MESSAGE IN OUR BOTTLE
Jam Tarts look tasty as they extend their lead at the top
Arnaud Djoum reckons high-flying Hearts sent out a big message by sinking Aberdeen yesterday.
The midfield ace bagged his first goal in 18 months to put Craig Levein’s troops back on the winning trail and extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to three points.
Djoum’s header and a Steven Naismith penalty in a devastating seven-minute spell before the interval were enough to dump the Dons in a pulsating encounter.
It had everything. There were two more penalties awarded by referee Kevin Clancy, 11 bookings, arguments and incidents including home defender Jimmy Dunne being hit by a TV microphone and a foul count of 45.
It was raw, raucous and engrossing yet through the melee, Hearts deserved to claim victory.
Coming on the back of the loss in their previous game to Rangers, and with a crippling injury list which has claimed some top stars, it was a huge success and Djoum is adamant his side have made a statement.
He said: “It was important to win and make the message clear that we’re still here.
“It can happen that you can lose a game but the response was really good.
“Aberdeen are a very good team and we’re happy with the result.
“Headers aren’t really my speciality but a goal is a goal and I’ll take it.
“The goal was for all the support that I get from the staff and people working at the club. When I had my injury they were close to me and helped to get better. That was for them.”
Hearts were outstanding. In every department they controlled it.
They won the second balls, attacked with pace and kept Aberdeen on a tight leash.
Djoum signalled their intent early when he was just inches from turning home at the far post after Demetri Mitchell had helped an Olly Lee corner into the danger area.
The Tynecastle left-back also rifled a long- range drive just over and Naismith came desperately close to knocking home an Oliver Bozanic cross.
Andrew Considine’s desperate clearance denied the striker again and, despite Derek McInnes altering his system to get his team a foothold, it was the Jambos who continued to carve out the openings.
Hearts always looked like scoring and Djoum headed his opener seven minutes from the break. Bozanic’s quick k free- kick gave youngster Callumn n Morrison time and space to deliver a pinpoint cross which the Cameroon n international glanced precisely into the e bottom corner.
It was two by the interval when the e whistler ruled that Lewis Ferguson had d handled in the box after tumbling to o the deck in a tangle with Naismith.
The attacker picked himself up to o drill the spot-kick down the middle e past keeper Joe Lewis.
At that stage, Hearts looked home e and hosed but the Dons came e steaming back in.
McInnes made changes for the restart t with Scott Wright and Niall McGinn n introduced. Coupled with a more e aggressive approach, it had an effect as s they roared back.
McGinn got wrong side of Marcus Godinho and the right-back hauled him down for the second penalty of the afternoon.
Gary Mackay- Steven was a picture of composure as he sent keeper Zdenek Zlamal the wrong way from 12 yards.
Still the drama wasn’t over. Hearts were Hearts were awarded a second spot-kick when sub Sean Clare was held in the box by Shay Logan but Lewis leapt to his left to beat away the effort
It was far tighter than it looked as though it might be at half-time but it was job done for Hearts as they continue to look down at the rest from the summit.