In a thrilling finale at Tynecastle, Sabah Kerjota delivered a dramatic stoppage‑time strike that secured a 2‑1 comeback victory for Hearts over Dundee, marking the club's fourth consecutive win in the Scottish Premiership. The match unfolded with early tension, as Dundee took the lead in the 17th minute when Bradley Fink capitalised on a long ball from Imari Samuels, slipping past Oisin McEntee and slotting the ball past a vulnerable Beau Reus from twelve yards out. The visitors, who suffered the loss of both Joe Westley and Fin Robertson to stretcher‑borne injuries, seemed poised to dominate the first half, while Hearts struggled to find rhythm and were repeatedly thwarted by Dundee's disciplined defending. Hearts' early attempts were limited to a few half‑chances, notably a deflected effort by Calvin Miller in the third minute that barely tested the Dundee goalkeeper.
The situation worsened when Westley was forced off on a stretcher after a collision with Jamie McCart, prompting Bobby Wales to replace him. Despite the setback, Dundee continued to press, with Ethan Hamilton threatening a second goal after capitalising on a mistake by Hearts' substitute goalkeeper Tomas Magnusson, though his low drive from just outside the box missed the left post. The second half saw Hearts intensify their pressure. Josh McPake broke forward on a Magnusson pass and entered the box, only to be denied by defender Owen Goodman.
Across the pitch, Dundee's substitute Jack Moorhouse produced a close‑range effort that rattled the crossbar after dispossessing Jordi Altena. As the minutes ticked away, Hearts grew increasingly assertive, with James Wilson, Claudio Braga, JJ Williams and McPake all creating chances.
Meanwhile, Dundee's fortunes dwindled when Robertson, the second player to be stretchered off, left the field in the 76th minute, further depleting the visitors' options. The breakthrough for Hearts arrived in the 84th minute. A VAR review determined that Owen Bevan had used his arm to block a cut‑back from Christian Borchgrevink, awarding the home side a penalty.
Braga stepped up and, after a moment of hesitation, sent the ball low to the left of Goodman, equalising the score and reigniting hopes for a full‑time draw. The drama, however, was far from over.
In the 90th minute, Dundee's substitute Zan Besir was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Magnusson, reducing the visitors to ten men as the match entered stoppage time. Seizing the numerical advantage, Hearts introduced Albanian substitute Sabah Kerjota, who had yet to find the net for the club since joining last summer.
Six minutes into added time, Kerjota received a short corner that was expertly worked to him just inside the penalty area. He struck a low‑angled finish that slipped past Reus, securing a last‑minute winner and sending the Tynecastle crowd into rapturous celebration. The victory lifted Hearts to second place in the league table, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions. Manager Wouter Vrancken praised his side's resilience, noting that after a challenging derby loss to Hibernian, the team needed to refocus and maintain belief.
"If you win a derby and then lose the following weekend, the negativity can linger," Vrancken said. "I was pleased to see the players stay composed, show quality, and fight for what they deserved. Their resilience is essential if we aim for the top spots." Dundee manager Steven Pressley, who made four changes to his lineup after a 1‑1 draw with St Johnstone, acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter. He highlighted the numerous enforced alterations due to injuries and praised his squad's attitude and determination despite the loss of key players and the red card.
"It was a challenging afternoon, yet we nearly achieved a positive result," Pressley remarked. "The players showed incredible will and desire, even if we couldn't control possession. Their determination to fight for a result was commendable." The match also featured tactical adjustments, with Hearts replacing injured Blair Spittal with Tomas Magnusson, while Dundee introduced fresh faces including Samuels, Drey Wright, Robertson and Fink to adapt to the physical demands of the game. Both managers emphasized the importance of squad depth and the ability to adapt under pressure, especially in a league where injuries and suspensions can dramatically alter a team's fortunes.
Beyond the on‑field action, the game served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Scottish football, where a single moment—whether a penalty, a red card, or a last‑minute strike—can redefine a season's trajectory. Hearts' ability to claw back from a deficit and secure a win in the dying seconds underscores the team's growing confidence and their potential to challenge for the title as the campaign progresses. Fans left Tynecastle buzzing with excitement, celebrating Kerjota's decisive goal and the team's perseverance. The result also intensified the title race, with Hearts now poised to press on their momentum and aim for further victories as the season unfolds.
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