Heart of Midlothian 2-0 Aberdeen

From Hearts Media at Tynecastle.

Hearts returned to winning ways on Saturday as goals from Ryan Stevenson and Callum Paterson helped secure a 2-0 win over Aberdeen at Tynecastle.

The Jambos edged ahead in an even half when Stevenson rifled a penalty into the top left corner, before his half time replacement Paterson converted from close range shortly after the interval.

The gaffer opted to change the shape of his side following the defeat last Sunday, with Gordon Smith and John Sutton paired together in attack. Andy Driver, meanwhile, returned to the left flank as Arvydas Novikovas, Paterson and Jamie Walker dropped out.

The visitors arrived in the capital with a view to leapfrogging Inverness and Hibs into second place, and they certainly looked the livelier side during the opening twenty minutes as they pegged the Jambos back, albeit without carving out any notable opportunities.

The Gorgie side soon edged their way into the tie, however, and could have taken the lead when Ryan McGowan leapt forward to steer a header wide of Jamie Langfield's right post on 24 minutes.

The Aussie then made amends for the miss six minutes later as he was brought down by Josh Magennis on the left side of the box, with referee Euan Norris immediately pointing to the spot.

Stevenson duly grabbed his first goal of the season as he rifled the penalty into the top left corner.

The goalscorer then picked up a head injury towards the end of the half, forcing McGlynn into making a half time change as Paterson was brought on to replace him.

The youngster looked lively from the off and sent a half volley over the bar from close range on 50 minutes, before grabbing his side's second shortly after.

Gordon Smith raced down the right flank and cut inside the full back before teeing up Paterson on ten yards. The striker produced a cool finish into the bottom corner via the left post, much to the delight of the Gorgie faithful.

As expected, the Dons pushed forward with urgency for the remainder of the half and the home side had Jamie Macdonald to thank for keeping them at bay as he produced a fine block to deny Scott Vernon from close range.

Subsitute Declan McManus then squandered a half chance in the dying minutes as he failed to apply the necessary power on a half volley four yards from goal.

The Jam Tarts were excellent at the back throughout, however, and duly held on to seal three much needed points as they head into the busy festive period.

Hearts: Macdonald; R.McGowan, Webster, Zaliukas, McHattie; Stevenson(Paterson 45), Barr, Taouil (Prychynenko 77), Driver; G.Smith (Carrick 67), Sutton. Subs not used: Enckelman, A.King, Walker, B.King.

Aberdeen: Langfield; Anderson, Reynolds, Considine (Masson 61); Shaughnessy, Rae, Smith (Fallon 61), Magennis; McGinn, Vernon (McManus 77), Hayes. Subs not used: Brown, Megginson, Brown, Murray.

Referee: Euan Norris

Top man: Andy Webster

Hearts World