Eliot inspires dominant Jambos

HEARTS executed a rampant victory over Hamilton inspired by Calum Elliot, who was involved in three of his side's four goals. The scoreline in no way flattered Jim Jefferies' side even allowing for the dismissals of Ruben Palazuelos and Martin Canning in the second half. They simply overwhelmed their opponents to inflict a second successive 4-0 defeat upon Billy Reid and his charges.

In truth, the three points were virtually secured inside the opening 25 minutes as Elliot and David Templeton arced two magnificent goals into the Hamilton net from outside the penalty area. Then came Kevin Kyle's first goal for Hearts, a penalty won after Elliot was fouled by Canning. The defender was subsequently red carded and followed Palazuelos down the tunnel after the midfielder incurred two cautions.

Elliot, who failed to score in 13 appearances last season, scored his third in two in successive weeks with nine minutes remaining. He took the ball from Kyle Wilkie and meandered towards goal before stroking his finish into the net.

Despite the two red cards there was little danger of this game descnding into the chaos of last December's meeting between the clubs. Jim Jefferies, though, will be less than pleased with Palazuelos after revealing on Friday that he will not tolerate poor discipline. The Spaniard was unfortunate to be booked for kicking the ball away early in the game and seemed to play the ball when tackling Flavio Paixao in the incident which prompted his second booking. However, leading with his studs up ultimately cost him.

It must be said Hamilton were easy fodder as their defence looked consistently erratic throughout the match. Lone striker Joel Thomas troubled the Hearts back line only occasionally, and the majority of clear chances were created by those from Tynecastle. Reid must now consider that his squad appears some way short of reaching their pre-season target of SPL survival.

The free transfer of Adrian Mrowiec from FBK Kaunas to Hearts was completed in the build-up to this encounter, and the Pole took his place on the visitors' substitutes' bench with Ismael Bouzid reinstated to defence instead of Jason Thomson. Jefferies opted for continuity by retaining ten of his 11 starters from last week's draw with St Johnstone, and it paid dividends within six minutes.

A neat passing interchange outside the Hamilton penalty area ended with Suso sliding a through ball to Elliot. The striker composed himself to angle a quite superb left-footed effort beyond the flailing Tomas Cerny, and ran off celebrating his second goal in two games.

The hosts orchestrated their own downfall on 24 minutes as Templeton doubled Hearts' advantage. Cerny's initial clearance was controlled by Simon Mensing 30 yards from goal before an inexplicable spinning backpass which saw the gaolkeeper attempt a diving header to avert danger inside his own box. He missed and Jack Ross cleared, only for Ruben Palazuelos to pick up the ball. His header found Templeton, the diminutive winger showed remarkable strength in holding off Martin Canning and then dispatched a powerful drive out of Cerny's reach and into the top corner from 22 yards. It was a goal equally as sweet as Elliot's and ensured Hearts a comfortable half-time lead.

Referee Stephen Finnie rejected two penalty claims inside 30 seconds at the beginning of the second period, both involving Lee Wallace. First, Flavio Paixao fell under pressure from the Scotland full-back, who then scampered forward and tumbled in a challenge with the Hamilton substitute James McAlister. The hosts, clearly imbued with greater purpose after the interval, then watched Flavio Paixao's header from Dougie Imrie's cross rebound off the crossbar.

Suso sent an opportunity skywards following a 55th-minute corner but Hamilton proceeded to probe their opponents. They would have been encouraged by Palazuelos' dismissal for a second caution. The Spanaird, booked in the first half for kicking the ball away, entered a challenge with Flavio Paixao with his studs raised and paid the penalty. Hearts then introduced Mrowiec and Kevin Kyle and sacrificed Templeton and Suso in order to solidify the central midfield area.

To the visitors' credit, they refused to fall onto the back foot and secured the three points with Kyle's penalty. The award was earned by the tireless running of Elliot, by now playing left midfield. He charged into space on the flank leaving Martin Canning trailing and was fouled by the defender upon entering the area. Kyle thumped the penalty high in to the roof of the net. Game, set and match.

As if to emphasise Hearts' control, Elliot scored again by dispossessing Kyle Wilkie and trotting through to send a low finish out of Cerny's reach.

Hamilton (3-4-3): Cerny; Canning, McQueen (McDonald 65), Mensing; Ross (McAlister 46), Wilkie, Skelton, Imrie; F Paixao, Thomas, M Paixao. Subs: Murdoch, Graham, Lyle, Kirkpatrick, Routledge.

Hearts (4-4-2): Kello; Barr, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Wallace; C Thomson, Black (McGowan 78), Palazuelos, Templeton (Mrowiec 64); Suso (Kyle 69), C Elliot. Subs: Balogh, McGowan, Novikovas, J Thomson, Robinson.

Referee: Stephen Finnie.

Attendance: 2899.

Taken from the Scotsman