Hearts tightened their grip on the Scottish Premiership summit with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Livingston at Tynecastle, a result that could prove pivotal in their title charge. The win, secured by a first-half Craig Halkett header, extends their lead to six points after Rangers' earlier triumph over Celtic.
A Tale of Two Halves at Tynecastle
The opening 45 minutes belonged entirely to the league leaders. Hearts were relentless from the first whistle, creating a flurry of early chances. Alexandros Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland combined well within the first ten minutes, only for Tomas Magnusson to fail to convert from close range. The pressure was incessant, with Livingston forced into desperate, last-ditch defending.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the 18th minute, and from a familiar source. Craig Halkett rose unchallenged to meet a Jordi Altena cross, steering a superb header into the far corner for his sixth goal of the campaign. The assist came from debutant Altena, a recent signing from RKC Waalwijk, who impressed throughout. Hearts could have doubled their lead before the interval, but Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior produced a stunning save to deny Harry Milne's powerful header.
Livingston Fightback Tests Hearts' Resolve
The second half presented a starkly different narrative. Livingston emerged transformed, clearly responding to a half-time lecture from manager David Martindale. They pinned Hearts back and created clear opportunities to level the score. Just five minutes after the restart, Mo Sylla found himself unmarked in the six-yard box but could only head Connor McLennan's cross wide in a glaring miss.
As the half wore on, the visitors continued to probe. Striker Tete Yengi engineered space in the box, only to see his driven shot well saved by Alexander Schwolow. For long periods, Hearts were under severe pressure, relying on their defensive solidity to preserve their slender advantage. The character of Derek McInnes's side was tested to the full, and they demonstrated the grit required of potential champions.
Job Done in the Title Race
Despite the nervy finish, Hearts held firm to secure three crucial points. Manager Derek McInnes acknowledged the mixed performance in his post-match comments. "I think in the cold light of day, three points, three very important points, a clean sheet, I've got to be pleased," he said. "At our best today, we looked like a team who should be at the top of the league... And in our poorer moments, the gap was too big. We need to make sure... we just be a bit more secure with our work."
For Livingston boss David Martindale, there were positives in defeat. "I thought the second half, the players were very good," he stated. "I felt we created enough chances to take something from the game. I'm probably leaving here disappointed with the result, but there are positives within the performance."
The victory represents another significant step for Hearts. Having already recorded statement wins over Celtic, Rangers, and Hibernian this season, this gritty performance against stubborn opposition may be equally important. With a six-point cushion established, their focus now shifts to upcoming fixtures against Dundee and St Mirren, where maximum points will be essential to maintain their advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
