Hearts 3 – 0 Falkirk
Kyziridis (22′) Shankland (41′) Halkett (47′)
A stunning Alexandros Kyziridis strike sent Hearts on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory at Tynecastle, and to the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
The game started at a frantic pace. Calvin Millar tested Alexander Schwolow with a low strike in the opening minute. The goalkeeper was making his first start at Tynecastle after his summer move from Union Berlin.
Kyziridis was Hearts’ hero against Livingston 3 weeks ago, and was a constant thorn in the Falkirk side. His inventive cross narrowly evaded Craig Halkett as they searched for the opener.
The home side eventually found a rhythm and created several chances in the opening exchanges. Stephen Kingsley stood up a deep cross to the backpost, which Harry Milne headed narrowly wide.
The Jambos broke the deadlock after 23 minutes with a candidate for goal of the season. Kyziridis ventured in off the left, beating several white jerseys, and unleashing an arrowing strike past Bain into the top corner. It was a marvellous strike from the Greek winger, who looks to be brilliant business from the Tynecastle outfit.
Falkirk occasionally showed signs of the football that secured back-to-back league titles under John McGlynn’s guidance. A clever forward pass by Spencer allowed McCann to sweep a low cross into the Hearts box, but Ross MacIver was unable to find the connection.
The lead was doubled after 41 minutes. Lawrence Shankland picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and drilled a low effort under Bain. The captain endured a somewhat difficult 2024 season, but looks back to his best under Derek McInnes with his third goal in two games.
The halftime whistle brought thunderous applause from the home faithful. Hearts were fresh off a first Ibrox victory in 11 years, and were brimming with confidence against the Scottish Championship winners.
The home side raced out of the blocks in the second half and added a third in the 47th minute. Kyziridis turned provider, delivering a dangerous corner kick for Craig Halkett to glance home.
McGlynn’s team had started slowly against Hibernian on Tuesday evening and were being put to the sword against a dominant Hearts. They looked to respond, as Scott Arfield and Calvin Millar flashed shots wide.
Shankland stung Bain’s palms, and Kingsley’s free-kick cannoned off the wall as Hearts searched for a 4th. Braga inspired a Hearts comeback draw against Motherwell last month, and blasted a shot straight at Bain as the game ticked towards the 70-minute mark.
Schwolow was alert to tip Tait’s stinging effort away from goal in the 80th minute as McGlynn’s boys searched for a route back.
Overall, it was a deserved victory for Derek McInnes’ team, who move top of the Scottish Premiership after Celtic’s goalless draw with Hibernian.
Hearts welcome their rivals in the first Edinburgh Derby next Saturday evening. The Bairns return to the Falkirk Stadium a week on Sunday to face Russell Martin’s Rangers.
Hearts: Schwolow 7 Kingsley 8 Halkett 7 Findlay 7 Milne 7 McEntee 7 Baningime 7 Devlin 8 Kyziridis 8 Braga 8 Shankland 7
Substitutes: Steinwender 6 Forrest 6 Magnusson 5 Kerjota 5
Falkirk: Bain 6 Adams 6 Henderson 5 Lissah 5 McCann 6 Spencer 6 Tait 6 Cartwright 6 Williams 6 Miller 6 MacIver 6
Substitutes: Arfield 6 Oliver 6 Hart 5 Ogunsuyi 5
Attendance: 18919
