Hearts’ unbeaten start to 2020 came crashing to an end as a 2-3 loss to Kilmarnock sent them back to the foot of the table. Kilmarnock celebrated a second consecutive win in the league, with their victory last weekend against Ross County ending a nine-match winless run in the league, indicating they may have turned a corner in their form.
The game began at a high tempo, with Hearts starting the better of the two sides. Naismith looked dangerous, dropping into the hole between the opposition midfield and defence. Midfielder Marcel Langer made his debut for the home side as they had the better of the opening exchanges, but failed to create any clear-cut chances. Hearts were then made to pay when Findlay headed Kilmarnock into the lead on 24 minutes. This followed from nice work by Brophy, who drew a save from loanee keeper Pereira. Burke delivered a brilliant in-swinging ball from the resulting corner, and defender Findlay got on the end of a near-post flick-on to power home.
With their side unbeaten in four league games, and the news that the club is to become fan-owned, Hearts fans were in good spirits. However, their frustration was audible after seeing their side concede. Hearts pressed high up the pitch, as has been their style since Daniel Stendel took charge in December, but created painfully little. For Kilmarnock, in-form striker Nicke Kabamba was the focal point in attack and looked dangerous all evening.
Killie’s second goal came after 38 minutes when Burke latched on to a long pass before beautifully lifting the ball over the onrushing Pereira to see it drop into the net. Burke now has three goals against Hearts this season.
In the remainder of the half Clare and the lively Lewis Moore linked well on the right flank for Hearts. Any attempts to forge a chance were shut down, however, largely due to a fine defensive performance by Findlay.
The second half couldn’t have started worse for the Edinburgh side, as Kilmarnock’s top scorer Brophy lashed home a powerful effort from just inside the area. It must be said, though, that the keeper will be disappointed not to have prevented the goal. Three goals up, it seemed the Ayrshire side would be securing their first away league win since their previous visit to Tynecastle in October.
Victory for Killie never looked in danger as Hearts became increasingly frustrated. They found joy down the flanks repeatedly with their fullbacks, but Kilmarnock were resolute whenever the ball went central.
With just over ten minutes remaining, Hearts were given not one but two lifelines as Kilmarnock keeper Branescu brought down substitute Washington inside the area, receiving a booking. Clare slotted the ball into the right corner of the net, high in confidence after his late equaliser against St Johnstone on Saturday. As he attempted to retrieve the ball from the net, Branescu threw it away, a rash decision that earned him a second yellow card and left his team to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Hearts piled men forward, and in the final minute Halkett, now playing as a striker, volleyed in to set up an exciting finale. Naismith dropped into a quarter back role, launching balls forward. Whilst there were one or two tense moments for Kilmarnock, substitute keeper Koprivec had little more than a few routine saves to make as they closed out the match.
After losing his first five league games, Killie manager Alex Dyer can now celebrate back-to-back wins. Speaking about how they prepared for the game, he said “we knew they pressed well up the pitch… and we worked on [our game-plan] the last couple of days”. The confidence they took from their previous win was also a help.
Conversely, Stendel was unhappy with the manner of the defeat, saying “for me it was not how we want to play” and was critical of the lack of cutting edge in the final third and their defensive frailties.
With Hearts returning to the bottom of the table, things don’t get easier for Stendel’s men as they have a trip to Celtic Park in their next league game. For Kilmarnock and Dyer, whilst they won’t be getting carried away with themselves, they will be delighted to have ended their terrible run of form, leaving them one point behind sixth-placed Hibernian before their home game against Rangers.
Pasta Feet 