Aberdeen 0 - 1 Hearts

Hearts 1

Kyle 46

WITH captain Marius Zaliukas restored to the team, Hearts recorded an impressive victory at Pittodrie courtesy of Kevin Kyle's unstoppable header. In the process, they consigned Aberdeen to an abysmal record of just one league point from the last 18 available

Kyle converted Calum Elliot's cross in the 46th minute of a keenly contested encounter, a goal which proved to be the decisive act of the afternoon. The tall striker also saw a late header cleared off the goal line by Ryan Jack, and his physical presence was, in truth, a constant source of anguish for Aberdeen.

That said, Kyle came second for the title of outstanding contributor in this match. That honour went to his Spanish colleague, Suso. With sheer trickery and ball skill, he tormented Andrew Considine and several others in red during arguably his best performance since joining Hearts 16 months ago.

Zaliukas, despite being short of match practice, was also imperious. An agreement between the Lithuanian and the Tynecastle hierarchy over a new contract is believed to be imminent, thus his return to duty was permitted. It was his first outing since Hamilton in August but he repelled everything Aberdeen could throw in his direction.

Hearts threatened first when Calum Elliot controlled Ruben Palazuelos' low cross and powered the ball against goalkeeper Mark Howard's palms. Suso's trickery on the right was causing Aberdeen concern as he scarpered clear of left-back Andrew Considine several times, but perhaps the most interesting issue of the opening stages was the physical battle between Kyle and Zander Diamond.

That set the tone for an affair which simmered close to the boil on more than one occasion. Yellow cards were administered to Hearts' Darren Barr and Rudi Skacel before the half-hour mark but, bizarrely, Rory McArdle's elbow into Suso's jaw during an aerial challenge went unpunished by referee Mike Tumilty.

Aberdeen, like their guests, were also seeking to attack from wide areas. They fired several balls across the front of Marian Kello's goal which only narrowly evaded strikers Andrius Velicka and Scott Vernon. However, most of the first-half probing was conducted by Hearts. A minute from the interval, the visiting support appealed strongly for a penalty when Kyle was floored as McArdle came through from behind to head clear. The striker then injured Howard whilst attacking Adrian Mrowiec's cross as the half-time whistle sounded.

If that moment brought consternation in the home ranks, Kyle responded perfectly in breaking the deadlock in the opening second of the second period. Skacel supplied Calum Elliot with the ball wide on the right before a textbook cross for Kyle's diving header, which rendered Howard helpless as it roared into the rigging.

Howard failed to shake off the injury sustained at the end of the first half and was soon replaced by Jamie Langfield. Having conceded, Aberdeen had to mount an offensive towards the Hearts goal. They encountered a resolute defensive line and also had to contend with attacks at the opposite end. After a dribbling 76th minute run by Suso, Kyle's left-footed conversion was only kept out of goal by the back of the unwitting Considine.

Ryan Jack then cleared Kyle's header off the goal line and Scott Leitch, Aberdeen's assistant manager, was ordered to the stand by Mr Tumilty for some over zealous complaints. He was as frustrated as the home support, but for the visitors this was a most welcome return to winning ways.

Aberdeen (4-4-2): Howard (Langfield 54); Jack, McArdle, Diamond, Considine; Maguire (Fraser 80), Hartley, Folly, Aluko; Velicka (Mackie 57), Vernon. Subs: Young, Ifil, Paton, Magennis.

Hearts (4-4-2): Kello; Barr, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Palazuelos; Suso (S Elliott), Jonsson, Mrowiec, Skacel (Stevenson 90); Kyle, C Elliot. Subs: Balogh, Templeton, R McGowan, J Thomson, Glen.

Referee: Mike Tumilty.

Attendance: 8999.

Taken from the Scotsman