GPL Match Report: Heart of Oak Thrash City Rivals Accra Lions To Keep Top Four Hopes Alive

Accra Hearts of Oak walloped the Premier League debutants to return to winning ways after picking only a point in their last two Premier League matches.

Hearts of Oak inflicted a painful 3-0 home defeat on Accra Lions in their Ghana Premier League match-week 26 fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Phobians commenced the first half as a dangerous side with some early incursions to snatch the opener through Daniel Afriyie Barnieh on the 11th minute of the game.

Two-goal hero Daniel Afriyie Barnieh opened the score for the last season's Premier League champions after brilliantly connecting a rebound from Salifu Ibrahim's strike.

Obeng Junior forced goalkeeper Appiah Kubi to make a save with a well-struck 30-yard powerful drive on the 14th minute as Hearts of Oak were in search for more goals before the break.

Accra Lions came strongly into the game despite conceding before the half-hour, held Hearts of Oak with some dangerous counter-attacks but none of their efforts earned them the equalizer.

Accra Lions finished the last fifteen minutes of the first department of the match as a manless side after Abdul Rashid Abubakar was shown a straight red card for a horrible tackle on Obeng Junior.

Obeng Junior was forced out of the game following Rashid Abubakar's tackle on his ankle after enjoying just 35 minutes. Isaac Agyenim Boateng replaced Obeng Junior.

Accra Lions kept frustrating the Ghana Premier League giants with brilliant passes in the last ten minutes of the first half but it couldn't produce any goal.

The first half of the game ended in a 1-0 win in favor of Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In the second half, Hearts of Oak returned from the break as a stronger side to dominate the game which aided them to extend the lead after ten minutes.

On the 55th minute, substitute Isaac Agyenim Boateng doubled the lead for the Phobians with a superb strike from a through-pass delivered by young winger Suraj Seidu.

Coach Samuel Boadu introduced more men after the hour-mark, Sulley Ali Muntari, Patrick Razak, Salim Adams and James Serwornu were all introduced.

Appiah Kubi's second half heroics denied the upfront of Hearts of Oak from running riot in the second. He combined with Abdul Kassim to prevent Daniel Afriyie Barnieh from scoring on the 85th minute.

Three minutes later, Accra Lions were unlucky to deny the Phobians again as Daniel Afriyie Barnieh beautifully headed in a corner-kick effected by Sulley Muntari to end the fixture in a 3-0 win for Hearts of Oak.

Hearts of Oak have moved to the top four of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League log following today's win, pushing them to 40 points while Accra Lions lies 9th position with 33 points.