Hearts seal late win against Motherwell to maintain lead at top

Hearts came from behind to beat Motherwell 3-1 on Saturday, maintaining their three-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

After a goalless first half in which both goalkeepers had saves to make, the pressure was on Hearts to find the breakthrough with Celtic 1-0 up against St Mirren.

Their task was made even harder as Motherwell - who matched the league leaders for much of the game - took the lead five minutes into the second half. It was a good break after winning the ball back in midfield, before Emmanuel Longelo turned home Tawanda Maswanhise's cross.

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But the Hearts comeback began in the 61st minute as Claudio Braga equalised. It came from a corner, which was nodded down at the back post by Stuart Findlay. The Portuguese forward was then there to scoop the ball over his head and past the goalkeeper.

There was a question of offside as the ball bounced through a packed box, but VAR deemed it to be onside and the goal stood.

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VAR was involved again 20 minutes later as Hearts were awarded a penalty. Stephen Welsh caught Pierre Landry Kabore in the head with his toes as the ball bounced around the area, with the home players arms going up for a spot kick.

The referee did not give it, but VAR sent him over to the monitor. He eventually gave the penalty, which Shankland sent home fiercely via the post to see Hearts ahead.

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Image: Hearts' Lawrence Shankland scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 against Motherwell

The game was wrapped up in six minutes of added time. It was a great spot from Beni Baningime to find the run of Kabore. He stood up well against his defender before eventually slotting past Calum Ward and sealing an important three points.

Hearts remain top of the Scottish Premiership by three points over Celtic in second. Rangers are third, four points behind the leaders, but can cut the gap on them when they face Falkirk on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

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