Dundee Utd 1
Hibernian 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Hibs, who had only won once in twenty-two visits prior to this season, accomplished their second victory of the season by an identical scoreline. Yet we got off to the perfect start and finished strongly, but that wasn't enough to prevent Hibs grabbing both points. That dream start came in the shape of an exhilarating third minute goal. Ian McPhee took a free-kick, followed up to collect that loose ball before blasting in a twenty yarder into the postage stamp corner, giving Goram no chance whatsoever. Hibs retaliated quickly. In the twelfth minute former United midfielder, Eddie May drove in a cross which Paul Kane swept sweetly into the corner of the net. Five minutes later Tortolano's corner from the right to the near post was diverted in via the far post by Mixu Paatelainen as he challenged George McCluskey. Hibs continued to hold the upper hand. A volley by Eddie May was blocked, and Billy Thomson saved well from a strike by Andy Watson. Then it was Andy Goram's turn to show his ability. First he dealt with a Kevin Gallacher drive, then he got down well to save from a header.

Dave Bowman replaced Gary McGinnis at the interval and gradually we began to assert some pressure. However, the general outcome was a succession of unproductive corners, though John Clark wasn't too far off the mark on more than one occasion. The last minute produced our best chances of an equaliser. Joe McLeod whipped over a cross from which Mixu's header was tipped over the bar. From the corner John Clark was only just kept out by the combined efforts of May and Goram. The ball ran loose to Dave Bowman who prodded in a shot which shaved the wrong side of the far post.