Heart of Midlothian v Aberdeen
From Hearts Media at Tynecastle Stadium

A whirlwind opening from Hearts set them on the way to a five star performance, which resulted in a 5-0 demolition of Aberdeen at Tynecastle this afternoon.

Goals from Templeton, Elliott and Novikovas, along with a Rudi Skacel brace warmed the cockles of the home support on a cold December day.

Hearts stuck with the same squad that was so consistent throughout November before the weather ensured a three week break from action.

It was Aberdeen who were first to threaten; Zander Diamond flashing a header a wide after Paul Hartley's third minute corner. The former Hearts skipper received a warm reception on his return to Tynecastle.

Hearts were ahead just a minute and a half later. Rudi Skacel played a neat one -two with Templeton on the edge of the area to put the winger through. He appeared to be brought down in the act of shooting, although the No. 12 managed to force the ball over the line whilst lying on the ground to claim his sixth of the season.

Hearts found themselves 2-0 up within nine minutes. Zaliukas' weighted pass released Templeton, who in turn squared to Kyle. The big striker was aware enough to dummy the ball for Skacel who was arriving at the back post. The Czech midfielder needed no further invitation to dispatch the ball beyond Langfield to draw level with Temps in the goal-scoring charts.

Templeton very nearly made it game over after a quarter of an hour. He was yet again played in on the left hand-side, although Langfield managed to divert his angled effort just wide of the far post.

The Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month had the goal in his sights again on 25 minutes, although his volley was deflected comfortably wide of Langfield's post.

Marian Kello's first test of the afternoon came in the form of a dipping Chris Maguire drive after 33 minutes, which the in-form 'keeper did well to parry

It was that man Temps again tormenting the Dons down the left in the 37th minute. His cross was well met by Kyle, although the header lacked the required pace to trouble Langfield.

The game was effectively over as a contest five minutes after the restart. Palazuelos and Templeton linked well on the left flank, and the Spaniard's cross meant Stephen Elliott was able to head home with ease to claim his second Hearts goal.

Jim Jefferies' men were in devastating mood, and notched a fourth goal three minutes before the hour. Stephen Elliott drove at the Aberdeen defence before picking out Adrian Mrowiec's run from deep. The Pole's drilled cross was turned back across goal by Templeton at the back post and Skacel was on hand to tap in his second of the afternoon.

Skacel was unfortunate not to claim a second hat-trick of the season on 65 minutes. Palazuelos' angled ball was flicked on to the midfielder's path by Kyle and Langfield had to be off his line quickly to smother his right foot effort.

Sub Arvydas Novikovas produced a moment of brilliance on 77 minutes to extend the lead to five. The young Lithuanian threw Ryan Jack with a step-over or two before curling an exquisite right foot shoot high in to the top corner, leaving Langfield grasping at thin air,

Elliot and Kyle combined to great effect with two minutes to go. The big man read Elliot's step over and returned the ball in to his path, although the striker couldn't get finish right, firing well wide,

That proved to be the last chance of a match where Hearts dominated from beginning to end. The five goal margin certainly didn't flatter the Jambos, who go in to Tuesday's meeting with Motherwell on the back of five straight wins.

earts: Kello; Jonsson; Bouzid; Zaliukas; Palazuelos; Mrowiec; Black (Stevenson 70); Templeton (Novikovas 70); Skacel; Elliott (Elliot 73); Kyle. Subs not used: MacDonald; C Thomson; Barr; Glen; Elliot

Aberdeen: Langfield; Folly (Pawlett 61); Diamond; Considine; Maguire (Velicka 70); Hartley; Vernon; Aluko; Young; Ifil; Robertson. Subs not used: Howard; Paton; Magenis; Vujadinovic; Megginson.

Referee: Mike Tumilty

Hearts World