Hearts make it five in a row
Hearts collected a fifth straight Ladbrokes Premiership win with a convincing 3-0 victory over Partick Thistle to maintain their flawless start to the season.
Following a slow start from Robbie Neilson's side, the hosts went ahead through Osman Sow in the 29th minute before Sam Nicholson added a second after Juanma Delgado's penalty was saved.
Delgado made up for his miss from 12 yards to put the contest beyond doubt.
The results keeps Hearts two points clear at the top-flight summit.
Partick made a solid start at Tynecastle but Hearts soon got into their stride to create a series of chances.
Nicholson was first to threaten after he did well to create room for a shot in the 12th minute but the winger's rising left-footed drive was tipped over the bar by the outstretched Tomas Cerny.
Callum Paterson then poked a defected effort wide before Igor Rossi was guilty of missing a great chance when he volleyed a Nicholson corner wide from 10 yards.
Sow scored a great solo goal in last week's win over Ross County as he showed his blistering pace on the right wing and the Swede came close to grabbing an identical strike.
Sow raced past Callum Booth and his mazy run took him inside the box but the forward's left-footed shot was blocked.
However, he was not to be denied in the 29th minute as Hearts stormed ahead. Paterson got his head on Nicholson's corner and Sow pounced on the loose ball to find the net.
Hearts were eager to build a two-goal cushion after the restart and Nicholson wasted a great chance to add a second in the 55th minute.
Morgaro Gomis brilliantly picked out the winger with a sliding pass that beat the offside trap but Nicholson pulled a shot wide with only Cerny to beat.
Delgado then turned on a shot inside the area after Nicholson's corner was not cleared but the Spaniard's effort fizzed just over the bar.
Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson was substituted by Jags manager Alan Archibald and the midfielder was given a warm round of applause by the home fans after sticking by the club during the plunge into administration.
The home fans were back on their feet in quick succession as Hearts grabbed two goals within three minutes.
Referee John Beaton awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when Callum Paterson's surging run was halted in the box by Stuart Bannigan.
Delgado's penalty was saved by Cerny, the Czech getting down to his left, but Nicholson pounced on the rebound to find the net.
Delgado then atoned for his penalty miss with a sublime finish. The former Kalloni marksman held off the challenge of Frederic Frans to latch on to a Gomis pass and dink the ball over the diving Cerny from inside the area.
With his side well in command, Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson handed a debut to 16-year-old midfielder Callum Morrison in the closing stages.
Source: PA
