Hearts maintained their stunning start to the season with a crushing 3-0 win against Falkirk at Tynecastle Park. The victory electrified Hearts’ morale. It moved them two points clear at the top of the Premiership, putting them in great shape as October comes around. Lawrence Shankland made Scottish football history with his 163rd strike in the Scottish Professional Football League, and what a beaut it was. His push was instrumental in winning the day.
In just six league games, Shankland has already scored four goals, putting his striking prowess on full display. He netted his third goal in only two games. This amazing showkeeping underlines just how locked-in he’s been this season, and how important he is to the team. Hearts made the perfect start to the match against Falkirk. Greek midfielder Alexandros Kyziridis made his presence felt early, scoring with a phenomenal shot from 25 yards.
A Stunning Start
Hearts didn’t take long to establish they would be a cut above in their opening-game romp over Falkirk. From the left, Kyziridis picked up the ball. His 20-yard shot curled perfectly over Scott Bain’s head, into the top corner. This early goal seemed to shock Hearts into life, as they looked pretty comfortable contenders for the 90 minutes with the second-half whirlwind performance still to come.
Shankland followed up with an equally strong blow. He intercepted a pass intended for Falkirk defender Henry Cartwright and hammered in an emphatic low finish past the keeper. His scoring ability has made him an important player in Hearts’ recent successes. Consequently, he’s become an instant fan favorite.
“We’re just enjoying the win and hopefully we can keep improving.” – Derek McInnes
With each passing minute of the match, Shankland remained a constant menace to Falkirk’s back line. Performances like his are not only a testament to his immense talent, but an indication of just how vital he is to Hearts’ hopes for a successful season.
A Solid Defense and Teamwork
While Shankland stole the headlines, this was a true team effort that guaranteed Hearts’ comprehensive success. Craig Halkett was into action early in the second half. He emphatically headed the ball home from a corner kick, putting the score out of reach at 3-0. This goal sent Hearts into a commanding position. It allowed them to easily boss the rest of the game, forcing Falkirk into guarding their box and offering few opportunities to counter.
Falkirk had difficulty breaking down Hearts’ resolute backline. They didn’t just miss on one opportunistic chance to put points on the scoreboard. One thunderous attempt by Stuart Findlay was acrobatically tipped round the post by Bain. These issues have seen Falkirk, after this shock loss, languishing in 10th place on the Premiership table, a far cry from the club’s upward trajectory in recent years.
Looking Ahead
Hearts fans jubilantly celebrated their club’s victory. Their fans were singing, ‘bring on the Hibees’ at full time with excitement at the thought of a home Edinburgh derby with Hibernian in the next round. The excitement hasn’t been dampened — far from it, as thousands of supporters count down the days to what promises to be a thrilling clash.
Head coach Derek McInnes said their recent performances were “the most satisfying.” He stressed that there are plenty of areas where progress still falls short.
“Obviously, we’re only six games in and the league’s still in its infancy… We’re a million miles away still from where I want us to be.” – Derek McInnes
Hearts’ win is a notable achievement in their troubled season where they can now enjoy the start of October as league leaders. The team’s frenetic opening pace has set the stage for what they’re aiming to be a winning season.
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