Hearts extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a gritty 1-0 victory over bottom club Livingston at Tynecastle, moving six points clear of their closest rivals after a game of contrasting halves.

Following Rangers’ victory over Celtic in the lunchtime kick-off, Derek McInnes’ side had the chance to open daylight between themselves and the Glasgow giants. Hearts took the initiative early, dominating the first half and creating numerous chances against a struggling Livingston team that has now gone 18 league games without a win.

First Half: Hearts in Command

In the opening 45 minutes, Hearts fired 15 shots, keeping Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior busy with impressive saves and forcing defenders into last-ditch blocks. Claudio Braga’s effort struck the post, and Tomas Magnusson squandered a close-range opportunity, highlighting the Gunners’ dominance.

The breakthrough came when debutant Jordi Altena delivered a perfectly curled cross into the box, allowing Craig Halkett to guide a cultured header into the net for his sixth goal of the season. Altena impressed throughout the first half, creating multiple opportunities and looking promising in his debut appearance.

Second Half: Livingston Fight Back

Livingston improved significantly after the break, with Tete Yengi causing problems in the final third and testing Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow with three good efforts. Mohamed Sylla added energy to the visitors’ attack, and for periods, Livingston looked the more dangerous side.

Despite the pressure, Hearts’ defense held firm, and McInnes made tactical substitutions, bringing on additional defenders to see out the vital three points. The win allowed Hearts to bounce back from their recent derby defeat and maintain a comfortable buffer in the title race.

Player Performances

• Jordi Prior (Hearts) – 8.67: The goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep Livingston at bay and deservedly earned Player of the Match.
• Craig Halkett (Hearts) – 8.03: Scored the decisive goal and was a commanding presence at the back.
• Jordi Altena (Hearts) – 8.03: Debutant midfielder delivered key chances, including the assist for Halkett’s goal.
• Lawrence Shankland (Hearts) – 7.39: Created six opportunities, his highest in a league game for over two years.
• Beni Baningime (Hearts) – 7.65: Controlled the midfield in the opening 45 minutes.

For Livingston, standout performers included Cammy Devlin (8.06) and Tete Yengi for their persistence and attacking threat, even though the team was unable to convert opportunities.

Manager Reactions

Derek McInnes (Hearts):
“In the first half we looked like a team that deserved to be top of the league. Our keeper was magnificent because we knew there would be a reaction in the second half. One goal was enough, and it was enough today.”

David Martindale (Livingston):
“We rode our luck in the first 25 minutes, but second half we created good chances and controlled parts of the game. The boys should take self-belief and confidence from that performance.”

What’s Next

Hearts will visit in-form Dundee next Sunday (14:00 GMT) in their next Premiership clash, while Livingston return to action midweek as they host St Mirren on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).