A below par performance from Accra Hearts of Oak made Zaytuna FC looked a super side at the Ohene Djan Stadium as the Phobians slumped to a home defeat on Thursday in their match-day-13 fixture of the OneTouch Premier League.

The 2-1 defeat leaves the Phobians, pre-match favourites, just a step above the bottom-placed side on the table but with a game in hand.

Zaytuna, clearly looked the better of the two sides and deserved the win, handing new Hearts of Oak coach Eyal Lachman a sore start to his premiership campaign.

One of the few bright moments for the defending league champions was their consolation goal which came through a spot kick scored by Bernard Don Bortey after George Ankamah and substitute Christian Essel had already given the away team a 2-0 lead.

The Dansoman-based side jumped into the lead after 18 minutes when George Ankamah finished off a pass from Danny Larbi.

Ankamah’s goal separated both sides as the first half came to end.

The second half clearly belonged to Zaytuna FC, who had to wait till substitute Christian Essel made it 2-0 with ten minutes left on the clock.

However, as time approached, the Phobians earned a penalty after substitute; Kofi Abanga had been felled in the Zaytuna box.

Bernard Dong Bortey, returning to first team action after months out stepped up to score from the spot kick.

The win was the third victory for Zaytuna, who move out of the bottom three briefly.