Hearts of Oak experienced goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye had a game to forget and will have to quickly recover fast in other to keep Hearts of Oak in the title chase.
GHANAsoccernet.com rates the performance of every player after what was truly a celebration of football.
Soulama Abdoulaye - 2
The experienced Burkina Faso International entered the pitch with confidence amid cheers. During the warm up session he was seen doing gestures to the fans indicating that Hearts will beat Kotoko by 2 goals.
If Soulama could control time he would have wished he never really took part in the game.
The Ex - Kotoko goalie had a stinker of a game. He scored a comic own goal and got himself sent off.
Until science develop a machine to erase memory the goal keeper can never forgive himself for that howler.
Fataw Mohammed - 5
The young right back had an okay game. Initially he struggled to hold the duo of Eric Donkor and Tuffour Frimpong on the left side of Kotoko's attack.
He allowed two dangerous cross in the opening five minute but Dauda Mohammed failed to utilize the crosses well.
When Edwin Tuffour Frimpong was given the marching orders Fatau with only Donkor to deal with improved his game and did a couple of surging runs delivery crosses to disturb the Kotoko back line.
Owusu Bempah - Not rated
The left back lasted for just five minutes
Robin Gnagne - 5
The once trusted defender is not having a good season by his standard. Sunday's super clash was no different. He struggled to keep Dauda Mohammed at bay with the striker beating him for pace on many occasions. Though he didn't have a great game he had nothing to do with the goal his team conceded
Akrofi 5.5
Akrofi has been gaining applause from fans and pundit this season. He was the better of the two centre backs for Hearts but he can not be exempted from the goal Hearts conceded. Though it was solely a Soulama howler the defender could've done better with the back pass.
A top professional defender should know better not to direct a back pass direct at goal.
Sabahn Laryea 6
Laryea has earned a call up to the home based Black stars with his performance for the rainbow club this season. His game wasn't so spectacular but it was okay. He was subbed of for Ollenu Ashitey around the 60th minute.
Mustapha Essuman - 5
The veteran midfielder had a poor game by his standards. He had some neat touches but he always slow the game with Hearts are attacking. The horrible free kick he executed in the dying embers of the game when the home fans were screaming goal sums up his bad day in office.
Eric Kumi - 3
The winger was very disappointing. He failed to pose any treat to Kotoko's fullbacks. It was surprise to see him last the entire duration of the game.
Isaac Mensah 7
Only Dauda Mohammed of Kotoko could rival him as the Man Of The Match. Ashiaman Messi as they call him was at his best. He tormented Tuffour Frimpong and got him sent off. His deliveries from free kicks was on point. He did everything right on the day except scoring a goal. It's sad he was on the losing side.
Samuel Yeboah 4
The striker was missing in action for large spell. He was scarified for Akurugu when Soulama was sent off.
Cosmos Dauda - 5
The striker vowed to score Kotoko having headed to the game with 3 goals in his last two. On the day he let his fans down.
He had a couple of chances in the first half of the game and failed to bury.
In the 2nd half he had two changes but a stomach direction shot and a failed scissor kick meant he will end his scoring run.
Kenedy Appiah - 5
He came in for injured Owusu Bempah and did a okay job. If he had support from winger Eric Kumi he would've done better.
Ashitey Ollenu - 6
The trickery winger came on in the 2nd half but was one of the best players on the pitch. He injected pace into Hearts' attack and won free kicks at very advantageous position. He all but cook an equalizer for Hearts but Cosmos Dauda wasted the chance.
ASANTE KOTOKO
Ernest Sowah - 7
The goalie had an excellent game. His anticipation was spot on. When ever he was called upon he was there to save his team.
Amos Frimpong - 6
The captain of the Porcupine warriors played a good game. He had Eric Kumi in his pocket all day. He was disciplined at the back and had only few forward runs.
Tuffour Frimpong 3
The left back started the game on the high combining so well with Eric Donkor going into attack. This wouldn't last long as Isaac Mensah will torment him forcing him to be book twice.
Ahmed Adams 6
The strong centre back did what was expected. He was equal to almost all the crosses delivered into the box.
Evans Quao 6
Pundits were surprised to see him start this epic clash but he made his coach proud for trusting him. He tamed Samuel Yeboah.
Elvis Nyarko - 7
The number 5 shirted midfielder was a power house. Even with 10 men against 11 he made sure Kotoko dominated the game.
Theophilus Nyame 6.5
Like his midfield partner he sold out a good game making sure the numerical disadvantage didn't count.
Frank Sarfo Gyamfi - 6
The winger had a fine game on the right side of Kotoko's attack. He was available at the back when Amos Frimpong and Eric Donkor called on him.
Eric Donkor 7
He started the game as a left winger but had to drop to the left back when Tuffour Frimpong got himself sent off.
He surged toward to support the attack and held his own against Isaac Mensah forcing the winger to move infield.
Obed Owusu - 7
If Kotoko fans are mad at Obed Owusu his performance on the day will give them a second thought. He was everywhere on the field from defence through midfield to attack.
Dauda Mohammed 7.5
The younger striker netted a brace in this fixture last season. He didn't score a goal but his performance won hearts as his team beat hearts.
He played a role in the only goal of the day putting pressure on Soulama to miscue the ball into his own net.
He had to Soulama's woes when the keeper got sent off for bringing him down on the edge of Hearts' goal area.
Kwadwo Poku - 5
He came in for Theophilus Nyame and helped Kotoko to keep possession.
Akwesi Nti - 5
Came on for Frank Sarfo Gyamfi and did an okay job on the right side of Kotoko's attack.
Emmanuel Asante - not rated
He was a late sub and he no impact in the game.
By Akromah Hawk
Follow on twitter @Sir_Hawk