Source: PA
Tempers flare in Dons defeat
Kevin Kyle's goal 40 seconds into the second half proved enough to separate the sides as Hearts overcame Aberdeen 1-0 at Pittodrie.
Seven yellow cards were shown by referee Mike Tumilty in a bruising Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter, with Dons assistant manager Scott Leitch sent to the stand late on for venting his frustrations.
Hearts took the lead within moments of the second half starting. Kyle had become a target for the home support following an earlier clash with Zander Diamond, but silenced the crowd as he threw himself full-length to head Calum Elliott's cross beyond Mark Howard.
The goalkeeper had clearly not recovered from a knock he suffered on the stroke of half-time, though, as he was replaced by Jamie Langfield after 54 minutes.
The Dons pushed forward in search of a leveller, but that left them exposed at the back and they had Andrew Considine to thank for keeping them in the game when he blocked Kyle's close-range effort after a Suso Santana cutback.
