THE CHEZ MASTER

New boy Islam seals massive win for Jambos

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And cool-as-you-like Islam Chesnokov had Falkirk licked with his first goal for Hearts to sprinkle yet more belief on their title charge.

The Kazakh forward slotted home a 45th-minute winner on his third start just as Tynecastle was beginning to fear a slip-up.

But on Big Hearts Day in Gorgie, Chesnokov’s strike got pulses racing again as Derek McInnes’ side move five clear at the top.

McInnes was dealt a pre-match blow when injury-jinxed record signing Eduardo Ageu picked up a problem in the warm-up and was replaced by Blair Spittal.

The midfield was already missing Beni Baningime after he jarred a knee in training.

Nevertheless the Jambos started brightly. Spittal should've opened the scoring after 10 minutes but fired over from 12 yards. Falkirk are never happy playing second fiddle through and soon worked their way into proceedings.

Barney Stewart drew a save from Alexander Schwolow before Benjamin Broggio fired over from inside the box.

But Chesnokov opened the scoring with a delightfully worked goal. Marc Leonard hooked the ball wide to Harry Milne whose ball inside found Alexandros Kyziridis 20 yards out. The Greek’s pass was weighted perfectly in between the Bairns backline for Chesnokov to step on to and bury low past Scott Bain.