In-form Accra Hearts of Oak beat Legon Cities 1-0 in their first Premier League match of 2025.

Midfielder Ramzy Yussif's solo effort just before the interval, was the difference between the two sides.

An hour before kick off, Cities confirmed the appointment of Yaw Acheampong as head coach, following the exit of Paa Kwesi Fabin last month.

The former Aduana Stars coach made three changes to the line-up in his first match in charge.

Morris Fuseini, Aaron Quartey, and Nicholas Nti replaced Frederick Akatuk, Frederick Ofori and Bruce Tagoe respectively, for Acheampong's first team selection.

Before Friday's match, Cities had lost four consecutive matches and were firmly rooted at the bottom of the league with just eleven points from fifteen matches.

The visitors set out to remedy that with a strong start, anchoring their attack on the industry of Albert Yeboah.

In one of his many forays forward, Amoah set up Mohammed Alidu but he failed to stay on his feet, missing what would have been a glorious chance.

Midway through the first half, Cities had the chance to take the lead when Emmanuel Amankwaah fouled Williams Adjei just outside the area.

However, Quartey's free kick was deflected for a corner.For his offence in the foul, Amankwaah was shown the game's first yellow card.

The best chance of the match fell to Kwabena Asamoah when he found himself unmarked and at the end of a Theophilus Collison cross.

Despite being unmarked and having all the time in the world, the former Legon Cities striker failed to find the net.

Hearts went close again after thirty-six minutes when Collison's cross found Hamza Issa unmarked in the area.

However, the striker failed to connect and Hussein Mohammed who made contact, could not get it on target.

On the stroke of half-time, Ramzy scored his second goal of the season to put Hearts in front.

The midfielder picked the ball from the edge of the area, dribbled his way through a forest of legs before firing past Cities goalkeeper, Kwame Aziz.

Ten minutes after recess, Cities went close when Amoah fired from close range but Hearts keeper Benjamin Asare was equal to the task.

With eight minutes remaining on the clock, Emmanuel Amankwaah was was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away following a foul against Hearts of Oak.

Despite the red card, the Phobians managed the remaining minutes and six minutes of additional time, to secure a sixth win in their last eight matches.

Hearts have now moved to second place with twenty eight points, two fewer than league leaders Kpando Heart of Lions.

Legon Cities, meanwhile, remain bottom of the league with eleven points from sixteen matches.