Hearts regained momentum at Tynecastle with Islam Chesnokov's debut goal in maroon, a result that underlined the side's bounce-back ability and tactical adjustments
Hearts edged Falkirk 1-0 at Tynecastle Park in a tight, tense encounter that hinged on one composed moment of quality. A crowd of 18,820 saw new signing Islam Chesnokov net his first goal in maroon just before half-time, and the home side then dug in to protect the slim advantage.
How the goal came about
A blocked Falkirk corner sparked a quick Hearts transition. Play shifted out wide, Alexandros Kyziridis curled in a measured cross and Chesnokov was perfectly placed inside the six-yard box to redirect the ball low past the goalkeeper.
It was a simple, rehearsed sequence: quick ball circulation, timely movement and a calm finish that made the difference.
Tactical shape and the flow of the game
Derek McInnes’ side set up with clear defensive discipline, using compact blocks and aggressive wing play to create moments of danger while limiting Falkirk’s opportunities.
Falkirk threatened primarily through quick transitions and wide combinations; they forced repeats of concentration from the Hearts back line and tested goalkeeper Alex Schwolow with a handful of close-range attempts. Still, the visitors could not convert their best openings, leaving the contest in doubt until the final whistle.
Standout performers
– Islam Chesnokov: A composed finish and an eye for the right run at the right time — his goal proved decisive. – Alexandros Kyziridis: Supplied creativity from the right, including the cross that led to the goal and a dangerous stoppage-time set-piece. – Alex Schwolow: Calm under pressure, with a few important saves and tidy distribution to help Hearts relieve pressure. – Thomas Magnusson and Michael Steinwender: McInnes’ pre-match tweaks paid off; Magnusson’s link play added forward threat while Steinwender helped shore up the defence.
Falkirk’s threats and missed chances
Falkirk carved out several promising moments. A clever backheel freed Brad Spencer for a long-range attempt, and Leon McCann nearly turned a dangerous cross into an own-goal before Scott Bain reacted in time. Set pieces and late runs repeatedly put Hearts under pressure, but the visitors lacked the final touch to make their pressure count.
Substitutions and late drama
Both managers used changes to tweak momentum. Hearts brought on defensive reinforcements — including Altena and Kabore — to close channels and blunt Falkirk’s counters. The visitors pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Hearts’ concentrated defending and timely clearances kept the score intact. Kyziridis nearly provided a late killer ball, and Braga came close to a second, only to be denied by Bain.
What this means next
The win keeps Hearts competitive in the table and injects a bit of belief after a difficult run. For Falkirk, the puzzle is converting promising spells into goals and tightening up moments of defensive lapse. Practically, both teams will head into the next fixtures focused on recovery, sharper finishing and preserving the tactical shapes that worked (or didn’t) today. Chesnokov’s goal lifted Hearts and, more importantly for McInnes, the squad showed the resilience and organisation to hang on when it mattered.
