Mixu's men kil mood at Tynecastle

Eremenko was red carded for lifting his hands to Zaliukas, presumably to free himself from the Lithuanian's grasp, but bizarrely Zaliukas and Templeton received only yellows from referee Steven McLean. The sight of Zaliukas smiling and smoking an imaginary cigar as Eremenko trudged off was distasteful, as was the Russian-born Finn's obscene retort at his opponent.

Ultimately, Eremenko will consider that he had the last laugh having influenced such an impressive performance. Kilmarnock were clinical in their disposal of Hearts as they inflicted a first home defeat upon the Edinburgh club since October. Of course, it was the Ayrshire side who won 3-0 on that occasion.

This was a similarly intelligent performance from Mixu Paatelainen's well-organised outfit. Hearts dominated the first half as their visitors retreated and played on the counter-attack.

Unable to breach Kilmarnock's rearguard, the hosts were undone inside the first ten minutes of the second half.

First David Silva capitalised on a hurried clearance from Craig Thomson to charge forward and slot convincingly beyond Marian Kello from distance. Then Eremenko exchanged passes with William Gros for a first-time finish from around six yards.

Even after being reduced to ten men, Kilmarnock showed resilience and spirit to defend their lead. Hearts probed and pressed but seemed to suffer without a plethora of first-team regulars, including Kevin Kyle, Ruben Palazuelos, Andy Webster, Lee Wallace and Ian Black. Andy Driver was on the substitutes' bench.

Neither Jefferies nor Jonsson sought to employ excuses but both explained the need to re-focus on the task of securing third place.

"That's two bad defeats against Kilmarnock at home," said Jonsson. "We went on a good run after the last one so hopefully we can do the same again. They've beaten us twice but I don't think we should be looking at what they're doing. I think we should look at what we've done in these games and look at what we did to win other games.

"They got two goals on the break but we've given the ball away cheaply. We've made ourselves pay and it's a tough game to lose. It was a good chance to really seal third place but we can't get too down about it. We need to get working and start winning."

Asked if Hearts had relaxed due to their sizeable advantage in third place - they sat 16 points ahead of Kilmarnock at kick-off - Jonsson replied: "I can only speak for myself but it's a hard thing to explain. Maybe we have relaxed a bit but we can't really relax. All the other teams can catch us if we play like we did on Saturday. We've had a reality check and we're back on the ground now.

"Kilmarnock will catch us if they keep playing like that, it's pretty simple. If you don't get motivated for playing football then you're in the wrong job.

"We started well and were on top but we lost our way. We lost a goal after half-time then we didn't really get going again. It's not about motivation because we were well up for it at the start of the game."

Jefferies lamented a lack of attacking creativity having started with two wingers, Suso and Templeton, and Calum Elliot as the central striker instead of Stephen Elliott.

"I thought we were the better side for the first 25 minutes but then Kilmarnock started coming into it," he said. "We had a bit more possession after they scored their goals but they are very good on the break. They defended well and kept us out.

"I felt when we got that attacking area the final ball to hurt them wasn't good enough.

"We didn't have the quality to create the opening. We do have a few boys out but boys who were maybe playing well a few weeks ago are maybe going off the boil a bit. That can happen but others aren't available so we are restricted.

"It's been on the cards that we were due a defeat so we have to take it.

They won more convincingly here last time but we responded great and hopefully we'll do the same between now and the end of the season. Kevin Kyle gives you an option if you have him as an out ball. That's why he's a handful and dangerous. We could have done with him but we've done without him for the last eight weeks. Everybody has us down as guaranteed third but until that's clinched you need to keep doing the business week in, week out."

As for Zaliukas, that he remained on the pitch was a source of confusion for Paatelainen even in the wake of victory. "According to the referee he sent Alexei off for raising his hands to Zaliukas' chest," said the Finn. "But what I saw was Zaliukas getting Eremenko by the throat. So why is Eremenko sent off and not Zaliukas? Both of them should have gone. Then Templeton comes and pushes Eremenko. Then you saw foul after foul. How did two or three of their players stay on the pitch?

"If I'm right I will consider an appeal against the red card. I saw exactly what happened. I had a good view. The one who starts things is the most guilty, I think he should be punished. In that incident it wasn't Eremenko who started everything so I'm very disappointed.

"I have genuine respect for Hearts. They are a good team with good individuals. They will finish comfortably third, no doubt about that. That's what makes our performance even more special."

Taken from the Scotsman