Calem Nieuwenhof marked his first start in almost a year by scoring a stunning goal as Hearts came from behind to defeat St Mirren 3-1 at Tynecastle and climb into the top six of the William Hill Premiership for the first time this season.
The Australian midfielder scored a crucial equaliser against the same opponents in the Jambos’ Scottish Cup win in Paisley just over a fortnight ago when he came off the bench for his first appearance since March 2 last year.
And Nieuwenhof was once again the scourge of the Saints as he curled home a lovely finish from 20 yards out in the 63rd minute to edge his side in front after teenage team-mate James Wilson had cancelled out Mikael Mandron’s first-half opener for the visitors.
Substitute Kenneth Vargas’ added-time goal capped a hard-fought victory that took the in-form Jambos – who were bottom as recently as December 22 – above the Buddies and within five points of third-placed Aberdeen.
Hearts boss Neil Critchley made three changes from the side that started Sunday’s 2-1 win at St Johnstone as Sander Kartum was given his first start since joining in January and Gerald Taylor and Nieuwenhof both came in for their first starts following lengthy injury lay-offs.
St Mirren were unchanged from the side that started the 2-0 win away to Rangers on Saturday.
The Buddies started aggressively and generally prevented their hosts generating any rhythm in the early stages. When Hearts did eventually get into a threatening position in the 28th minute after a brilliant pass from Lawrence Shankland to release Wilson, Saints defender Richard Taylor got back to make a brilliant saving tackle in the box.
The visitors went ahead in the 38th minute when Mandron pounced to lash home the loose ball from six yards out after Declan John’s volley from a Ryan Alebiosu cross was blocked by Hearts defender Michael Steinwender.
Saints threatened again in first-half stoppage time when Mandron headed Killian Phillips’ long throw towards goal but it was held by Craig Gordon.
The Buddies were well worth their interval lead and perhaps surprisingly it was they – and not Hearts – who made two changes for the start of the second half as Elvis Bwomono and Toyosi Olusanya replaced Alebiosu and Jonah Ayunga.
The Paisley men had further chances to extend their lead after the restart, with Taylor heading just wide from John’s corner before Olusanya was denied by Gordon.
Hearts, having offered little, got themselves level in the 56th minute when James Penrice’s delivery from the left was not dealt with by Taylor, who sliced his clearance up in the air, and it dropped for Wilson, who controlled it on his thigh before slotting past Zach Hemming from six yards out.
Nieuwenhof then turned the game in his side’s favour with a sublime finish. Saints midfielder Phillips was shown a red card for a robust aerial challenge on Jamie McCart in the 70th minute, although it was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR check. Vargas sealed the win with a tap-in deep into added time.
[(Gangwon FC) Strength]: 1. Last season in the Korean FA Cup, Gangwon FC were eliminated in the Round of 16. This season, the team have made a breakthrough so far and have advanced to the semi-finals. In this second leg, they will play at home and have a strong desire to win.2. Lee Ji Ho, a forward of Gangwon FC, has had limited playing time this season. However, he has maintained high offensive e...
[(Everton F.C.) Strength]: 1. On August 24th, in the 2nd round of the Premier League, Everton F.C. secured a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., with Jack Grealish providing two assists and putting in an impressive performance.2. Everton F.C. kept unbeaten in the last 3 Premier League home games with 2 wins and 1 draw, showing excellent performances.3. Everton F.C. h...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus are on a 2-game losing streak. They are motivated to win this home game to boost their morale.2. Soichiro Mori scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, showing outstanding form.3. Nagoya Grampus secured a 3-game winning streak in their last 3 encounters between both sides, giving them a better mentality.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya ...
[(Grimsby Town F.C.) Strength]: 1. Grimsby Town F.C. player Jaze Kabia scored in the last game, with reliable form.2. Grimsby Town F.C. drew 1-1 against Accrington Stanley in the last game, but they still kept unbeaten among all events in the new season, being in stable form.3. Grimsby Town F.C.'s home performance was outstanding. They won all the last 3 home games.4. Grimsby Town F.C. have a good...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. FC Machida Zelvia are undoubtedly motivated to win this home game to qualify for the semi-finals.2. Yuki Soma scored 10 goals and made 6 assists across all competitions this season, being important on the team's offense.3. FC Machida Zelvia drew 0-0 with Yokohama F. Marinos in the last game. They were unbeaten with 11 wins and 1 draw in the last 12 games, showing...
[(Reading F.C.) Strength]: 1. Reading F.C. are playing in the EFL League One this season and are on a 3-game winless run lately. They need to return to winning ways, indicating full motivation in this game.2. Lewis Wing scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with Wycombe Wanderers F.C.3. Reading F.C. won the last 2 games in AH, revealing recent performances in line...
[(Sheffield Wed) Strength]: 1. Sheffield Wed have a rather impressive track record in the EFL Cup. In the first round of this season, they defeated Bolton Wanderers F.C., another team from the EFL Championship, and have posted 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 EFL Cup games.2. Sheffield Wed lost only 1 of the last 5 games in AH with stable performances. They ended all the last 4 games with OVER.[...
[(Eintracht Braunschweig) Strength]: 1. As a 2. Bundesliga side, Eintracht Braunschweig have made a solid start to the new season. Having been eliminated in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in each of the past two seasons, the team will undoubtedly be eager to achieve a better performance when they compete in the tournament again this season. Therefore, they will be full of determination when faci...
[(Sturm Graz) Strength]: 1. Sturm Graz suffered a crushing defeat in the first leg on the road. In this home match, they have to go all out to attack, with full motivation to win.2. Sturm Graz midfielder Otar Kiteishvili scored 4 goals in three league games this season, performing excellently in the league. As the starting forward of the team, his performance in this match is worth keeping an eye ...
[(Burnley) Strength]: 1. Burnley's key midfielder Josh Cullen not only opened the scoring for the team in the last game but also provided an assist, emerging as the biggest contributor to the victory with an outstanding individual performance.2. Burnley claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Sunderland in their last game, securing their first victory of the new Premier League season and boosting the t...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC