We suffered just our fifth league defeat of the season after a tepid encounter at Tannadice. 

Dundee United 0

Heart of Midlothian 1 (Penrice 73')

3pm Sunday 5 January 2025

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 10,214

Images: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)

The Team Talk

United came into this one after more last-gasp ecstasy as we put the sword to Dundee at Dens. 

Jim Goodwin made three changes following a run of three straight victories; Kristijan Trapanovski, Glenn Middleton and Ross Docherty all dropping to the bench in place of Richard Odada, Miller Thomson and Declan Gallagher who returned from suspension.

There were four DUFC Academy graduates involved in our matchday squad.

End to End

There were chances at both ends in search of an early opener. 

Some flashes across the Hearts' box looked like our earliest route to goal before we had penalty appeals waved away for a towering challenge on Kevin Holt. 

Hearts threatened themselves but couldn't find a killer pass before Liam Boyce looked to catch out Jack Walton with a fierce shot from a crossing position - which was expertly touched onto the crossbar. 

It was a tense affair that United seemed to take hole of midway through the first half. 

A teasing set piece from Strain was almost turned home by a combination of Odada and Emmanuel Adegboyega as we continued to push for the opener. A Blair Spittal corner was then nodded across by Craig Halkett and cleared off the line by Kevin Holt.

A Bold Switch

Five minutes before the break we made a double switch in search of more balance. 

Odada and Thomson were the ones replaced as Docherty and Jort van der Sande looked to make their mark. 

Looking to Crank it Up!

We almost took the lead early after the restart as van der Sande and Strain both had efforts blocked en-route in a crowded Hearts penalty area. 

At the other end, a Spittal free-kick from 30 yards crashed off the crossbar. 

One Moment of Quality

With just over 15 minutes to play, James Penrice had the visitors in front. It came through an air of fortune as Boyce's swipe at fresh air fell directly into the path of the full-back and he thundered it beyond Walton. 

We threw everything at it as we approached injury time but it amounted to nothing.

Post-Match Thoughts

Teamlines

Dundee United

Starting XI: Walton, Strain, Holt, Sevelj, Ferry, Odada, Adegboyega, Stephenson, Dalby, Thomson, Gallagher (c)

Subs: Richards, Graham, Trapanovski, Middleton, Fotheringham, van der Sande, Docherty, Stirton, Meshack

Heart of Midlothian

Starting XI: Gordon (c), Halkett, Grant, Devlin, Rowles, Spittal, Wilson, Boyce, Penrice, Forrester, Musa

Subs: Fulton, Oyegoke, Forrest, Boateng, Dhanda, Neilson, Tait, McCart, Vargas

Next Up

It's a midweek trip to Glasgow as we face the league leaders at Celtic Park. 

CLICK HERE for full ticket details!

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