Dundee Utd 2
Hearts 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

United played their third successive home match in six days as they welcomed third placed Hearts to Tannadice in a rearranged SPL fixture. In light of their hectic schedule boss Peter Houston made three changes to the side which had fought back twice from a goal down against Motherwell on Sunday to send the Scottish Cup tie to a replay. Craig Conway and Prince Buaben dropped out altogether as both were carrying injuries and Danny Swanson, who put in a tireless shift at the weekend, was given a place on the bench. Replacing them in the starting line up were Johnny Russell, who partnered David Goodwillie in attack, David Robertson in midfield and Jon Daly who lined up at centre half due to the injury problems which have plagued that area of the side for most of the season. Hearts, red hot favourites to clinch third place this season, had a notable inclusion in the form of former United captain and Scottish Cup hero Andy Webster, making his first appearance at Tannadice since his loan to the club ended in the summer.

Hearts bossed the opening few minutes in terms of possession however United were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as David Robertson appeared to be wrestled to the ground by Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid whilst attempting to get on the end of a through ball. Referee Brines, who did have a clear view of the challenge, instead waved play on. While clear chances were not forthcoming, Goodwillie was full of endeavour for the hosts and twice in succession his purposeful running at the Hearts defence led to corners. The first save of note came in the 16th minute when a loose headed clearance from Paul Dixon fell to Ryan Stevenson 18 yards out but thankfully for the Tangerines he didn’t make a brilliant connection and Pernis was able to gather comfortably. In a scrappy game with few openings frustration was starting to become an issue as both Goodwillie and Bouzid were involved in separate incidents, the latter receiving a yellow card for a two footed lunge on Barry Douglas. Just after the half hour mark the deadlock was almost broken when Goodwillie unleashed a powerful right foot drive as his pace beat Zaliukas to a Russell knock on, with only a top drawer save from Marian Kello stopping the ball going in at the near post. Moments later a good run from David Templeton into the United box ended with the ball breaking to Stephen Elliot who tried to guide the ball into the bottom corner but he was well wide of the target as Pernis watched.

In much the same vein as the opening period there were still very few openings as neither side managed to find any real space in the box. Bouzid was fortunate not to see a second yellow card when he tripped Douglas on the left wing before being substituted minutes later. While United were ahead in terms of possession the first brief moment of opportunity came for the visitors on the hour mark as David Templeton evaded several challenges as he made his way into the area, and although at the end of the run there were Hearts claims for a penalty, Keith Watson had clearly won the ball from him fairly. Barry Douglas won United a corner after 66 minutes after his free kick was deflected behind by the Hearts wall, with the midfielder being replaced by Danny Swanson straight after. David Robertson struck a decent right foot drive towards goal after 73 minutes which was well held by Kello before Goodwillie forced the keeper to turn his shot out for a corner after shooting towards the near post after a burst into the box. As the game looked set to end all square United sensationally broke the deadlock after 82 minutes with Russell at the heart of the move from start to finish. After initially driving towards the Hearts goal he was harshly pulled down from behind by Lee Wallace, earning the full back a yellow card. Swanson swung in a good ball which that man Johnny Russell rose early to meet with a header which floated over Kello and into the corner of the net. The Edinburgh side tried to respond and a set piece from the right caused problems for the United defence before falling to Templeton who volleyed over from a difficult angle. There was further joy for United in injury time as a teasing ball in from the left by Paul Dixon was just missed by Goodwillie before Johnny Russell made it a double in smashing the ball home from barely 2 yards out as a great nights work was rounded off.