Stevie Crawford: Hearts still favourites for Championship title despite Dunfermline's win

Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford stressed that Hearts remain favourites for the Championship title despite their defeat at East End Park.

Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford believes Hearts are still favourites for the league.

Crawford praised his team after goals by Dom Thomas and Euan Murray secured a 2-1 win to take them three points clear at the top of the table.

Hearts were overwhelming favourites to win the Championship before the season began. They won their first eight games in all competitions but came unstuck against an energetic Dunfermline side.

Stephen Kingsley headed a consolation goal for the visitors in the final stages of the match, but Dunfermline held on for a deserved victory.

They now boast a record of eight wins and one draw this season. "We showed a respect [towards Hearts] but a belief in ourselves. That’s important to me,” said Crawford. “Hearts are a very good side and they’ve got a very strong squad.

"The game was going to be a marker for us in terms of where we are at. We have players with a lot of development in them. It’s not just our staring 11. Our bench had possible game-changers as well. That’s very pleasing.

"Hearts are still favourites for the league. I’m not taking anything away from us. The Championship can be very unforgiving and within a couple of games you can find yourself at the other end of the table.

"We will very much enjoy the weekend but Hearts are a strong side. They will be the ones up there who we have to challenge at the end of the season.”

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