Hearts of Oak produced one of their finest performances in a Super 2 clash in recent years beating rivals Kotoko 3-1 in the first leg of the Ghana @60 Anniversary match.

In the presence of his Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, the Phobians took center stage dominating and controlling the tie much to the admiration of many at the stadium.

The Phobians were without coach Frank Nuttall but they produced a swashbuckling display full of attacking swagger led by the pace of Patrick Razak, polished by the trickery of Winful Cobbinah and shielded by the steel of Leonard Tawiah in midfield.

In a frantic opening, Sam Yeboah and Patrick Razak could have put the Phobians ahead but heroic goalkeeping by Felix Annan kept them at bay.

The tempo was very high in the first half with Hearts largely dominating but the Porcupines gradually found their feet as time went on. The second half began in the same fashion as the first but it was Kotoko who had the upper hand and momentum on their side and could have scored the first with a fine Obed Owusu header which was brilliantly parried away by Samuel Akurugu.

Felix Annan turned from hero to villain as his attempt to dribble Kwame Kizito proved futile with the attacker intercepting the ball and slotting home the opener.

His celebrations were cut short as Awal Mohammed headed home the opener 120 seconds later.

Thomas Abbey continued his rich vein of scoring form scoring the edge of the area before Patrick Razak put gloss on the scoreline after a fine counter attacking move.

Upwards and onwards for the Phobians as they head into the second leg with an advantage while Kotoko continue to struggle under interim coach Frimpong Manso.