Kyle the hero as Hearts continue away form

Hearts made a return to winning ways in the North East with a comfortable 1-0 win against Aberdeen.

Kevin Kyle's early second half header was enough to give the Jambos their third away win of the season.

Jim Jefferies made two personnel changes from the 2-1 defeat to Rangers, as well as reverting back to a more familiar 4-4-2 formation. Captain Maruis Zaliukas made his first appearance since the away victory at Hamilton, replacing the suspended Craig Thomson, whilst Ruben Palazuelos came in for David Obua.

Mark McGhee pitched two former Hearts stars in to his starting eleven. Paul Hartley returned from injury and Andrius Velicka made his first appearance since signing on loan from Rangers. Sone Aluko and Chris Maguire also returned with Mackie, Young, Ifil and Magennis dropping to the bench.

Hearts had the first effort of the match after 4 minutes. Mrowiec sent a hanging cross in, but Eggert Jonsson could only head high over Howard's cross bar.

Aberdeen threatened just before the ten minute mark. Aluko showed great pace to break from his own half before feeding Maguire. The U21 international's cross was inviting, although Vernon just couldn't connect.

Mark Howard was called in to the first serious action of the afternoon just before the ten minute mark. Palazuelos found Elliot on the edge of the area, and the striker's right foot drive was well saved by the Aberdeen 'keeper low to his right.

Suso managed to get in behind the home defence on 25 minutes. The Spaniard decided to go for goal instead of cutting the ball back to the waiting Elliot, although Howard saved at a narrow angle.

Sone Aluko was causing problems for the Jambos, and his cross from the right was narrowly headed over his own bar by Bouzid after 28 minutes.

Brave goalkeeping was required from Kello after 37 minutes. The Slovakian held Vernon's low cross at Velicka's feet, the on-loan Rangers man waiting to pounce.

Maguire came close to giving his side the lead in first half stoppage time. He collected Hartley's pass on the edge of the area before flashing a left foot shot wide of Kello's left hand post.

Hearts were ahead less than a minute after the restart. Elliott found himself in space on the right and fired in a wicked delivery that Kyle thumped past Howard with a superb diving header, to claim his fifth Hearts goal.

The big No. 9 had another headed opportunity on the hour mark. Skacel's corner was attacked by the Hearts goal-scorer, although he was unable to find the target.

Aberdeen were pressing for an equaliser, although clear cut chances were hard to come by. Maguire's trundling effort on 67 minutes was the most that Kello had to deal with.

Smart play by Suso on 72 minutes allowed Elliot time to cut back from the goal-line. He tried to pick out Kyle's run, although sub 'keeper Langfiled smothered the ball at the striker's feet.

Mesmerising skill from Suso on the left took him deep in to the Aberdeen area on 78 minutes. The Spaniard found Kyle in the centre, and only desperate Dons defending stopped Hearts from doubling their lead.

Kyle was a real threat in the penalty box and only a goal-line clearance from Ryan Jack denied him a second following another Skacel corner.

Hearts looked to be finishing the game strongly, Kyle again getting on the end of a cross in the hosts' box to head wide.

For once there was no nervy finish for Jim Jefferies' men, retaining an element of control to record a welcome Clydesdale Bank Premier League win.

Aberdeen: Howard (Langfiled 55); Jack; Diamond; McArdle; Considine; MaGuire (Fraser 80); Folly; Hartley; Aluko; Velicka (Mackie 60); Vernon. Subs not used: Langfield; Mackie; Young; Ifil; Paton; Magennis; Fraser.

Hearts: Kello; Barr; Bouzid; Zaliukas; Palazuelos; Suso (Elliott 80); Mrowiec; Jonsson; Skacel (Stevenson 90); Elliot; Kyle. Subs not used: Balogh;,Stevenson, Elliott, Glen, J Thomson, R McGowan, Templeton.

Referee: Mike Tummilty

Top man: Kevin Kyle

Hearts World