Hearts kept up their 100% record and sent out a statement of intent with the demolition of Partick Thistle at Tynecastle this afternoon.

Former manager Jim Jefferies had tipped the Jambos for a title challenge earlier in the week, and if they keep up this sort of form, they might just be able to keep things interesting at the top of the table for a while yet.

Osman Sow opened the scoring midway through the first half before two goals in two second half minutes from Sam Nicholson and Juanma put the result beyond doubt.

Thistle started brightly but the first real chance of the game fell to Hearts, Nicholson driving forward and unleashing a shot from 25 yards that Tomas Cerny tipped over.

The home support were then on their feet when a corner was cleared to Igor Rossi, but the defender’s well-struck volley rippled the side-netting.

The pressure was starting to build though, and Hearts took a deserved lead after 28 minutes.

Thistle keeper Cerny attempted to gather a lofted corner from Nicholson, but under pressure from Calum Paterson the ball squirmed from his grasp, and Sow helped himself to a tap in.

Thistle were struggling to maintain possession in the face of some intense pressing from Hearts, and Sow created a good opening after dispossessing Gary Miller.

His attempted cut-back was scrambled clear though as the Jags restricted the arrears to one at the break.

The second half started in the same manner, with Sow again getting in behind Miller and showing great footwork before another desperate Thistle clearance.

Hearts should have had their second when Morgaro Gomis drove through the midfield and played a clever reverse ball that put Nicholson through on goal.

The youngster advanced on Cerny but pulled his effort wide of the right-hand post.

A corner for Hearts again caused problems for the visitors, Juanma eventually sending a driven effort just over as Thistle struggled to clear their lines.

Gary Fraser had looked neat and tidy on the Thistle right, and he fashioned a decent opportunity with a run and cross that Neil Alexander did well to gather.

Hearts were then handed a golden opportunity to extend their lead as Paterson’s run into the box onto a Billy King pass was brought to an abrupt halt by the sliding challenge of Stuart Bannigan.

Referee John Beaton pointed to the spot and despite Cerny doing well to save Juanma’s spot-kick, Nicholson was first to the rebound to smash home after 68 minutes.

The game was over as a contest two minutes later, as Juanma made up for his penalty miss by grabbing the third.

The Spaniard latched onto a hopeful long ball and outmuscled Frederic Frans before drawing Cerny and finishing with a delightful chip.

Thistle almost grabbed a consolation when Fraser’s corner was met by the head of substitute Abdul Osman, but a combination of keeper Alexander and Gomis on the line kept the ball out.

Gavin Reilly then brought out a magnificent save from Cerny, breaking through before curling a low effort that the Czech keeper did brilliantly to get down to and divert just past.

In the end though the Jambos will again be delighted with their afternoon’s work, whilst Thistle’s stuttering start to the season continues.