Claudio Braga penaltySNS

Claudio Braga started the Hearts turnaround

At a glance

  • Late goals from Braga and Kerjota seal dramatic win for Hearts

  • Fink had given Dundee first-half lead

  • Hearts up to second and unbeaten in eight in all competitions

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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06/09/26

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Claudio Braga's penalty and Sabah Kerjota's brilliant low drive earned Hearts a dramatic Scottish Premiership victory over Dundee and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches.

Dundee, who finished with 10 men, had led for the majority of the game after on-loan Wycombe Wanderers striker Bradley Fink lofted a lovely finish over Beau Reus, having been played through by Imari Samuels.

Hearts toiled for little reward until a Christian Borchgrevink cross struck Owen Bevan's outstretched hand with just under 10 minutes to go.

Referee Chris Graham pointed to the spot after video assistant referee Andrew Dallas sent him to the pitchside monitor and Braga sent Dundee goalkeeper Owen Goodman the wrong way for his first goal in five outings.

The visitors were forced to play the final few minutes with 10 after substitute Zan Besir was sent off for a high scissor tackle on Josh McPake after another VAR intervention.

And the depleted visitors were unable to withstand the Hearts pressure that followed as substitute Kerjota fizzed a wonderful strike into the far corner to win it in the 96th minute.

Wouter Vrancken's side move up to second, three points behind Celtic and five above Dundee in sixth.

Hearts analysis: Vrancken train rolls on

Graphic

It is now 10 straight league wins at Tynecastle for Hearts - across this season and last - and this is the latest memorable result at the start of Vrancken's tenure.

The Belgian coach oversaw a significant turnover of players this summer and was questioned after heavy European defeats by Sturm Graz and Benfica, but since the latter, his team have grown week on week.

Off the back of Thursday's thrilling derby win at Easter Road, his side looked a bit leggy in the first half - understandable after three games in eight days - but they were much improved after the break.

Still, it felt like one of those days as shot after shot missed the target before Braga was denied by a fine Goodman save.

There is real momentum behind this Hearts team, though, and their significant efforts were rewarded in an electric closing spell.

Braga kept his cool to start the comeback before Kerjota rifled in his first goal for the club with time running out to send the home supporters into delirium.

Dundee analysis: Defensive efforts in vain

It was a gutting end for Dundee, who grafted in typical style and repelled wave after wave of Hearts attacks until the dramatic late show.

Centre-backs Owen Bevan and Ryan Astley made 20 clearances between them and the visitors held their shape well despite being pinned in their own half.

Ethan Hamilton got through a power of work in the middle of the park and drove Dundee forward during the first half in particular.

However, they ran out of steam and Besir's red card was a rash moment that ultimately proved costly.

There are injury worries over striker Joe Westley and midfielder Finlay Robertson, who were both carried from the pitch on a stretcher. The former has a cheekbone injury and the latter a knee problem.

Ryan Finnigan also went off with an ankle problem.

Pressley will hope for positive news on that front with 13 days until their next outing against Motherwell.

What they said

Pressley praises Dundee's 'never say die' spirit

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "First half was not good enough, we were looking at what was happening instead of taking it on. That's not who we want to be. There was not enough guts on the ball.

"One ball in behind, it's not possible to defend like this on one long ball. That's all we gave away, they didn't create another decent chance.

"Second half I was happy with the reaction. We were in the duels, had quality on the ball, pressed and dominated them. They were defending the result.

"We were patient, tried to get the ball round them. We had to be faster in these moments, but we showed conviction. We never gave up, we kept pushing and got what we deserved."

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "It was a really difficult to manage because of the injuries we sustained, and the sending off.

"We think Joe Westley could have a fractured cheekbone, which is a hammer blow. Fin Robertson looks like he's hurt the outside of his knee. We don't know the extent of it yet but we're a little fearful. Ryan Finnigan had to go off with an ankle injury, we're more hopeful of that.

"The one thing is, the players have a never-say-die attitude. They were incredible, they kept going and going through adversity. In the end, we nearly got an outstanding result."

'This year will be even better' - Braga

Player of the match

S. Kerjota
7.98
29 S. Kerjota
7.98
15 J. McPake
7.45
10 Cláudio Braga
7.22
1 B. Reus
7.19
5 J. McCart
6.98
7 C. Miller
6.88
2 C. Borchgrevink
6.82
17 S. Findlay
6.78
21 J. Wilson
6.74
18 H. Milne
6.73
78 L. Mendy
6.68
23 J. Altena
6.63
6 O. McEntee
6.58
9 J. Williams
6.09
22 T. Magnússon
5.98
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