Michael Stewart's decisive penalty gave Hearts a 1-0 win at Falkirk
to propel them into the SPL's top six for the first time this
season.
The midfielder's goal two minutes before the interval - after
Jose Goncalves was fouled in the box - was the difference in a
Boxing Day game bereft of clear-cut chances as Hearts put together
successive victories in the league this term.
After a hard-fought first half, basement side Falkirk upped
the pressure after the break but failed to find a way past a dogged
Hearts rearguard.
Falkirk were first to threaten after three minutes when Vitor
Lima pounced on Stewart's poor clearance and shot from 40 yards
straight into the arms of Marian Kello.
In a tentative opening to the match, the visitors' first
foray into the Bairns' half in the fifth minute ended with Ruben
Palazuelos' cross being deflected wide for a corner.
However, David Templeton's set-piece was easily dealt with.
Hearts defender Marius Zaliukas then breathed a sigh of relief as
Carl Finnigan pounced on his mistake to charge down the left flank
but the striker's teasing low cross was picked up by Kello.
At the opposite end, Templeton's driven cross caused panic in
the Falkirk defence before the danger was eventually cleared.
Hearts began to enjoy territorial advantage but they were
aware of Falkirk on the counter-attack. On a surge up the park in
the 18th minute, Falkirk striker Carl Finnigan brought out a save
from Kello from a tight angle. And minutes later Ryan Flynn broke
from a Templeton corner but his low effort was held by the
goalkeeper.
After soaking up Hearts pressure, Falkirk upped the tempo to
peg the Gorgie outfit back. Firstly, Pedro Moutinho's free-kick
from the edge of the area flew straight into Kello's arms.
From a corner kick, Ryan Flynn then shot wildly over the bar
with Hearts relieved as they repelled another attack.
Hearts were given a great chance to break the deadlock when
Goncalves was brought to the ground by Darren Barr inside the box.
Referee Callum Murray had no hesitation in pointing to the
penalty spot and Stewart successfully converted his second penalty
in a week, finding the corner of the net two minutes before the
interval.
Falkirk were presented with a chance to restore parity just
two minutes after the restart as Hearts striker Jamie Mole was
penalised for hauling down Lima 25 yards from goal. Toufik Zerrara
struck a left-footed shot over the wall but Kello got down well to
his effort.
Zerrara then picked out Finnigan, who had beaten the offside
trap, but the marksman's delivery from the edge of the box was poor
as Hearts mopped up the threat.
Falkirk were the livelier side following half-time as Hearts
struggled to find any cohesion. That did not dissuade manager Eddie
May from making any changes, however, as Lee Bullen replaced Flynn.
Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo opted for an alteration of his
own too, Suso Santana coming on for Templeton. Santana was more
direct than Templeton and his running won a free-kick 25 yards from
goal.
Defender Marius Zaliukas had one thing on his mind as he
approached the ball from a long run-up but his shot was deflected
wide.
Falkirk goalkeeper Robert Olejnik was relieved to see Eggert
Jonsson's header from Santana's corner drift wide as the midfielder
got to the ball first.
Falkirk manager May made a tactical alteration as a result of
Danijel Marceta's introduction as he pushed the towering Bullen
into attack at the expense of Moutinho.
Marceta forced another corner for his side as his low shot
was palmed behind by the outstretched Kello after the winger cut
inside from 18 yards.
Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid should have done better with a
free header from Santana's corner as his effort drifted off the top
of his head and well wide.
The away team registered only their second shot on target in
the dying minutes when Santana toe-poked an effort straight at
Olejnik.
