HEARTS fans hailed Alexandros the Great as they went top of the league.
Over 6000 expectant Jambos punters descended on Livi to see if Derek McInnes’ could deliver a big away win.
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Sub Alexandros Kyziridis was the hero with an injury-time goal and assist to move Hearts a point above Celtic.
The Greek wideman made a huge impact off the bench as McInnes’ side finally saw off Livi.
Davie Martindale’s side put so much into this game and took the lead through Lewis Smith.
Even after Kyziridis scored in injury-time, they still had a glorious chance to level through Connor McLennan.
But Hearts had just enough to claim the three points and make it ten points out of 12 at the start of the season.
McInnes and his backroom staff jumped out of their dugout in delight when Kyziridis netted a huge winner.
Hearts weren’t at their best but this was a vital win on the road for the Tynecastle outfit.
Claudio Braga – who netted the equaliser – was back in the Hearts team after his double off the bench against Motherwell last weekend.
The striker almost burst through inside the first two minutes but Jerome Prior was out quick to clear.
Zander Clark suffered an injury making an early clearance but was able to play on after treatment a day before he joins up with Scotland.
Hearts had most of the ball early on, with Braga the biggest threat to Livi with his pace.
Lawrence Shankland’s clever pass released him down the right and burst into the box before firing wide.
However, that was as close as Hearts really came in the first – half with the best chances coming up the other end.
Livi had threatened from set-pieces before Smith took the game by storm with a stunning strike.
The winger left Harry Milne for dead with a sublime nutmeg and then glided infield on his left foot.
Smith found the top corner with a curling strike against Falkirk earlier this season – but mixed it up this time.
The Livi star went for power and drilled a perfect finish beyond Clark and into the bottom corner.
Livi were fired up and continued to press for a second goal before the break.
Robbie Muirhead raced down the left and looked to pick out Smith at the back post – but Milne got back to put him off.
Then Tete Yengi powered into the box and showed great skill to find space ten yards out.
But Clark was a match for his powerful strike and Hearts escaped.
The huge away support weren’t happy and Livi also had a goal disallowed before the break after Mo Sylla finished off a corner.
Ref Duncan Nicolson had spotted a foul before the ball hit the net and Hearts escaped further damage.
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Not that it meant much to the Hearts fans – who let their anger be known at the break.
McInnes made a change of formation – taking off Craig Halkett and sending on winger Kyziridis.
And the change in Hearts was immediate as Braga grabbed the equaliser two minutes after the restart.
Kyziridis had already had a shot saved when he fired in a brilliant cross and the Hearts striker glanced it past Prior.
It was a superb finish from Braga as the away crowd erupted into his trademark chant.
The little forward hit the side netting with a shot as Hearts pinned the hosts back for a spell.
McInnes’ men forced a series of corners but Livi defended well under major pressure.
Hearts’ record signing Ageu came on for his debut in 61 minutes as they searched for a winner.
The Brazilian played off the left and had a shot blocked after a corner was cleared.
Ageu then fired wide from 25 yards as Hearts continued to dominate going into the final quarter.
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The midfielder was involved as Braga spurned a golden chance to make it 2-1.
Shankland’s brilliant pass released Ageu – who saw a close-range shot saved by Prior.
But Braga was quick onto the rebound and looked certain to score – only to hit the post from six yards.
Hearts kept pushing but Livi were superb defensively – until Kyziridis struck in injury time.
Sylla’s clearance bounced to Shankland and found the Greek star, who provided a terrific curling finish.
The huge away support went crazy but there was almost one final twist as Livi chased a leveller.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Sub McLennan was unmarked as he met a corner but somehow headed wide with Clark well beaten.
The Livi players couldn’t believe it but Hearts didn’t care as they moved in front of Celtic.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
