Hearts 4-2 Falkirk

Andrius Ksanavicius put Hearts ahead against Falkirk

Hearts eased to a convincing victory over Falkirk as they exposed the visitors' defence at Tynecastle.

The home side had already squandered a couple of opportunities by the fourth minute, when Andrius Ksanavicius fired home from a Laryea Kingston cross.

Marius Zaliukas slotted the second from 12 yards and, after the break, Andrius Velicka curled in a third and Christian Nade drilled the fourth.

Graham Barratt and Pedro Moutinho fired two late replies within three minutes.

Interview: Hearts assistant coach Stevie Frail

Interview: Falkirk manager John Hughes

Hearts had made four changes from the side that defeated St Mirren.

Steve Banks, Tomas Kancelskis, Zaliukas and Velicka came in for Nade, Jose Goncalves, Calum Elliot and Anthony Basso.

On-loan Spanish holding midfielder Arnau Riera started for Falkirk in place of striker Carl Finnigan.

It may have been John Hughes' intention to play more defensively, but the Bairns were under pressure as Hearts made a blistering start and could have been two up inside the first three minutes.

Michael Stewart placed a shot over the bar from close range after meeting Andrew Driver's cross.

Ksanavicius failed to make proper contact with a Laryea Kingston cross and goalkeeper Tim Krul easily gathered.

But Ksanavicius found the net a minute later from 10 yards following another Kingston cross across the box.

Marius Zaliukas scored Hearts' second goal

Falkirk hit back and Dean Holden had a fierce shot from the edge of the box palmed over by Banks, then Riera fired an effort over moments later.

Hearts doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when Falkirk failed to clear a Stewart free-kick launched into the box and Zaliukas lashed the ball into the net from 12 yards.

Falkirk still tried to pass their way back into the game, but Moutinho's long-range effort was well held by Banks.

And Hearts should have been three up when Velicka gave Driver a clear run at goal only for the pacy winger to fire his shot off Krul.

Michael Higdon, Scott Arfield and Riera all had efforts on goal as Falkirk attempt to salvage something after the break.

But Hearts ended hopes of a revival after 57 minutes, Velicka breaking clear to score after a through ball from Kancelskis beat the offside trap.

Nade replaced Velicka and made an immediate impression, adding the fourth following a one-two with Kingston.

But Falkirk made the scoreline more respectable when Steven Thomson set up Barrett score from six yards after 86 minutes.

And, three minutes later, Holden's cross was fired home by Moutinho.

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Hearts: Banks, Neilson, Kancelskis, Berra, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Kingston, Stewart (Palazuelos 75), Driver, Ksanavicius (Elliot 60), Velicka (Nade 64).
Subs Not Used: Basso, Tall, Karipidis, Ivaskevicius.

Booked: Nade.

Goals: Ksanavicius 5, Zaliukas 27, Velicka 58, Nade 68.

Falkirk: Krul, Holden, Barr, Milne, Scobbie, Arfield, Cregg, Riera (Barrett 66), Moutinho, Latapy (Thomson 65), Higdon (Finnigan 65).
Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Allison, Wallner, Craig.

Booked: Barr, Moutinho, Riera.

Goals: Barrett 87, Moutinho 89.

Att: 15,800

Ref: S Dougal