Hearts clinched a decisive 3-1 victory over St Mirren in an exhilarating Scottish Premiership match at Tynecastle Park. Mikael Mandron initially put St Mirren ahead in the 38th minute, but Hearts rallied with goals from James Wilson, Calem Nieuwenhof, and Kenneth Vargas to secure the win. This triumph propelled Neil Critchley's side into sixth place, just five points shy of third-placed Aberdeen.
In an action-packed first half, St Mirren took the lead when Mandron capitalized in the 38th minute. However, Hearts responded with determination in the second half. James Wilson brought the teams level with a well-taken goal in the 56th minute. Hearts continued their ascendancy as Calem Nieuwenhof produced a stunning strike in the 63rd minute, marking his first goal in almost a year. Nieuwenhof's performance was particularly noteworthy as he was one of three changes made to the Hearts lineup, alongside Sander Kartum and Gerald Taylor.
The match witnessed drama beyond the scoreboard. St Mirren's Phillips received a red card, which was later downgraded to yellow following a VAR review. Despite St Mirren's two halftime substitutions, bringing on Elvis Bwomono and Toyosi Olusanya, they struggled to regain control. Craig Gordon's exceptional goalkeeping for Hearts played a pivotal role, notably denying Olusanya a crucial opportunity.
Kenneth Vargas capped off Hearts' commanding display with a tap-in during added time, cementing their victory. This win marked a significant turnaround for Hearts, who found themselves at the bottom of the league as recently as December 22. The result not only elevated them above St Mirren but also brought them within striking distance of Aberdeen.
Hearts' strategic changes paid off handsomely, with Nieuwenhof's standout performance underscoring the team's depth and adaptability. Critchley's tactical adjustments were evident, highlighting their ambition to climb higher up the league standings.
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