Scottish Premiership
Kilmarnock 0 – 3 Hearts FT
Heart of Midlothian extended their lead over Celtic to five points at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a dominant, three-goal win over Kilmarnock as head coach Derek McInnes made a triumphant return to Rugby Park.
Centre-half Craig Halkett’s third goal in three games gave the Edinburgh side the first-half lead and Claudio Braga added a quickfire double after the break to secure a fifth consecutive victory.
It meant McInnes, who made the switch to Tynecastle this summer, leaves the Ayrshire venue again having extended his unbeaten run there as a visiting manager to 17 games and having cemented themselves as the reigning champions’ main title challengers.
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Yet Kilmarnock, who started the day in third place, had Hearts pinned back in the opening minutes and goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow did well to push an 18-yard David Watson drive wide for a corner.
However, the visitors took the lead with their first real foray into the home penalty box.
A corner conceded, Halkett made room for himself with a little push in the back of marker Robbie Deas and planted a powerful header low past Wales Under-21 goalkeeper Eddie Beach.
Marcus Dackers had a chance to equalise after holding off Halkett inside the penalty box, but the striker’s shot on the turn was scooped just wide of the far post from 12 yards.
Cammy Devlin should have done better than shoot straight at Beach shortly before the break, but Hearts were more clinical in the second 45.
When Beach could only palm clear a shot from Alexandros Kyziridis, Braga showed great composure to fire low into the net.
Kyziridis pounced on another slack piece of Kilmarnock defending to release Braga, who cleverly danced around Beach to fire his eighth goal of the season and Hearts eased to another impressive victory.
Analysis: Hearts make Killie pay to continue challenge
Considering Kilmarnock were seeking a third consecutive win and Hearts eyeing a fifth in succession, it was hardly surprising that both managers stuck with winning line-ups other than the hosts replacing the absent Max Stryjek in goal.
Kilmarnock’s previous two victories were built on clean sheets, but it remains seven years since they last managed three victories in a row without conceding.
For all Hearts are a side who arrived full of confidence and swagger, their hosts’ own deficiencies played their part in all three goals.
Stuart Kettlewell’s side matched the visitors for endeavour and skill in the early stages.
However, poor marking for Halkett’s opener and slack passes that contributed to Braga’s double ensured Kilmarnock fall behind Hibernian, who beat Livingston, and Dundee United, who drew with Rangers, to fifth in the table.
For Hearts, everything is positive. Top of the table, five wins in a row, four in succession without conceding, unbeaten in six, their only defeat in 13 games this season coming on penalties to St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup.
In Halkett, they have a commanding, and now scoring, centre-half at the top of his game now for once seemingly injury free, Devlin in central midfield showing why he has been recalled by Australia and Braga proving one of the best summer buys.
It is a strong spine and, despite Hearts wanting to play down their chances after only eight league games, one that will increase the chatter about a possible title challenge the longer their impressive start continues – especially after they face Celtic next.
What they said
Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell: “I thought we were on the front foot and then we drop a marker and it’s a really good header and I thought Hearts grew into it at that point.
“We got to a point tonight where we were trying to make passes and put pressure on ourselves. Hearts are going to punish you if that’s the case and the frustrating thing is we haven’t seen those individual errors so far this season.”
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: “In the first half, the first 15 minutes or so, Kilmarnock asked questions of us.
“I thought we played our way into the game and the goal came at a good time. I didn’t think there was much in it first half, but when their press came on, we started to engage with our strikers and scored a couple of good goals.
“It looked straightforward in the end, but until the third goal went in, it wasn’t.”
What’s next?
Hearts host Celtic in a top-of-the-table showdown next Sunday (12:00) before Kilmarnock visit the troubled other side of the Old Firm, Rangers (15:00).
