Hearts 2 Falkirk 1: Driver steers Hearts to win

A SIMPLY stunning goal from Andy Driver gave his side the three points at a chilly Tynecastle. It was a goal to warm Hearts, and allowed Csaba Laszlo's men to claim their fourth victory in a row, the first time that has been achieved since George Burley's time in charge.

Hearts now sit third, three points ahead of Dundee United, but 10 behind second-placed Rangers who come to Tynecastle next week. If the Gorgie club is to have any thoughts of fulfilling Vladimir Romanov's ambition to at least split the Old Firm, they must win that match.

The clincher came just before the hour mark of this entertaining encounter. Arnau Riera missed Lee Bullen with his pass and Driver intercepted, dancing a samba by one defender, tangoing round another and then sashaying past goalkeeper Scott Flinders to stroke the ball into an empty net. John Sergeant would surely covet Driver's twinkling, dancing feet.

"A lot of people have said to me that his goal was a bit like Maradona's," said Laszlo, presumably talking of the dribbled one and not the Hand of God. "I didn't think that when he scored but I must be blind." Driver himself found the comparison "embarrassing", but actually, it wasn't far off.

The opening goal by Falkirk had come much against the run of play. Hearts had easily dominated the early exchanges, and Bruno Aguiar's 11th-minute volley from the edge of the Falkirk box, which dipped just over Flinders' bar, promised much from the home side. Instead it was Falkirk who took the lead after 15 minutes.

Michael Higdon struck the proverbial defence-splitter for Steve Lovell to chase clean through to the penalty area. Janos Balogh raced from his goal to narrow the angle, but even as he dived, Lovell toe-poked the ball under him and there was just enough weight in his effort to carry the ball over the line.

Hearts were not behind for long. Within three minutes, Darren Barr felled Christian Nade, and from 25 yards out, Aguiar sent in a curling shot to the postage stamp corner. Flinders flew to his left and got a despairing hand to the ball, but it had plenty enough momentum to bulge the net.

It was good box-to-box stuff from both sides now, but the defences held solid and penetration deep into the danger area was sadly missing, otherwise this might have been a classic. There was nevertheless plenty to entertain the crowd, especially when Aguiar was in possession, while Driver was a continual threat on the left wing.

Chances tended to be of the "half" variety. Higdon's shot from the edge of the area in the 23rd minute soared away, and at the other end, Aguiar did the same with his effort. A header from Zaliukas also went awry, as Hearts had the majority of possession though Falkirk harried them ceaselessly and looked well capable of scoring.

After half-time, it was noticeable how much colder conditions became as the light faded. Within two minutes of the re-start, Lee Bullen's arm was warmed by a rasping cross from Driver. Referee Eddie Smith ruled out a penalty, judging that the ball had hit Bullen accidentally.

Ten minutes into the half, Christos Karipidis looked to have given Hearts the lead when Driver put him through and his low, angled shot from the edge of the box beat the defence and Flinders, only for the ball to go narrowly past.

Driver's goal followed shortly afterwards, and it sparked a sustained run of pressure by a rearranged Hearts, Driver switching to the right wing to accommodate substitute David Obua. Driver received less service there, and Dermot McCaffrey did a better job of marking him. Falkirk manager John Hughes later praised McCaffrey and Chris Mitchell for "taking their chance" in their first match of the season.

Hearts could not convert their possessional advantage into clear chances, and nearly paid the price after 80 minutes, when Mitchell sent in a looping cross-shot from 35 yards out on the wing which Balogh scrambled back to tip over the bar. The resultant corner was headed goalwards by Bullen only for Aguiar to clear off the line. Deep in injury time, Higdon rose above the Hearts defence but his header went narrowly wide. The Tynecastle side survived Falkirk's late rally for a victory which they deserved, not least because of the efforts of Driver and Aguiar.


MAN OF THE MATCH

Bruno Aguiar was in great form for most of the match, but Andy Driver's constant attacking menace and his quite brilliant goal just earn him the nomination.

QUICK FACT

One of Hearts' Lithuanian contingent confessed in the match programme that he was missing a dish from home, namely cepelinai. Apparently this concoction of grated potatoes and ground meat can't be found here. Heard of beef stovies, chaps?

TALKING POINT

Andy Driver fired in a cross which clearly hit Lee Bullen's arm and deflected away from the Hearts strikers who were waiting to pounce. Even if a handball is accidental, why should a team be allowed to benefit?