Partick Thistle 0 Hearts 4

Hearts replaced Aberdeen as Celtic's nearest Premiership title challengers after a 4-0 stroll over Partick Thistle at Firhill. The Dons surrendered second place after losing 3-1 to Ronny Deila's champions at Parkhead in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. That left the door open for Robbie Neilson's side as they faced up to a resurgent Jags team who were looking to build on their three-match unbeaten run. But doubles from both Juanma and strike partner Osman Sow means just six points now separate the Tynecastle club from top spot. Partick, who finished with 10 men after keeper Ryan Scully was sent-off near the end, now have just a two-point cushion over bottom side Dundee United. With Thistle number one Tomas Cerny ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury, Scully started in goal for Alan Archibald's men while Ryan Edwards made way for skipper Abdul Osman. The Jambos, meanwhile, were looking to bounce back after the Hoops ended their League Cup hopes in midweek, with Neilson freshening up his side by bringing Arnaud Djoum, Juwon Oshaniwa and Danny Swanson back in to start. And the changes had the desired effect as Hearts started with a menacingly look, coming close through Callum Paterson and Danny Swanson. But Thistle soon got a grip in midfield as they produced some tidy stuff. Stuart Bannigan's looping volley dropped just wide of Neil Alexander's goal before Hearts defender Jordan McGhee had to block David Amoo's shot as it look destined for the corner of the net. But the harmony in the Jags ranks did not last. First Osman had to step in to calm down warring team-mates Dan Seaborne and Mustapha Dumbuya when they squared up while disagreeing on who was to blame for letting Juanma in on goal. Then they switched off entirely as Hearts took the lead 38 minutes in. Sam Nicholson connected with Swanson's free-kick from wide on the left but Scully was down smartly to push away his header. But the keeper's alertness was not matched by his Maryhill colleagues as they allowed Sow to turn the ball back into the danger area, where Juanma bundled home from point-blank range. The Spaniard then repaid the favour as Hearts doubled their lead six minutes into the second period. Bannigan looked favourite to rob possession out on the touchline but Juanma simply shrugged off the former Scotland Under-21 cap and rolled the ball into the feet of his strike partner. Sow did not appear to have too much room for manoeuvre but a clever turn saw the Swede roll past marker Liam Lindsay as he slotted past Scully. And Juanma wrapped up the points with his eighth goal of the season as he tucked away a penalty after 63 minutes following Liam Lindsay's clumsy foul on Djoum. Juanma was replaced immediately after scoring, leaving Sow to take over the spot-kick duties after he himself was clattered into by Scully whilst racing through on goal four minutes from time. Referee Steven McLean had no option but to flash red at the keeper. With all three subs used, forward Ryan Stevenson took over in goal but could not keep out Sow's firm strike.