Hearts 0 - 2 Motherwell

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Highlights - Hearts v Motherwell

Motherwell recorded their third successive away win in the Scottish Premier League with victory over Hearts at Tynecastle.

Jamie Murphy struck the post as the visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time.

Chris Humphrey set up Nick Blackman to sweep home in the 58th minute and put Motherwell in front.

And John Sutton doubled the Steelmen's lead at the end of another enterprising Humphrey run 20 minutes from the end.

The result means Motherwell replace Hearts in third place, with the Edinburgh side still looking for their first home win of the season.

Hearts winger Suso had an early run at the Motherwell defence and set up David Templeton for a shot, but the midfielder could not direct his effort on target.

Suso's attempted shot was then almost turned into the net by Calum Elliot.

At the other end, Motherwell striker Nick Blackman brushed off the challenge of Adrian Mrowiec before blasting a shot wide.

The home side were trying to use their wide players to stretch Well and. in one such attack. David Templeton got to the by-line and pulled the ball back for Kevin Kyle to head over.

Motherwell had the first half's best chance in the 35th minute, when Chris Humphrey outpaced Ryan Stevenson and found Blackman.

The striker's pass was flicked on by Keith Lasley to Murphy, who fired against the post.

Motherwell were ending the first period as the stronger side and Murphy saw another attempt tipped out for a corner by Hearts goalkeeper Marian Kello.

Murphy continued to be a thorn in Hearts' side in the opening minutes of the second half and was foiled by another Kello save.
Hearts defender Marius Zaliukas
Defender Marius Zaliukas was again omitted from the Hearts line-up

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies decided to make some changes and withdrew Elliot and Templeton and introduced Stephen Elliott and Rudi Skacel, who made his first appearance since returning to Tynecastle for a second spell.

But, within a minute, it was the visitors who were seizing the initiative.

Humphrey burst down the flank and pulled back for Blackman to turn the ball home despite the presence of Mrowiec.

Hearts tried to respond and Elliott ran on to Kyle's knock-down and tried to round Darren Randolph, but the goalkeeper recovered to make the save.

Motherwell were the more assured in attack and Lasley fired in a shot that was spilled by Kello, but Sutton could not convert the rebound. The referee awarded a goal-kick despite Sutton's claim that the keeper had touched his shot out for a corner.

But Sutton was to enjoy better fortune in the 70th minute as he sealed Motherwell's victory.

Humphrey was again the architect, showing pace and power before picking out Sutton, who beat Kello with a low shot.

Skacel had the chance to mark his second Hearts debut with a goal when the home side were awarded a free-kick, but the midfielder could not direct his effort on target.

And Hearts were not able to force their way back into the match in the closing stages.

Taken from the BBC