Calem Nieuwenhof marked his first boot in almost a year rating a stunning goal as hearts came from behind to beat St Mirren 3-1 in Tynecastle and climb to the top six of William Hill Premiership for the first time this season.
The Australian midfielder scored a crucial equalizer against the same opponents of the Jambos Cup victory in Paisley just a year ago, when he got off the bench for his first appearance on March 2 last year.
And Nieuwenhof was again the scourge of the saints, as he popped a wonderful finish from 20 meters out in the 63rd minute until the side of the side in front of the teenage teammate James Wilson had canceled Mikael Mandron’s first half for visitors.
Kenneth Vargas’s deputy target, he added his goal, covered a hard battle that Jambos took in form-which were down just 22 December-above friends and within five points of the third placed Aberdeen.
Hearts leader Neil Critchley made three changes from the side that started Sunday’s 2-1 win in St Johnstone, as Sander Kartum has received his first start since he participated in January and Gerald Taylor and Nieuwenhof and both came for their first start after long-wounding.
St Mirren remains unchanged on the side that started the 2-0 win over Rangers on Saturday.
Friends began aggressively and generally prevented their hosts from creating any rhythm in the early stages. When the hearts eventually came in threatening in the 28th minute after a brilliant pass by Lawrence Shankland to release Wilson, defender Richard Taylor returned to make a brilliant savings in the box.
Hearts’s Kenneth Vargas celebrates with Hearts team during the win against St Mirren
Visitors proceeded in the 38th minute, when Mandron fired a loose ball from six meters after Declan John’s volleyball from a cross Ryan Alebiosu was blocked by defender Hearts Michael Steinwender.
The Saints threatened again at the time of stopping the first half, when Mandron leader Killian Phillips, a long throw towards the target, but was held by Craig Gordon.
Friends deserved their time well and maybe surprisingly they were – and not the hearts – that made two changes to start the second half, as Elvis Bwomono and Toyosi Olusanya replaced Alebiosu and Jonah Ayunga.
Paisley’s men were further likely to extend their lead after the reboot, with Taylor simply heading from John’s corner before Olusanya refused Gordon.
The hearts, after offering a few, took the level in the 56th minute when James Penrice’s tradition from the left was not treated by Taylor, who cut his clearing in the air and fell for Wilson, who checked it in his thigh before Zach Hemming hit six meters out.
Nieuwenhof then turned the game in favor of his side with a beautiful finish. The average Saints Phillips showed a red card for a strong aerial challenge for Jamie McCart in the 70th minute, though it was downgraded yellow after VAR control. Vargas sealed the victory with a faucet deep in an extra time.
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