Heart of Midlothian 2-0 Aberdeen

Hearts responded from their William Hill Scottish Cup exit at arch-rivals Hibernian with a deserved victory over Aberdeen at Tynecastle.

Hearts relinquished their hold on the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle last Sunday, but took a half-time lead on their return to Clydesdale Bank Premier League action courtesy of Ryan Stevenson's 31st-minute penalty, his first goal since his August return.

Callum Paterson, an interval replacement for head-knock victim Stevenson, doubled the lead after 54 minutes and Aberdeen were frustrated by Jamie MacDonald, who made a number of sharp saves.

The Dons, it seems, cannot score against Hearts. Their wait to find the net against the men in maroon was extended to eight matches, the last strike coming in January 2010.

Aberdeen on Tuesday have the chance to put the loss behind them in the Scottish Cup replay at Motherwell, while seventh-placed Hearts are out of the competition they won so convincingly against Hibs in May, but they now trail their capital rivals by six points in a congested SPL table.

The end of a three-match winless run eases on-field concerns for Hearts, who next meet St Johnstone.

A banner unfurled at the away end read 'Paying tax since 1903', referring to Hearts' myriad of financial issues, which this week saw a winding-up order averted and a separate agreement made to pay £1.5million over the next three years.

Stevenson left last January over financial frustrations, but returned from Ipswich in August with his eyes open, he said this week.

Manager John McGlynn has repeatedly bemoaned his side's lack of cutting edge up front, comments which have baffled some given his reluctance to utilise John Sutton, who started as one of three changes following a five-game absence from the first XI.

Sutton scored 17 goals at Motherwell before moving to Edinburgh, spent the second half of last season on loan at Central Coast Mariners in Australia's A-League after falling out of favour under Paulo Sergio and he has remained a peripheral figure this term.

Hearts were on the defensive as the Dons, rejuvenated in almost exactly two years since losing Craig Brown's first match in charge at Tynecastle 5-0, began on top.

Jonny Hayes and Sutton exchanged early shots before Hearts, with Gordon Smith included up front alongside Sutton, found their feet.

Full-back Ryan McGowan's cross narrowly evaded his team-mates, Jamie Langfield blocked as Sutton attempted to turn in a crowded area and McGowan headed wide from a corner.

The Dons had chances too. Andy Webster made a block with Niall McGinn lurking and a Hayes cross went through to Jamie MacDonald, who then saved well as the winger cut inside to shoot with his favoured left foot.

Hearts were awarded a penalty when Andrew Driver's corner was directed towards McGowan, who, with referee Euan Norris in close attendance, was hauled down by Josh Magennis. Stevenson converted right-footed into the top left corner.

Stevenson required treatment before half-time as a result of a clash of heads and Paterson took his place on the right, but offered more width.

Paterson blasted wildly over from McGowan's knock down, but the 18-year-old found the net shortly afterwards.

Hearts burst down the right, Smith stumbled, but quickly regained his feet, to beat Joe Shaughnessy and cut the ball back for Paterson to drill the ball into the opposite corner. It was his fourth of the season.

Aberdeen pressed forward and MacDonald saved from Scott Vernon.

Jamie Masson shot over and his fellow substitute Declan McManus straight at MacDonald as Hearts absorbed the pressure once more, with Sutton a useful outlet.

Denis Prychynenko and Marius Zaliukas had long-range shots saved by Langfield and McManus failed to cleanly connect as Magennis' long throw dropped for him at the other end.

It summed up the Dons' fortunes, but Hearts were worthy of all three points.

Hearts
Starting Formation: 4-4-2cross
1
4 6 26 29
10 5 7 11
9 12

1. Jamie MacDonald
4. Ryan McGowan
6. Andy Webster
26. Marius Zaliukas
29. Kevin McHattie
10. Mehdi Taouil 78'
5. Darren Barr
7. Ryan Stevenson 46'
11. Andrew Driver
9. John Sutton
12. Gordon Smith 68'

Subs

21. Peter Enckelman
14. Jamie Walker
16. Denis Prychynenko 78'
32. Billy King
33. Callum Paterson 46'
37. Dale Carrick 68'
40. Adam King

Aberdeen
Starting Formation: 4-5-1cross
1
21 4 22 6
11 38 5 23 10
9

1. Jamie Langfield
21. Josh Magennis
4. Russell Anderson 61'
22. Mark Reynolds
6. Andrew Considine
11. Jonny Hayes
38. Cammy Smith 61'
5. Gavin Rae
23. Joe Shaughnessy
10. Niall McGinn
9. Scott Vernon 78'

Subs

32. Jason Brown
14. Rory Fallon 61'
19. Mitchel Megginson
24. Jordon Brown
25. Jamie Masson 61'
34. Declan McManus 78'
35. Craig Murray

The match has reached full-time.

Josh Magennis delivers the ball, clearance by Andy Webster.
92

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rory Fallon by Marius Zaliukas. Johnny Hayes crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, save by Jamie MacDonald.
89

The ball is delivered by Andrew Driver.
89

Corner taken by Andrew Driver.
88

The official flags Dale Carrick offside. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.
87

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver, Declan McManus makes a clearance.
86

Shot from 6 yards from Declan McManus. Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
86

Denis Prychynenko delivers the ball, clearance by Josh Magennis. Marius Zaliukas takes a shot. Jamie Langfield makes a save.
85

Unfair challenge on John Sutton by Mark Reynolds results in a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Andrew Driver from the free kick, Jamie Langfield makes a save.
84

Kevin McHattie concedes a free kick for a foul on Josh Magennis. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.
83

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rory Fallon by Andy Webster. Mark Reynolds takes the direct free kick.
82

The offside flag is raised against Rory Fallon. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
82

A cross is delivered by Andrew Driver, clearance made by Andrew Considine.
81

The ball is delivered by Declan McManus, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance. Declan McManus takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
81

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes, Declan McManus has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.
79

Scott Vernon goes off and Declan McManus comes on.
77

Denis Prychynenko is brought on as a substitute for Mehdi Taouil.
77

Mark Reynolds has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
75

Corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes, Darren Barr manages to make a clearance.
74

Johnny Hayes takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance. Corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes.
73

Scott Vernon challenges Kevin McHattie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick.
70

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
69

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Niall McGinn, Scott Vernon takes a shot. Jamie MacDonald makes a save. Headed effort from inside the area by Andrew Considine misses to the left of the goal.
68

Dale Carrick on for Gordon Smith.
67

Corner from the right by-line taken by Andrew Driver, save made by Jamie Langfield.
66

Corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver.
65

John Sutton takes a shot from close range clearing the crossbar.
63

Unfair challenge on Joe Shaughnessy by John Sutton results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.
63

Jamie Masson on for Russell Anderson. Rory Fallon is brought on as a substitute for Cameron Smith.
60

Scott Vernon takes a shot. Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
62

Kevin McHattie delivers the ball, save made by Jamie Langfield.
61

Josh Magennis gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil. Kevin McHattie restarts play with the free kick.
61

Russell Anderson goes off and Jamie Masson comes on. (Aberdeen) makes a substitution, with Rory Fallon coming on for Cameron Smith.
60

Joe Shaughnessy produces a cross, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance.
57

The ball is sent over by Josh Magennis, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
57

Unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Cameron Smith results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mehdi Taouil.
55

Niall McGinn has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
55

Callum Paterson fires in a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Hearts 2-0 Aberdeen.Gordon Smith provided the assist for the goal.
53

The ball is sent over by Johnny Hayes, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance.
51

The ball is sent over by Kevin McHattie, Callum Paterson produces a right-footed shot from close in that goes over the bar.
50

Unfair challenge on Gordon Smith by Mark Reynolds results in a free kick. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
49

Marius Zaliukas takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Russell Anderson.
48

Outswinging corner taken by Andrew Driver from the left by-line, Andrew Considine manages to make a clearance.
47

Shot by Joe Shaughnessy from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.
46

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver from the right by-line, clearance made by Russell Anderson.
45

The game restarts for the second half.

(Hearts) makes a substitution, with Callum Paterson coming on for Ryan Stevenson.
45

The half-time whistle blows.

Johnny Hayes is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
47

Mehdi Taouil fouled by Andrew Considine, the ref awards a free kick. Andrew Considine goes into the referee's book. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
46

Josh Magennis is caught offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
44

Johnny Hayes produces a cross, clearance made by Andrew Driver. Outswinging corner taken by Cameron Smith, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.
38

The ball is crossed by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Andrew Driver. Corner taken by Niall McGinn from the right by-line, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.
38

Joe Shaughnessy fouled by Gordon Smith, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Reynolds takes the direct free kick.
36

Foul by Joe Shaughnessy on Ryan McGowan, free kick awarded. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
35

Shot from just outside the area by Ryan Stevenson goes over the bar.
33

Corner taken by Niall McGinn from the left by-line, clearance by Andy Webster.
32

Russell Anderson concedes a free kick for a foul on Gordon Smith. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Ryan Stevenson. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver from the right by-line, Josh Magennis challenges Ryan McGowan unfairly and gives away a Penalty. Josh Magennis is given a yellow card. Power penalty scored by Ryan Stevenson. Hearts 1-0 Aberdeen.
28

Darren Barr fouled by Gavin Rae, the ref awards a free kick. Marius Zaliukas takes the direct free kick.
27

Ryan Stevenson takes a shot. Mark Reynolds gets a block in.
26

Corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes from the left by-line, Johnny Hayes takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald. Clearance made by Ryan Stevenson.
25

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver from the left by-line, Headed effort from inside the area by Ryan McGowan misses to the left of the target.
24

The official flags Scott Vernon offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mark Reynolds by John Sutton. Mark Reynolds takes the free kick.
23

The ball is swung over by Johnny Hayes, save by Jamie MacDonald.
23

Scott Vernon produces a cross, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
21

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
21

Andrew Driver takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Russell Anderson.
18

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Darren Barr by Andrew Considine. Andy Webster takes the direct free kick.
17

The ball is delivered by Mehdi Taouil.
14

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mehdi Taouil on Johnny Hayes. Jamie Langfield takes the direct free kick.
11

Free kick awarded for a foul by Josh Magennis on Mehdi Taouil. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
9

Kevin McHattie delivers the ball, save by Jamie Langfield.
8

Foul by Josh Magennis on Andrew Driver, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Andrew Driver.
8

John Sutton takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Langfield.
5

Effort on goal by Johnny Hayes from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar.
4

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Johnny Hayes.
2

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
2

John Sutton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Considine. Free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.

The game kicks-off.

Live Stats

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51
8
4
8
1
9
0
0

Possession % 49
Shots on target 4
Shots off target 7
Fouls conceded 13
Offside 5
Corners won 11
Red Cards 0
Yellow Cards 2

Taken from sportinglife.com