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Hearts end sensational week on high |
Hearts recorded their third win in a week with a 2-0 against St Johnstone in Perth.
A second half Kevin Kyle penalty and Ryan Stevenson's stoppage time strike gave Hearts the three points to lift them to third in the SPL table.
Hearts were unchanged for the third consecutive match, Novikovas replacing Suso on the bench the only alteration from Wednesday's squad.
A less than perfect pitch at McDiarmid Park contributed to a scrappy opening, although Hearts did try and stick to a passing style.
The first attempt on goal of any note came after eight and a half minutes. Ian Black's deep back post cross found Kyle at the back post, although the lack of pace on the delivery made it hard for the big striker to generate any power on the header.
Colin Samuel's snap shot was the first real half-chance for the home side after 15 minutes, although the former Falkirk man fired wildly over.
Rudi Skacel's 20th minute free kick was met firmly by Kyle, although his header was straight at Enckelman.
Stephen Elliott found himself in on goal a minute later after Kyle's chipped pass, although the No. 10 lashed the ball high and wide.
Liam Craig sent in a speculative volley after Kello's clearance, and the midfielder almost caught the Slovakian out of position. The 'keeper's blushes were spared however, as the ball sailed not too far wide if his right-hand post on 27 minutes.
Another solo run by David Templeton took him in to the Saints' area, reminiscent of his goal at Easter Road, although his left foot effort was deflected wide of Peter Enckelman's goal.
Liam Craig had another effort from distance on 37 minutes, although it sailed harmlessly over Marian Kello's cross bar.
A sweeping Hearts move allowed Jonsson to advance up the right before finding Skacel with a deep cross. The Czech met the ball with his head, although Enckelman saved comfortably low to his right.
Peter MacDonald had St. Johnstone's clearest chance a minute after the break. Taylor went past Black on the right before standing the ball up to the back post. The sub arrived at pace although couldn't direct his first touch of the game on target.
Rudi Skacel's wayward left foot shot after 53 minutes represented Hearts' first attacking foray of the second period, on a pitch that was cutting up badly as the game went on.
The Jambos were awarded a spot kick two minutes after the hour. Templeton's free kick was adjudged to have struck Adams' arm by referee Mike Tumilty, despite protests from Derek McInnes' men. Kevin Kyle duly stepped forward to slam the ball home from 12 yards, claiming his 6th goal of the season.
Sam Parkin should have restored parity after 73 minues. MacDonald slipped the ball past Zaliukas to put the big striker through on goal, although Kello somehow managed to get fingertips on the ball to tip it over.
St. Johnstone were desperate to end their losing streak, and put Hearts under pressure during the last 15 minutes or so. Taylor was attempting to get some joy out of Palazuelos, though the makeshift left back dealt with the winger well.
The fourth official signalled four minutes of stoppage time and Stevenson nearly sealed the win, forcing Enckelman into a smart stop after Kyle's knockdown. Ian Black's follow up was then blocked well by Duberry.
As it was, the former St. Johnstone man did make certain of the three points at the death. Calum Elliot broke down the left before cutting inside and picking out Stevenson's run. He kept his composure to slot past Enckelman, in turn claiming his second Hearts goal, and rounding off a perfect week for Jim Jefferies' men.
St Johnstone: Enckelman; Maybury; Grainger; Anderson; Duberry; Morris; Davidson; Adams (May 83); Craig (MacDonald 45); Samuel (Parkin 71); Taylor. Subs not used: Clark; Rutkiewicz; Caddis; McIntosh.
Hearts: Kello; Jonsson; Bouzid; Zaliukas; Palazuelos; Mrowiec; Black; Templeton (C Thomson 89); Skacel (Stevenson 80); Elliott (Elliot 85); Kyle. Subs not used: McDonald; Barr; Novikovas; Glen.
Referee: Mike Tumilty
Top man: David Templeton
