Elton Kabangu and Jorge Grant scored either side of the break as Hearts beat Ross County to climb back into the William Hill Premiership top six.
Kabangu poked home the first in the 26th minute before substitute Grant converted at the near post in the dying stages.
It ended up being a straight forward victory for the hosts but County were still right in the game up until Grant doubled Hearts’ lead.
The Gorgie side moved to sixth in the table with only three pre-split games to go, while County are four points worse off.
Fresh from earning his first Scotland call-up, Hearts striker James Wilson was restored to the line-up.
But it was a quiet start to the game for both Wilson and Hearts as they struggled to find any rhythm in the early stages against a County team who looked comfortable.
It took until 21 minutes for Hearts to register their first meaningful attempt at goal when Blair Spittal fired over from 20 yards.
Hearts were enjoying the greater share of possession and they made it count in the 26th minute when Kabangu gave the home team the lead.
Beni Baningime showed great skill to make space before slipping in the on loan Union Saint-Gilloise forward.
And Kabangu poked the ball the legs of goalkeeper Jordan Amissah from close range
Hearts had a spring in their step and had a chance to double their lead in the 32nd minute when Lawrence Shankland slipped in Wilson but the teenager – running away from goal – could only hit a tame shot at Amissah.
The second period was similar to the first, with Hearts continuing to dominate possession of the ball without doing too much with it in the final third.
County had a chance to test Craig Gordon in the Hearts goal in the 55th minute when Kieran Phillips got a break of the ball on the edge of the box, but his right-footed curling effort sailed past the post.
Kabangu then volleyed over moments later from 12 yards after connecting with Shankland’s cross before substitute Musa Drammeh failed to get his head on the ball from a good cross.
County keeper Amissah kept his team in it in the 88th minute with a stunning save to keep out Drammeh’s first-time shot from Alan Forrest’s cut back.
But Drammeh then turned provider in the 89th minute when his low cross was slammed in by Grant at the near post.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL 1st big match 2025/26Man Utd VS Arsenal Gyokeres now It's like he never left LOL Juventus in Group G of Club World Cup I can't believe Lamine Yamal is actually dating her Eric Ten Hag with hair. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, originaltrollfootball)...
1After a mostly dismal campaign, the Tottenham captain, 32, could bid farewell to the club after 10 years, with only one year left on his contract, though Spurs will not be letting him go cheaply.According to Turkish reporter Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, he could be set to reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho.A face-to-face meeting between player and manager to discuss a potential move is said to have tak...
Liverpool is closing in on a deal to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez after securing deals for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.Kerkez has been earmarked as the ideal long-term successor to Andy Robertson, who could leave the club this summer amid interest from Diego Simeone's Atletic Madrid.Bournemouth is preparing for life after Kerkez, and on Monday the South Coast club announced the s...
Marcus Rashford is looking for his next move after a loan spell at Aston VillaNewcastle United could give Marcus Rashford a route back into the Champions League. The Manchester United forward's time at Old Trafford looks to be up, but his options are limited.Barcelona had been thought to be Rashfird's preference, but the Catalan club have been eyeing other targets. Nico Williams and Luis Diaz are ...
Wirtz decided on Liverpool move 'months' agoGerman sensation Florian Wirtz made it clear "months" ago that he wanted to leave Bayer Leverkusen for Liverpool, according to Germany chief Rudi Voller.Speaking on Toni Kroos' podcast 'Einfach Mal Luppen', Voller said: "A few months ago, he hinted to me, as did his father, that he was inclined to go to Liverpool."Sesko's agent sends Arsenal 'blackmail' ...
New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank kicks off his tenure at the club at home to newly promoted Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season, before a trip Manchester City the following week.Spurs' first London derby comes against Chelsea (home) on Nov. 1. which is followed by Manchester United (home) on Nov. 8. and the first North London derby of the season against Arsenal at the Emirate...
Arsenal will need to navigate a tricky opening run to the 2025-26 Premier League season, beginning the season with a clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.They then face away games against Liverpool and Newcastle United before a home clash with Manchester City.- Full Premier League fixture listMikel Arteta has been among a host of Premier League managers who have been outspoken the usual...
Manchester City will begin their bid to regain the Premier League title next season with an opening clash away to Wolves, the fixture list revealed on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola failed to lift any trophies last season for the first time since 2017. To right that ship next season he will have to nagivate an opening run that then sees City face Tottenham Hotspur (away) and Brighton (home) before clashe...
Man United have been handed a brutal schedule to open the 2025-26 Premier League season that will begin with an opening-day clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford, the league's fixture list revealed on Wednesday.Ruben Amorim is hoping to see United rebound from their worst-ever Premier League season but will face an uphill battle early on as they face Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in their open...
Liverpool face a difficult run of games to begin their Premier League title defence next season, opening with a home clash against Bournemouth before facing Newcastle United (away) and Arsenal (home).The Premier League released its fixture list for next season on Wednesday, with the the first Merseyside derby will coming after just four games on Sept. 20. Other major early clashes come against Che...
- 1 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 2 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 3 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 4 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 7 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 10 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body