Heart of Midlothian 3-0 Aberdeen

From Hearts Media at Tynecastle.

Hearts secured a top six spot with an impressive 3-0 victory against Aberdeen in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter at Tynecastle.

Ryan McGowan's header put the Gorgie side in front in an evenly contested first half. Rudi Skacel doubled their advantage shortly after the break before grabbing his second with minutes remaining.

Having made several changes to his personnel in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone, Sergio opted to restore some regular faces to the line up ahead of the visit of the Dons.

Jamie Hamill and Ian Black returned to midfield, whilst Rudi Skacel and Craig Beattie formed a strike partnership as the Jambos looked to return to winning ways in their final home game ahead of the league split.

With just a point required to seal a top six spot, Sergio's men were eager to take the game to an Aberdeen side which had gone six games without a league victory.

Both sides took a while to settle during the opening exchanges; a Black shot from the edge of the box the highlight of a tense opening twenty minutes which also saw Darren Mackie flash a header over Jamie MacDonald's crossbar.

Kari Arnason sent a low drive wide of the left post shortly after, but chances were at a premium as neither side seemed able to find their rhythm. Hearts in particular looked sloppy in possession against a well organised Aberdeen side.

It was therefore predictable that the deadlock would be broken through a set piece. Danny Grainger's corner from the right found Ryan McGowan on the back post; the young Aussie leapt to steer a powerful header past a helpless Jason Brown to give the Jambos the lead.

The Dons responded well to the set back as they immediately pushed forward in search of the equaliser. Clear cut chances continued to evade the Reds, however, with a long range Gavin Rae effort and a blocked shot from Andrew Considine the closest they came to a leveller.

Hearts raised their game towards the end of the half as Beattie dragged a shot wide of the left post after some fine build up play from Black and McGowan down the right.

The Dons started the second half brightly as they immediately pegged back the Jambos thanks to a surging run from Vernon. Their pressure failed to materialise, however, and the Jam Tarts soon found themselves two goals to the good.

Rudi Skacel picked up a McGowan pass halfway through the Aberdeen half and carried the ball forward before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards, much to the delight of the Tynecastle faithful. The stunning goal was his 12th of the season and it gifted his side some much needed breathing space after some early Dons pressure.

The strike took the sting out of the visitors as Hearts gradually took control of the tie. Suso Santana replaced Ian Black shortly after the hour mark, the Spaniard receiving a warm welcome following his goal against Hibs during his last Tynecastle outing.

The winger soon got in on the action as a long ball from McGowan released him down the right. He outpaced the full back and cut inside the box; the ball eventually finding Skacel who saw his shot block amidst calls for hand ball from the home support.

With Aberdeen looking short on ideas, the Gorgie side were able to sit back and hit the visitors on the break. Beattie cut inside from the left with ten minutes remaining but his through ball failed to connect with the on-rushing Skacel.

Scott Vernon then blew his side's best chance of the game as a Stephen Hughes free kick found him unmarked on five yards but he scuppered his shot as it looped over the bar.

Hearts then put the tie to game shortly after as Driver raced down the left before laying the ball off to Darren Barr. The ex-Falkirk man found Skacel on ten yards; his first touch enabled him to escape his marker before he calmly rolled the ball into the bottom right corner for his second of the afternoon.

Jamie Hamill then made way for debutant Denis Prychynenko on 89 minutes; the Ukranian youngster the latest academy player to make the step up to the first team.

Referee William Collum wrapped the game up shortly after as Hearts secured their top six spot with one game to spare. The Jambos now face a trip to Dunfermline next week in the final game before the league split.

Hearts: MacDonald; McGowan, Webster, Zaliukas, Grainger; Hamill (Prychynenko 88), Barr, Black (Suso 66), Driver; Skacel, Beattie (Glen 83). Subs not used: Ridgers, Novikovas, Robinson, Holt.

Aberdeen: Brown, McArdle, Reynolds, Considine, Clark, Vernon, Mackie, Arnason (Hughes 79), Robertson (Anderson 75), Pawlett (Megginson 60), Rae. Subs not used: Langfield, Chalali, Magennis, Uchechi.

Referee: William Collum

Top man: Rudi Skacel

Hearts World