Hearts 2 Motherwell 0

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Gavin Reilly netted his first goal for Hearts to send Robbie Neilson's men to the top of the Premiership.

Reilly's 33rd-minute penalty gave Hearts the lead on his first start since move from Queen of the South and the hosts were rarely threatened as they went on to secure a 2-0 victory over Motherwell at Tynecastle.

Billy King struck in the 64th minute and Hearts closed out the game to make it three wins out of three, with Kilmarnock's late equaliser against Celtic sending them clear at the top of the table.

The win also showed Neilson has the depth to rest several players with Blazej Augustyn and substitutes Jamie Walker and Juanma left out after the latter struck twice to earn Hearts three points at Dundee on Saturday.

Motherwell also made three changes, one of them enforced by Wes Fletcher's ankle injury. Louis Moult made his first start but made little headway as a lone striker and the game completely passed by Jake Taylor as the midfielder made his debut following his loan move from Reading.

Hearts started brightly with Sam Nicholson curling just wide from 20 yards but there was little in the game before the opener, although the Championship winners had more possession and territory and looked the stronger team.

The breakthrough came after Nicholson won possession from Scott McDonald just outside the Motherwell box.

In his desperation to retrieve the situation, the Australian tripped Nicholson from behind as the midfielder ran into the box and towards the Motherwell central defence. Brian Colvin rightly pointed to the spot and Reilly sent Connor Ripley the wrong way.

Marvin Johnson got Motherwell's first shot on target moments later but Neil Alexander was right behind it and Hearts soon came close when Nicholson's cross found Prince Buaben 12 yards out - but the midfielder headed inches wide.

The game had opened up and Ripley saved from Reilly before Motherwell missed the chance to punish Hearts on the break when McDonald failed to spot Lionel Ainsworth racing clear in time to play him in.

Low, driven crosses from both Ainsworth, who was back after suspension and Johnson failed to find any takers as Well tried to get back in the game after the break.

Ripley again saved from Reilly and Hearts continued to look dangerous on the break before winger King killed the game off, cutting inside a defender 16 yards out and fired a low strike that Ripley failed to keep out despite getting his body down to meet it. The goalkeeper could only get a hand to the effort and the ball rose into the corner of the net.

Motherwell never looked like forcing a comeback and Juanma was close to converting Callum Paterson's cross after coming off the bench.

Johnson had a couple of efforts on target but Alexander was not seriously tested and Hearts continued to control the game.