Hearts of Oak ended Accra Lions’ five game winning streak as the Phobians picked up an emphatic 3-1 win over their city neighbors at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Gladson Awako’s screamer and second half goals from Ibrahim Salifu and Benjamin Yorke ensured 10 man Hearts of Oak pick up the all important win.
Second half substitute Seidu Bassit pulled one back for Accra Lions in the second half but it wasn’t to be as Lions lost out on moving to the summit of the league.
In a keenly contested game, Accra Lions started well and should have taken the lead after Redeemer Boateng’s freekick fell to Jacob Mensah whose cut back header was met by Mohammed Shawkan but the midfielder missed the golden opportunity.
Hearts had tried from long range through Gladson Awako and moments later Lions will surge forward again with Hagan Frimpong outwitting Dennis Korsah to send in a cross which evaded Shawkan before Daniel Awuni forced a great save from Richmond Ayi.
Deep into the half, Awako received a pass from Salifu before thunderously powering home the opener to score a goal of the season contender.
Donning the captain band, Awako was then sent off after some few minutes after misconduct against the referee. He was first booked for fouling Frimpong but his reaction forced the referee to send him out after splashing the second yellow card.
Back from recess, a mistake from Accra Lions captain Dominic Nsobila gifted Kwadwo Obeng the ball and was fouled by the Lions’ goalkeeper which resulted in a penalty. Ibrahim Salifu rose up to the occasion as he converted to give Hearts a cushion.
With ten minutes remaining, Seidu Bassit pulled one back after heading home from a Redeemer Boateng corner but as Lions pushed for an equalizer, Hearts of Oak restored the cushion with Benjamin Yorke firing in a shot which Owusu failed to grab.