Hearts picked up a massive three points at Tannadice this evening, seeing off nine-men Dundee United in a 3-0 victory on Tayside.
Landry Kabore swept home after 12 minutes to send the Jambos on the way, before United man Amar Fatah was sent off for a late challenge on Marc Leonard shortly after.
Alexandros Kyziridis converted from the spot on the half-hour mark, before another United red card, this time for Camara, cleared the way for Kabore to add his second ten minutes from time.
Derek McInnes made three changes to the side that settled for a point against Celtic at home last week - Alex Schwolow returning between the posts, with Jordi Altena and Oisin McEntee recalled to the starting eleven.
Although United shaded possession in the opening ten, it was the Jambos that raced into the lead after 12 via Landry Kabore - the Burkina Faso international making no mistake from close range as he swept home Harry Milne's cross.
Ten minutes later, United's luck went from bad to worse, with Amar Fatah handed his marching orders after a VAR review saw his poor challenge against Marc Leonard upgraded to a red.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hearts added their second just before the half-hour mark after Claudio Braga was hauled down on the edge of the box - another VAR review seeing the Jambos earn a penalty.
Alexandros Kyziridis struck sweetly from the spot to compound a near-flawless opening stanza for the men in maroon, and Hearts asserted their dominance further as they chased for a third before the half's close.
Indeed, Kabore had a glorious chance to bag a brace, but his header towards goal was saved at point-blank distance thanks to some fine goalkeeping from Ashley Maynard-Brewer after 36 minutes.
Two minutes later, and the Jambos went close again as Harry Milne let rip from distance after a delightful switch from Kyziridis across the park, with Maynard-Brewer alive again to tip his rake over the bar.
HT: Dundee United 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Even with the man advantage, United still posed threats as the second half begun, with Zach Sapsford drilling a header wide from a perfect angle after good running from Panutche Camara down the right side led to a great cross.
Minutes later, and Kabore was denied twice in quick succession after Altena laid the ball to him on a plate inside the United area - Ryan Strain first clearing the ball of the line, before Maynard-Brewer saved at the second time of asking.
With 15 minutes to go, another punch to the gut was delivered to United, with Camara sent off for an altercation with Marc Leonard in an off the ball incident to put the hosts down to nine - with United coach Dave Bowman also receiving a red from the bench following his reaction to the red card.
United were done for, and Hearts landed the killing blow ten minutes from time as Kabore grabbed a deserved second goal of the evening - expertly turning under pressure in the box and shooting, not even a touch from Maynard-Brewer enough to stop it from hitting the back of the net.
Dundee United: Maynard-Brewer, Strain, Graham, Trapanovski (Sapsford 45'), Ferry, Sibbald (Camara 58'), Fatah, Stephenson, Keresztes, Cleall-Harding, Moller (Stirton 69')
Subs: Richards, Esselink, Iovu, Camara, Sapsford, Farrugia, Naamo, Stirton, Watters
Hearts: Schwolow, Halkett, Braga (Kerjota 73') , Kabore, Milne (McCart 73'), Findlay, Magnusson (Ageu 82'), Altena (Steinwender 73'), McEntee, Leonard, Kyziridis (Mato 82')
Subs: Gordon, Kent, McCart, Kabangu, Steinwender, Spittal, Kerjota, Ageu, Mato
Attendance: 11,627
