Hearts 1-0 Livingston: Jambos Extend Premiership Lead with Narrow Victory

Hearts 1-0 Livingston Halkett (18′) Livingston made the journey to Tynecastle Park today to take on Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership. The last time these two sides met was in September at the Home of the Set Fare Arena where the Jambos won 2-1. Claudio Braga Alexandros Kyziridis with goals for Hearts and Lewis Smith scoring for the Lions. Today’s game sees the Jambos coming in off the back of a Derby day defeat away to Hibernian, and David Martindale’s side lost to Dundee United. The away side had the better start to the game, a shot from Scott Pittman just over the bar within the first 3 minutes. McInnes’ side had their first chance after 10 minutes, Tomas Magnusson with a left-footed shot but rolled wide of the post. Hearts went 1-0 up in 18 minutes, a header from Craig Halkett, crossed in by their newest signing Jordi Altena, who makes his debut. Halkett has now scored 6 goals for the Jam Tarts. A few VAR shouts throughout the game for the home side, 2 of which were for penalties, but were both cleared by the officials. Livingston were pressing to find a goal in the second half, a good chance from Mohammad Sylla, but it was headed right off the post. The game finished 1-0 to Hearts and puts them 6 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with their next game on Sunday against Dundee. Livingston have yet to win a game since August, and they will face Kilmarnock at home on Saturday. Hearts: Schwolow (7), Altena (8), Halkett (8) Findlay (7), Milne (6), Baningime (7), Devlin (8), Magnusson (7), Braga (6), Kyziridis (7), Shankland (7). Substitutions: Steinwender (4), Kerjota (5), Kent (3) Livingston: Prior (5), Montano (5), Kabongolo (6), McGowan (6), Finlayson (6), Susoho (5), Sylla (6), Pittman (5), May (5), Yengi (6), McLennan (5). Substitutions: Lawal (5), Danso (3), Zimmerman (3), Muirhead (3)

Falkirk 1-0 Aberdeen: Dominant Bairns Shoot into Top Six

Falkirk 1-0 Aberdeen Lissah (58′) Filip Lissah’s second-half header secured a deserved home victory for the Bairns against a passive Aberdeen side, who were unable to register a shot on target. The home side dominated large spells of the first half. Liam Henderson pounced on a Jack Milne pass just minutes in, and after feeding Calvin Millar on the left, he headed the resultant cross into Dimitar Mitov’s hands. The move set the tone for a one-sided first half, with Aberdeen looking increasingly fragile at the back. The visitors nearly registered an opening shortly after. Kenan Bilalovic, awarded with his first start, latched onto Jesper Karlsson’s forward pass, but his low delivery evaded Kevin Nisbet in the six-yard box. Henderson won a promising free kick for the Bairns after 9 minutes. Miller stepped up, whipping a dangerous left-footed strike, which looked set to finish in the bottom corner, but Mitov turned behind. Brad Spencer tested Mitov from the edge of the box after 12 minutes, as the home side continued their search for the opener. Falkirk’s dominance was largely down to the midfield pivot of Spencer and Dylan Tait, who had equal space and time to control proceedings from the centre of the park. The visiting support filled out the away section, and the sea of red voiced their disapproval of this passive performance. Spencer pounced on another slack ball from the visitors on the 20-minute mark, but Barney Stewart pushed his curling effort over the bar. Next, it was Miller’s turn to drive at the heart of the Dons’ defence three minutes later. He found Kyrell Wilson on the left edge of the box, who cut inside and struck from the edge of the box. Mitov momentarily tipped the effort into the air, but gathered the ball to keep the score goalless. Falkirk should have been ahead close to halftime. Another dangerous Spencer corner was dropped kindly for Miller in the box. From ten yards, the midfielder could not get his head over the ball as his strike sailed into the stands. The final chance of the half dropped to the visitors, Nisbet’s wayward strike drifted high into the Kevin McAllister Stand after a long Mitov ball. The Dons remained level as John Beaton blew his whistle for halftime, but would need vast improvements if they were to pick up a result. The Bairns finally found the breakthrough on the hour mark. Filip Lissah rose in the six-yard box to head home a left-sided set piece. The goal warranted the hosts’ positive display, delighting their large contingent of supporters. Nisbet nearly connected with Topi Keskinen’s low cross from the right moments later, after sensational skill from substitute Sivert Nilsen. The duo linked again in the 68th minute, with the striker’s header looking destined to nestle inside Scott Bain’s post. Thankfully for the hosts, the effort bounced off the post and trickled wide, maintaining their slender advantage. The hosts wrestled back control of the game and nearly sealed the game with mere minutes to play. Substitute Henry Cartwright drove at the Aberdeen defence, unleashing a low 25-yard strike which cannoned off the post and behind. Victory moves Falkirk into the top six, marking a perfect start to their 2026 campaign. They travel to Paisley to face a struggling St Mirren side next weekend. Jimmy Thelin and his Aberdeen side berated their side’s poor performance at full-time. A quick turnaround sees them travel to Ibrox on Tuesday evening, ahead of a double header with Rangers. Falkirk: Bain 8 Lissah 8 Allan 7 Henderson 9 McCann 8 Tait 8 Spencer 8 Yeats 8 Wilson 7 Miller 8 Stewart 7 Substitutes: Ross 7 Graham 6 Williams 6 Agyeman 6 Cartwright 6 Aberdeen: Mitov 6 Lobban 5 Knoester 6 Milne 6 Shinnie 4 Aouchiche 3 Armstrong 5 Bilalovic 4 Karlsson 5 Keskinen 5 Nisbet 5 Substitutes: Nilson 5 Polvara 5 Devlin 4 Milanovic 4 Lazetic 4

Dundee leave with the bragging rights in a tight victory over Dundee United

Dundee defeat Dundee United through a first half strike by Ashley Hay in the Dundee derby. Dundee United had a great early chance but Max Watters blocking his team-mates strike preventing the hosts firing ahead. Keresztes almost had Dundee United ahead, a header from close range but being tipped over by Jon McCracken in goals. Dundee nearly went ahead, a wonderful free-kick into the box by Dhanda but Koumetio flashed his header just wide of goal to keep the match goalless. A very end-to-end start but neither side able to break the deadlock. Both sides looking really lively in the early stages with challenges flying in. Dundee had a major chance to fire ahead, Graham with a ball into the back post which was met by Koumetio who took an extra touch which rattled the side netting. Moments on, Dundee should’ve scored again as Yogane smashed a ball in but Astley who took the shot fired well over. Dundee were awarded a dangerous free-kick just outside the box after a foul on Yogane, Yan Dhanda took the strike on but smashed into the wall which fell to Congreve who fired into the stands. Camara unleashed a strike from distance following a throw-in but his effort fires too high. Sapsford had a chance after 35 mins, a strike from close range which was spilt by McCracken with Watters racing to the ball but McCracken managing to save himself and collect the ball. Ashley Hay was close for Dundee, a strike from distance which flew high and wide despite Congreve being wide and open on the right-hand side. Dundee went ahead late first half, a darting run by Ashley Hay who found himself through on goal which struck it past Dave Richards to put the visitors in front. Into the second half, the home side started to show signs of a goal as Camara from distance took on a strike which was blocked. After brilliant play, Fatah had a chance from the flank but his effort was too high to cause any issues. Despite Dundee United dominating, Dundee were unlucky not to double the advantage, Jones from the edge of the box well stopped with goal-scorer, Hay striking the follow-up but a good stop by Richards. Camara had a massive chance inside the box with his volley being well blocked which was eventually cleared. Luca Stephenson had a fantastic chance, a tame effort from close range which looked to be set to go in but McCracken was down well to deny the ex-Liverpool man. Sapsford shortly later should’ve had the game level, Fatah with a pass into the striker who didn’t unleash first time making it a simple stop for the Dundee number one. Poor play by both Keresztes and Sibbald allowed young Finlay Robertson in but his effort being stopped by Dave Richards in goal which could’ve easily been the nail in the coffin in this game. Dundee regained the bragging rights with after edging past United with a late first-half strike by Ashley Hay for the visitors. A deserved victory in the derby for Dundee as they pick up a valuable three points on their short travel across the road. Dundee United: Richards (6), Esselink (6), Iovu (6), Camara (7), Sapsford (6), Ferry (6), Sibbald (5), Fatah (7), Stephenson (7), Keresztes (7), Watters (7). Substitutes: Graham (6), Trapanovski (6), Stirton (6), Dolcek (6). Dundee: McCracken (7), Astley (7), Koumetio(7), Wright (7), Hay (9), Yogane (8), Congreve (7), Dhanda (8), Graham (7), Jones (7), Hamilton (7). Substitutes: F. Robertson (7), Samuels (6), Digby (6).