Fiorentina showed their class as they dumped Hearts at Tynecastle to secure their first win in the group.
Robbie Neilson's men went into the Europa Conference League showdown sitting in second spot after victory over group bottom seeds RFS in Riga last time out but always faced a tough test against the Serie A outfit. Their results might not have been consistent this season but they were always going to be a threat and have class and they showed that in the capital.
Rolando Mandragora headed home for the Italians after just four minutes to silence a sold-out Tynecastle after making a late run to connect with a cross and steer his effort beyond Hearts and Scotland No1 Craig Gordon. The veteran made a few saves to keep them at bay but once again stood no chance as Christian Kouame fired home an acrobatic effort with three minutes of the half to play to strike a further blow to the home side.
Moments into the second half the Jambos were reduced to ten-men - just like the weekend defeat to Rangers - after Lewis Neilson was sent packing with a straight red card for a shirt tug on Luka Jovic. The former Real Madrid man was then on target in the final stages of the game to blast the ball high into an empty net after a five on two counter-attack.
READ MORE: Hearts' Cammy Devlin sent 'really like him' message by Rangers boss van Bronckhorst after red card
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The result means the Jambos are still well in contention to reach the next stage but will need to put in a big performance in Florence next week to avoid falling four points behind them in the standings with just two games to go after next week's meeting.
Here are three things we learned from Hearts' defeat in Gorgie.
Silence the crowd
This was always going to be a tough test for Hearts and they got off to the worst possible start.
A simple cross into the box was met by Rolando Mandragora's deep run and he headed past Craig Gordon with just four minutes on the clock.
The atmosphere was rocking pre-match but that is the sort of start that can knock the stuffing out the supporters.
A goal on the stroke of half-time to double the visitors' advantage left the noise coming from the travelling away section.
Minutes into the second half a further blow hit the home support with Lewis Neilson sent-off for a last-man pull on the shirt before the hosts wrapped up the points with a third goal in the final stages of the game.
Anniversary boy
It is the 20th anniversary of Craig Gordon's debut for Hearts.
Two decades on the 39-year-old is still throwing himself around the goal like a teenager.
Had no chance with the three goals on the night but showed his class once again with some fine saves.
He may be getting older, but is not showing any signs of slowing down. A real asset to this Hearts side.
Midway report
Hearts are now three games into this Europa Conference League campaign and are still in the hunt for the knockout stages.
Three points from three games leaves them sitting third in the group - one point behind Fiorentina in second who picked up a first win in the section at Tynecastle tonight.
The trip to Florence next week will prove a vital and very, very tough game to keep hopes alive for qualifying to the next stage.
RFS have still to come to the capital with a trip to Turkey also on the agenda in the final run-in.
READ MORE:
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- Hearts star Craig Gordon heaps praise on Ryan Porteous as he aims to remain Scotland No1 for years
- Hibs and Hearts to battle it out for Women's Capital Cup with fans able to attend for free
- Hearts injury latest on Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles and Lewis Neilson as Robbie Neilson gives update
