Hearts Vs Falkirk — Chesnokov’s strike and why Hearts’ lift matters for Rangers, Motherwell and the title race

Who feels the impact first? Fans and rivals do — hearts and nerves alike. The match labelled here as hearts vs falkirk left Hearts with breathing room at the top and forced immediate responses from Rangers and a chasing Motherwell. That gap changes how remaining fixtures and a game in hand could be valued by several clubs and sets the tone for the run-in.

Hearts Vs Falkirk and the immediate ripple for Rangers and Motherwell

Here’s the part that matters: Hearts’ win widened margins that matter to title contenders. Hearts went five points clear by beating Falkirk, and that cushion was enough to reframe both Rangers’ upcoming trip and Motherwell’s pursuit if they take their game in hand. The real question now is how those rivals respond in the next round of fixtures.

Match snapshot: Tynecastle, the goal and the context

At Tynecastle Hearts won 1-0 against Falkirk. The Jambos had been beaten 4-2 at Rangers last weekend, but they broke the deadlock just before half-time when January signing Islam Chesnokov lashed home his first goal for the club. Hearts held on to move five points clear of Rangers; Rangers travel to bottom side Livingston on Sunday.

Motherwell’s rout in Paisley and the changing midtable dynamics

In a downpour in Paisley, Motherwell ran out 5-0 winners at St Mirren, a result that kept their fairytale season going. St Mirren had kept a clean sheet in four of their latest five games, but that defensive run collapsed tonight. Motherwell have now kept 12 clean sheets and conceded just three goals in their last 15 league games; they have now lost only three league games, and only second-top Rangers have lost fewer.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou had said before kick-off that there was still a "little bit of feeling of revenge" after a 4-1 defeat by St Mirren in the League Cup semi-final earlier this season, and his side delivered in style. They are now unbeaten in their latest four visits to SMiSA Stadium, all without conceding a goal, and have suffered just one defeat in their last 12 league visits. If they win their game in hand, they are seven points behind Hearts and they still have Rangers and Celtic to play as well. Manager reaction from Paisley is available on the St Mirren and Motherwell club pages.

Dundee, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock: late drama, red cards and penalties

Dundee turned a frantic match at Aberdeen into a 3-2 win thanks to a late Ethan Hamilton strike. Aberdeen finished the game with 10 men after Liam Morrison was sent off just before half-time. The Dons had taken the lead after 13 minutes when Kevin Nisbet’s shot was fumbled by Dundee keeper Jon McCracken and, after Toyosi Olusanya’s rebound, looked to have crossed the line. Before half-time Morrison hauled down Tony Yogane in the box; after a lengthy video assistant referee review Morrison received a red card and Simon Murray converted the penalty. Joel Cotterill then put Dundee ahead just before the break when his shot was spilled by Per Kristian Bråtveit. Aberdeen equalised in the 68th minute with a 25-yard free-kick from Nisbet, but Hamilton lashed in the winner with six minutes left.

Kilmarnock salvaged a 1-1 draw at Dundee United. Panutche Camará’s early shot hit the bar, Amar Fatah had an early penalty saved but later curled one in on 74 minutes; David Watson then headed a stoppage-time equaliser. Jack Thomson was shown a red card for hauling back Fatah as he sprinted clear.

Coverage notes, unavailable live blog and fixture signals

One live blog was unavailable this cycle, showing a temporary technical issue for real-time text updates. Fans can catch highlights on a late-night highlights show at 22: 25. Join tomorrow for more live Premiership action: Rangers go to Livingston on Sunday, while Celtic will be looking to bounce back from their European humiliation when they host Hibernian.

• Hearts’ immediate advantage: a five-point gap that alters how rivals prioritise fixtures and squad rotation.
• Motherwell’s form: 12 clean sheets and just three goals conceded in 15 league games makes them a clear contender for top-three pressure — but they are running out of games.
• Discipline and VAR are shaping results: red cards and a lengthy VAR review swung the Aberdeen–Dundee tie and influenced late-game momentum elsewhere.
• Late goals remain decisive: Ethan Hamilton and quick-fire stoppage-time actions continue to separate teams with narrow margins.

It’s easy to overlook, but the bigger signal here is the combination of defensive solidity and timely attacking recruits — exemplified by Chesnokov’s first strike — that is reshaping the ladder at a sensitive moment in the season.

John Rankin, the former Hibernian and Dundee United midfielder, noted that "that type of performance can really kick you on, " reflecting how single results can tilt momentum. A final practical note: if Motherwell convert their game in hand they narrow the arithmetic gap to Hearts substantially, but uncertainty remains — fixtures against Rangers and Celtic still await them and could change the picture again.