Sabah Kerjota delivered a last‑gasp strike that secured a 2-1 comeback win for Hearts over Dundee at Tynecastle, marking the club's fourth consecutive Premiership triumph. The match began with Dundee taking the initiative early on, but a series of setbacks and a surge of determination from the home side turned the tide in the final moments.
Dundee opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Bradley Fink capitalised on a well‑timed run behind Hearts defender Oisin McEntee. The Swiss forward collected a lofted pass from Imari Samuels, took a touch to control the ball and slotted it past an exposed Beau Reus from about 12 yards out.
The goal gave the visitors an early advantage and forced Hearts onto the back foot for much of the first half. Hearts struggled to find rhythm in the opening stages. Their best chance came in the third minute when Calvin Miller saw his effort deflected behind the goal line, prompting a corner that led to a serious incident.
Dundee midfielder Joe Westley collided with Hearts' Jamie McCart and was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher, prompting an early substitution that saw Bobby Wales come on for the visitors. The home side continued to press but were repeatedly thwarted by Dundee's organised defence. In the 30th minute, Ethan Hamilton broke away after a mistake by Hearts' substitute goalkeeper Tomas Magnusson, but his low shot from just outside the box drifted wide of the left post. Hearts' frustration grew as they were unable to convert several early opportunities.
The second half began with Hearts showing renewed intent. Five minutes after the restart, Josh McPake received a pass from Magnusson and drove into the box, only to be denied by Dundee's keeper Owen Goodman. On the opposite flank, Dundee substitute Jack Moorhouse forced a crossbar rebound after dispossessing Jordi Altena, underscoring the fine margins that would define the contest.
Midway through the half, Dundee suffered another blow when Fin Robertson was stretchered off after a collision, leaving the visitors with a depleted midfield. The loss of two key players – Westley and Robertson – began to tilt the balance in Hearts' favour, allowing them to dominate possession and create more chances. Hearts' persistence paid off in the 84th minute when a VAR review awarded them a penalty.
The review determined that Owen Bevan had used his arm to block a cut‑back from Christian Borchgrevink, prompting referee intervention. Claudio Braga stepped up and, after a brief hesitation, sent the ball low to the left of Goodman's reach, equalising the score at 1-1. The drama intensified in the final minutes. In the 90th minute, Dundee's Zan Besir was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Magnusson, reducing the visitors to ten men as the match entered stoppage time.
The numerical disadvantage proved costly. Six minutes into added time, Albanian substitute Sabah Kerjota, who had not scored since joining Hearts last summer, found space inside the box after a short corner was worked to him. He struck a low‑angled finish that slipped under the advancing goalkeeper, restoring Hearts' lead to 2-1. The goal sealed a memorable victory for Hearts, who now sit second in the league table and remain unbeaten in eight games across all competitions.
Manager Wouter Vrancken praised his side's resilience, noting that the win came after a challenging derby defeat to Hibernian earlier in the week. "If you win a derby and then lose the next game, the focus shifts to the negative and the emotion of the derby fades," Vrancken said.
"I was pleased to see the players stay composed, keep pushing and ultimately claim the points we deserved. Their ability to remain calm under pressure is essential for competing for the top spots." Dundee manager Steven Pressley reflected on the difficulties his team faced, including enforced changes and the loss of two players to injury. "It was a challenging afternoon, but the squad showed incredible attitude and determination," Pressley remarked.
"We didn't dominate possession, but the will to fight for a result was evident." The match highlighted several key themes: the impact of injuries on team dynamics, the importance of squad depth, and the decisive role of set‑pieces and penalties in tightly contested fixtures. Hearts' ability to capitalise on a late penalty and a substitute's decisive strike underscores the value of having quality players ready to make an impact off the bench.
Beyond the immediate result, the win keeps Hearts within striking distance of the league leaders and adds momentum as they aim to secure a top‑four finish. For Dundee, the defeat serves as a learning experience about coping with adversity and managing games when reduced to ten men. Overall, the encounter was a showcase of Scottish Premiership drama, with both sides displaying moments of brilliance and resilience. Hearts' late heroics will be remembered by their supporters, while Dundee can take pride in the fight they displayed despite the setbacks they endured.
The match also serves as a reminder that football can change in an instant, and that perseverance often rewards those who remain steadfast until the final whistle.