Dundee United 2 Hearts 1

Goals, red cards and late drama as United take three vital points at Tannadice against Hearts. By Gordon Aitchison With both teams looking for a reaction to midweek defeats, it was United who took the game to Hearts from kick-off. Guy Demel was unfortunate not to find more space to get off a shot in the opening minute after a bout of head tennis which Hearts struggled to clear. On 17 minutes United fans screamed for a penalty as a driven Spittal cross appeared to come of Oshaniwa’s arm. A minute later United thought they had taken the lead, an inswinging corner was met at the front post by the impressive Ofere, but his goal bound header was somehow clawed away by Neil Alexander in the Hearts goal. A slip by Gunning allowed Duada a run on goal down the left wing, but a bad bounce saw his shot drift well wide of the goal. Demel then had a free header, from another Spittal corner, this one went straight at Alexander and the goalkeeper could only watch as the ball spun past the post. On 36 minutes Jordan McGhee was fouled for up-ending Sinama-Pongolle. This would prove costly as just four minutes later the Hearts defender fouled Edward Ofere, which was enough for Kevin Clancy to reach for a second yellow, reducing Hearts to ten men. From the resultant fee kick John Rankin was booked, catching Jamie Walker late as he attempted to get a shot away. Guy Demel then gave United the lead, failing to heed the earlier warnings, the Hearts defence did not track his front post run and he was left with the simplest of tasks to head home from two yards out. Zanatta was then replaced by ex-United player Souttar as Hearts reacted to the sending off Half Time: United 1 – 0 Hearts Hearts made a change at half time with Oshinawa replaced by Branco. Hearts equalised in the 48th, slack play by United was punished when Ozturk floated a ball over the United defence and while they hesitated Jamie Walker stole in and arrowed an unstoppable drive past the largely redundant Kawashima. There were few chances as United tried to press the game as the had in the first forty five minutes, but it took till the seventieth minute for the next clear opportunity. Dow, who earlier had replaced Sinima-Pongolle, beat the onrushing Alexander and chipped in from twenty five yards out, but the ball bounced on the six yard line and agonisingly over the empty goal. The crowd would have to wait until four minutes from the end for any more significant action. Just how significant will remain to be seen, but as Paul Paton struck a thunderbolt from 20 yards out which flew past Alexander the tangerine faithful erupted into wild celebrations. Despite Henri Anier’s late two bookings which resulted in a red card and Kevin Clancy’s decision to play almost six minutes of injury time, United held out for a deserved victory. Full Time: United 2-1 Hearts Dundee United: Kawashima, Paton ( C ), Rankin, Ofere (Anier 73), Durnan, Gunning, Spittal, Fraser, Donaldson, Sinama-Pongolle (Dow 60), Demel (Dixon 54) Subs: Zwick, Dillon, Knoyke, Riski Hearts: Alexander, McGhee, Ozturk ( C ), Augustyn, Oshinawa (Rossi 45 ), Bauben (Djoum 76 ), Cowie, Nicholson, Walker, Zanatta (Souttar 43), Dauda Subs: Hamilton, L. Smith, Pallardo, Reilly Referee: Kevin Clancy Crowd: 8,031