Source: Team_Talk
Stewart sends Jambos into top half
The midfielder's goal two minutes before the interval - after Jose Goncalves was fouled in the box - was the difference in a Boxing Day game bereft of clear-cut chances as Hearts put together successive victories in the league this term.[LNB]After a hard-fought first half, basement side Falkirk upped the pressure after the break but failed to find a way past a dogged Hearts rearguard.[LNB]Falkirk were first to threaten after three minutes when Vitor Lima pounced on Stewart's poor clearance and shot from 40 yards straight into the arms of Marian Kello.[LNB]In a tentative opening to the match, the visitors' first foray into the Bairns' half in the fifth minute ended with Ruben Palazuelos' cross being deflected wide for a corner.[LNB]However, David Templeton's set-piece was easily dealt with.[LNB]Hearts defender Marius Zaliukas then breathed a sigh of relief as Carl Finnigan pounced on his mistake to charge down the left flank but the striker's teasing low cross was picked up by Kello.[LNB]At the opposite end, Templeton's driven cross caused panic in the Falkirk defence before the danger was eventually cleared.[LNB]Hearts began to enjoy territorial advantage but they were aware of Falkirk on the counter-attack.[LNB]On a surge up the park in the 18th minute, Falkirk striker Carl Finnigan brought out a save from Kello from a tight angle.[LNB]And minutes later Ryan Flynn broke from a Templeton corner but his low effort was held by the goalkeeper.[LNB]After soaking up Hearts pressure, Falkirk upped the tempo to peg the Gorgie outfit back.[LNB]Firstly, Pedro Moutinho's free-kick from the edge of the area flew straight into Kello's arms.[LNB]From a corner kick, Ryan Flynn then shot wildly over the bar with Hearts relieved as they repelled another attack.[LNB]Hearts were given a great chance to break the deadlock when Goncalves was brought to the ground by Darren Barr inside the box.[LNB]Referee Callum Murray had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot and Stewart successfully converted his second penalty in a week, finding the corner of the net two minutes before the interval.[LNB]Falkirk were presented with a chance to restore parity just two minutes after the restart as Hearts striker Jamie Mole was penalised for hauling down Lima 25 yards from goal.[LNB]Toufik Zerrara struck a left-footed shot over the wall but Kello got down well to his effort.[LNB]Zerrara then picked out Finnigan, who had beaten the offside trap, but the marksman's delivery from the edge of the box was poor as Hearts mopped up the threat.[LNB]Falkirk were the livelier side following half-time as Hearts struggled to find any cohesion.[LNB]That did not dissuade manager Eddie May from making any changes, however, as Lee Bullen replaced Flynn.[LNB]Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo opted for an alteration of his own too, Suso Santana coming on for Templeton.[LNB]Santana was more direct than Templeton and his running won a free-kick 25 yards from goal.[LNB]Defender Marius Zaliukas had one thing on his mind as he approached the ball from a long run-up but his shot was deflected wide.[LNB]Falkirk goalkeeper Robert Olejnik was relieved to see Eggert Jonsson's header from Santana's corner drift wide as the midfielder got to the ball first.[LNB]Falkirk manager May made a tactical alteration as a result of Danijel Marceta's introduction as he pushed the towering Bullen into attack at the expense of Moutinho.[LNB]Marceta forced another corner for his side as his low shot was palmed behind by the outstretched Kello after the winger cut inside from 18 yards.[LNB]Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid should have done better with a free header from Santana's corner as his effort drifted off the top of his head and well wide.[LNB]The away team registered only their second shot on target in the dying minutes when Santana toe-poked an effort straight at Olejnik.[LNB][LNB]
