Fyvie (Low 85); Mackie (Maguire 78), Miller. Booked: Foster, Yellow. Subs not used: Nelson, Duff, Marshall, Paton.

Referee: Mike Tumilty

Hearts World