Hearts replaced Aberdeen as Celtic’s nearest title challengers in the Scottish Premiership after a clinical 4-0 victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
Robbie Neilson’s side faced a resurgent Jags team who were looking to build on their three-match unbeaten run. But two goals each from Juanma and his strike partner Osman Sow puts Hearts six points from top spot.
Partick, who finished with 10 men after goalkeeper Ryan Scully was sent off near the end, now have just a two-point cushion over bottom placed side Dundee United.
Despite the victory, Neilson insisted his side were still aiming for top six in the Premiership and “will not get carried away” despite their league position.
Graham Cummins scored two goals as Hamilton went down to a second heavy defeat of the season to St Johnstone.
Accies had previously endured their worst result of the campaign so far against St Johnstone – a 4-1 defeat.
David Wotherspoon and Michael O’Halloran were also on target in St Johnstone’s 4-2 win as the Perth side earned all three points and moved up to fourth in the league.
The newest managers installed at Premiership teams enjoyed their maiden victories as Dundee United and Motherwell collected maximum points. United picked up their first league win since early August as they defeated an off-colour Ross County 1-0 with Billy McKay’s late penalty at Tannadice.
McKay struck after 81 minutes following a foul on Scott Fraser by Martin Woods, to give Mixu Paatelainen his first victory since replacing Jackie McNamara.
The home team had substitute Aidan Connolly sent off for a second bookable offence in injury time but still had enough to hold out for the three points.
Louis Moult came off the bench to give Mark McGhee a first win in his second spell as the Motherwell manager. Moult prodded home from 10 yards with three minutes remaining as Motherwell capitalised from a throw-in near the corner flag and record a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
A Greg Tansey penalty rescued a 1-1 draw for 10-man Inverness against Dundee. Rory Loy put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot after David Raven had been dismissed but Tansey restored parity with a late penalty which broke their three-game losing streak.
