Frustrating afternoon as Killie dominate
From Hearts Media at Tynecastle Stadium

Hearts crashed to their third home defeat of the season after a 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in the lunch-time kick off at Tynecastle.

A Frazer Wright header right on half-time, along with second half goals from Sammon and Eremenko ensured a convincing victory for the Ayrshire club.

Jim Jefferies named an unchanged side for the third successive match, sticking with the same eleven that secured three points against Aberdeen and St. Mirren.

Hearts were forced to shoot towards the Gorgie end first half, and nearly took the lead in the second minute. Marius Zaliukas' volley hit Calum Elliot and bounced not too far wide of Bell's left hand post.

Liam Kelly was given a clear sight on goal on three minutes. Pascali's scooped pass picked out the midfielder with a scooped ball over the top, although he could only volley wide.

Medhi Taouil was first to work Marian Kello after eight minutes. The Moroccan showed good skill to cut in from the left before shooting, forcing Kello in to a fine stop low to his left.

Hearts upped the tempo after this, and Ruben Palazuelos came mightily close with a left footed drive after being played in by Skacel on the left hand side.

The next opportunity again fell to a defender, Zaliukas' header spinning wide following Skacel's corner.

Chances were at a premium during a tight opening period, with the visitors looking dangerous on the break through Taouil and Eremenko.

The Ayrshire men took the lead in fist half stoppage time. Jamie Hamill's wicked delivery was met forcefully by Frazer Wright, who powered his header beyond the helpless Kello.

Hearts introduced Craig Thomson and Stephen Elliott after the break in an effort to get back in to the tie. It was that Skacel had Hearts on the front foot early on, driving straight at Bell from around 20 yards.

Suso was screaming for a penalty after 48 minutes. The Spaniard's cross appeared to catch a Kilmarnock hand, although Stevie O'Reilly disagreed.

Hearts were enjoying the bulk of possession, although Connor Sammon's curling effort on 55 minutes served as reminder of Killie's threat on the break.

Adrian Mrowiec then tried from distance, and Bell had to be sharp to prevent Stephen Elliot capitalising on the rebound.

Stephen Elliott came close to opening his Hearts account on the hour. The Irishman connected with Skacel's cutback and his left foot snap shot whistled just over. Suso's shot a minute later was on target, although didn't overly trouble Cammy Bell.

David Templeton was introduced to add some creativity. The winger's driven cross picked out Suso, although the No. 7 could only fire well over from close range.

Craig Thomson's delivery from the right was testing the visiting defence, and it nearly paid off after 67 minutes. Kyle won the aerial challenge against Bell, and the bouncing ball was scrambled off the line. Skacel's powerful follow-up was bravely blocked, with Bell lying on the ground.

Templeton began to threaten from the other flank, and his powerful strike on 71 minutes had Bell scrambling across to see it wide.

A rare Killie foray forward produced an Eremenko effort from distance that Kello did well to tip wide. Sissoko then missed his side's clearest chance of the half, heading wide after being allowed a free header from around eight yards.

Frustration looked to be creeping in to the Jambos' play, Rudi Skacel's tame attempt from distance summing up their attacking fortunes.

As it was, Kilmarnock doubled their lead with ten minutes remaining. Bell showed quick thinking to release Hamill, who in turn sent Sammon in behind. The Irishman kept his composure as he bore down on goal to slot past Marian Kello.

Hearts found themselves three down two minutes later. Eremenko found himself in space on the edge of the area, and the Finn sent a fantastic curling effort in to the top corner to seal the points for Mixu Paatelainen's men.

Hearts: Kello; Barr (C Thomson 45), Bouzid, Zaliukas, Palazuelos; Suso, Jonsson, Mrowiec (Templeton 62), Skacel; Elliot (Elliott 45), Kyle. Subs not used: MacDonald, Stevenson, Black, Glen, C Thomson, Elliott, Templeton.

Kilmarnock: Bell; Wright; Sissoko; Bryson; Hamill; Taouil (Hay 57); Gordon; Eremenko; Kelly (Clancy 85); Pascali; Miguel (Sammon 37). Subs not used: Letheren; Clancy; Hay; Invinvile; Silva; Sammon; Forrester.

Referee: Stevie O'Reilly

Top Man: Marius Zaliukas

Hearts World