Hearts of Oak fought themselves out of the shackles of relegation after thrashing strugglers Heart of Lions 4-0 at their adopted home ground at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast.
In a game that saw Hearts big-wigs Harry Zakkour, Tommy Okine, Alhaji Hearts, Frank Nelson and Joe Addo watch from the stands, the Phobians totally demolished their guest as they played home away from home due to suspension.
Selasi Adjei scored in the 6th minute before Togolese Foovi Aguidi scored twice while Eric Kumi sealed the game.
He applied an eye-catching connection to a Komi Foovi Aguidi incisive cross from the on the 6th minute mark to power the Phobians into the lead.
Though he scored the goal, he was not part of the celebration team as he laid down groaning in pain after colliding with Mozart Adjetey – the visitors keeper.
Hearts’ stop-gap coach Edward Ansah celebrated briefly with his charges but he was forced to make an early substitution as goal-scorer Adjei could not recover from his crash with the Lions keeper.
Youngster Kenneth Okoro was ushered from the bench to take his place and he formed a solid partnership with Foovi Aguidi.
Lions made attempts to come into the game but Hearts seemed charged by their demeaning position in the relegation zone and they registered the second goal in the 25th minute.
The crafty Emmanuel Hayford paved through the middle, advanced close to the area before intelligently tossing a pass to Aguidi and the Togolese international finished off the move with glee.
Lions came close with a free-kick in the 29th minute but midfielder Agyare lifted his effort over the crossbar.
The Phobians continued to make their statement of intent as Aguidi registered the third goal. The brilliant partnership between Aguidi and Okoro told as the starlet laced well for the latter to finish for his second of the afternoon.
Eric Kumi hammered the nail in Lions’ coffin late into the first-half.
The beauty of the game was marred when Lions attacker Hudu Yakubu clashed with Hearts keeper Soulama Abdoulaye and were both sent for early shower.
Hearts brought Seidu Mutawakilu to replace the Burkina Faso international.