Subs: Butcher, Goodwillie, Watson, Erskine, Dow, McCallum and Gomis
Booked: Wilson and Souttar
Subs Used: Watson, Gomis and Goodwillie
Starting XI (Hearts): MacDonald, Hamill, McHattie, Walker, Wilson, McGowan, Stevenson, Tapping, Paterson, Robinson and McGhee
Subs: McKay, Smith, Carrick, King, Hamilton, King and Nicholson
Booked: Walker, Tapping and Robinson
Subs Used: Carrick and King
My Man of the Match: Brain Graham
Photo;my man of the match
Dundee United make two changes to the team that beat Kilmarnock 5-2 on the 29th November, with Ciftci getting a two match ban due to the hearing after the cup game up in Inverness, Graham comes into the leading striker role. An injured Gunning allows room for captain Dillon to come back into the team. Hearts made one change with Smith being dropped to the bench allowing room for Tapping to come into the team.
As the game kicked off it was a pretty even game with both teams gaining free kicks within the first five minutes. The first chance of the half came from Armstrong who's shot just went wide of the post. This gave Hearts a boost with a chance coming from Paterson but his shot was blocked outside the box. Next Gauld had two shots, one which was saved and one that was blocked. It was a very slow start to the half until United gained a goal.
As the game kicked off it was a pretty even game with both teams gaining free kicks within the first five minutes. The first chance of the half came from Armstrong who's shot just went wide of the post. This gave Hearts a boost with a chance coming from Paterson but his shot was blocked outside the box. Next Gauld had two shots, one which was saved and one that was blocked. It was a very slow start to the half until United gained a goal.
Goal One Dundee United (Stuart Armstrong, 16th minute): Mackay-Steven plays the ball over the top of the Hearts defenders to allow Armstrong to make the run. Armstrong makes contact with the ball fires it past the Hearts keeper at an acute angle. Allowing United to open the scoring within the first 15 minutes of the game.
The next section of the half was very tense with both teams committing fouls and this resulted in Wilson giving away a penalty to Hearts. Hearts were however looking like the better team before the penalty was given
The next section of the half was very tense with both teams committing fouls and this resulted in Wilson giving away a penalty to Hearts. Hearts were however looking like the better team before the penalty was given
Goal One Hearts (Jamie Hamill, Penalty, 20th minute): A foul by Wilson, gave away a penalty to Hearts. Hamill stepped up to the mark. Sent Cierzniak the wrong way to bring them level with 25 minutes to go of the first half.
With another tense end of the half on its way, both teams were gaining and creating fouls every five minutes. This resulted in a player from both teams getting booked. It was pretty even on the attempts towards goal, with Graham having two chances and Robinson and Hamill sharing attempts on goal. It was pretty even as we go into half time.
With another tense end of the half on its way, both teams were gaining and creating fouls every five minutes. This resulted in a player from both teams getting booked. It was pretty even on the attempts towards goal, with Graham having two chances and Robinson and Hamill sharing attempts on goal. It was pretty even as we go into half time.
Half Time Dundee United 1 - 1 Hearts
Another poor first half from United allowed Hearts to come back into the game as they kept pushing the United strikers back and defenders left with a lot of work to do.
Photo; team celebrating Armstrongs goal
With the second half being delayed due to Walker being injured, play can restart after a couple of minutes delay. Rankin began the half with a shot on goal. Then two corners from United helped set up United's second goal.
Goal Two Dundee United (Brian Graham, 48th minute): A corner from Wilson on the left hand site. Graham made contact with it. A bullet header went straight over MacDonald's head and into the top right hand corner. Giving United the break three minutes into the second half.
Dundee United began to get their rhythm back and weren't letting Hearts have a shot on goal or even allowing them to get back in attacking position without one of the United defenders gaining the ball back as they kept hitting long balls. Both Gauld and Rankin on the attempts for goal. Walker was the only real chance for hearts. United were the stronger team with them having three or four corners in a row.
After Hearts second yellow was shown, Gauld and Rankin were again trying to get an easier lead for United. Also three corners in a goal. United were by far the better team after the second goal went in. Armstrong had a shot on goal before it got back to Mackay-Steven who would have a pop at goal as well.
Dundee United began to get their rhythm back and weren't letting Hearts have a shot on goal or even allowing them to get back in attacking position without one of the United defenders gaining the ball back as they kept hitting long balls. Both Gauld and Rankin on the attempts for goal. Walker was the only real chance for hearts. United were the stronger team with them having three or four corners in a row.
After Hearts second yellow was shown, Gauld and Rankin were again trying to get an easier lead for United. Also three corners in a goal. United were by far the better team after the second goal went in. Armstrong had a shot on goal before it got back to Mackay-Steven who would have a pop at goal as well.
Goal Three Dundee United (Gary Mackay-Steven, 84th minute): A cut back from Paton to Armstrong allows Armstrong to have a shot. Keeper MacDonald saves it but only manges to get it out as far Mackay-Steven who has time to re-position himself . Passes it back to Gauld. Who then passes it back to Mackay-Steven who is just inside the area and fires it into the top corner. Securing the points for United with 6 minutes of regulation time to go.
Not much game play happened during the last 5 minutes of the game. The only real thing to comment on would be a shot that was saved from Armstrong.
Not much game play happened during the last 5 minutes of the game. The only real thing to comment on would be a shot that was saved from Armstrong.
Photo;Young Souttar in action
Goal Four Dundee United (John Rankin, 91st minute): After many long range shots which were getting saved by MacDonald. A shot from outside the area, was deflected by a Hearts defender and the ball rolled into the net. Another four goals for United and three points defiantly secured now as we enter the last few seconds of stoppage time.
This was the last kick of the ball.
This was the last kick of the ball.
Full Time Dundee United 4 - 1 Hearts
Dundee United show Hearts what they can really do when they put their heart and soul into the game. The second half started off slow but it eventually managed to get into the second halves United fans have been experiencing over the past few weeks. Another 4 goals in the bad, along with 3 points and into third place. Now onto Rugby Park to play Kilmarnock on the 14th December, hopefully gain another 3 points.
Attendance: 7,808
My man of the match goes to Brian Graham because he has shown that he deserves to start, he brings height to the front and allows the rest of the team to send in high balls into the box. This is shown from his recent goals and even his near chances, that he is able to score goals with bullet headers, something we have missed since Daly moved away to Rangers in the summer. Brian is improving every week and hopefully there is more goals to come for him.
Photo;Rankin celebrating his goal
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