GPL 26/27: Hearts pip Holy Stars to go top of the table after 3rd consecutive win

Accra Hearts of Oak secured a 1-0 victory over Holy Stars at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday.

Martin Karikari scored the decisive goal to ensure a third consecutive league win for the Phobians.

Before today's game, Hearts were unbeaten in three, thanks to a draw with Dreams F.C., followed by consecutive victories over Vision F.C. and Port City.

Their guests had won two of the last three, with a 2-0 defeat at Gold Stars being the only blemish.

When the match started, it was exactly as expected: a close contest of contrasting styles.

Hearts nearly took the lead after seven minutes, but Kwaku Boateng's effort from inside the box was cleared off the goal line.

Thirteen minutes later, Hearts were denied by the crossbar when Ransford Mensah's free kick from thirty yards rattled the post.

Hearts kept probing but their main creative outlets, Yaw Amankwaah Baafi and Kwaku Boateng, were kept under lock and key.

At the start of the second half, Holy Stars pair of Abdul Basit and Joseph Hudson began to impose themselves a bit more on the game, offering the visitors brief spells of possession to break Hearts' dominance.

With nine minutes remaining, Hearts found the breakthrough, and it was worth the wait.

Martin Karikari received the pass just inside the box and for a split second, he appeared to have been trapped by two Holy Stars defenders.

However, he shifted his body to the left and back across to his right, deceiving the defender to his left into moving.

With the speed of lightning, Karikari stepped between the small opening and fired a snapshot to the near post before the goalkeeper, Baffoe Razak, could react.

Friday's victory sends Hearts to the top of the Ghana Premier League with 17 points.

The Phobians are now unbeaten in four matches, with three wins in that time.

Meanwhile, Holy Stars have two wins and two defeats in their last four matches.