Dundee Utd 2 Hearts 1

By Robert Thomson, PA Sport

Goals from Alan Archibald and Derek McInnes were enough to give Dundee United their first home league win of the season - and their first victory over Hearts at Tannadice for six years.

Archibald struck after only 12 minutes and United looked to be cruising at the interval when McInnes popped up in the 44th minute to give them a two-goal advantage.

However, a wonderful volley from Scott Severin straight after the interval halved the deficit and set up a nervous second 45 minutes for the home side.

Craig Levein made three changes to the team that lost 2-0 against Bordeaux, replacing Jean Louis Valois, Paul Hartley and Phil Stamp with Stephen Simmons, Andy Kirk and Scott Severin.

United, meanwhile, were looking to get back on track after a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Celtic last weekend and made two changes, dropping Craig Easton and Barry Robson for Jim Paterson and Mark Kerr.

The long-suffering Tannadice fans were given something to cheer early on as United took the lead in the 12th minute through the most unlikeliest of sources, defender Archibald.

The former Partick Thistle man was on the end of a well-worked corner between Paterson and Andy McLaren.

Gathering possession on the edge of 18-yard box, Archibald looked up and, spotting that Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon was positioned too close to his near post, sent a curling shot through a ruck of players into the far corner of the net.

Hearts, whose early energy dispelled any notions of a European hangover, almost restored parity minutes later but were thwarted by Scotland Under-21 defender David McCracken.

In-form Irish striker Andy Kirk raced through on goal to gather an intelligent flick from Mark de Vries and sent the ball rolling past Paul Gallacher, who had rushed off his line, towards the empty net.

The ball began to lose momentum the closer it got to the goal, but still had enough weight behind it to take it over the line - until McCracken raced back and launched himself at full stretch to clear.

Hearts continued to press and deserved an equaliser minutes later when Kirk pounced to head an Alan Maybury cross from the left.

Kirk sent a bullet header on target from six yards, but Gallacher produced a wonderful one-handed reflex save to send the ball over the bar.

Hearts had looked like gaining momentum at this stage, but United, to their credit, managed to raise their game and eventually took a two-goal lead in at the interval.

Paterson, whose good work on the left led to the opening goal, once again broke down the flank and sent a dangerous ball into the area.

It zipped through the six-yard box towards the back post and ended up at the feet of McInnes, who simply steadied himself and sent a low shot past Gordon.

Hearts tried gamely to salvage something before the interval, but once again found Gallacher in fine form as he beat away a close range De Vries effort.

They did find the net, however, and within a minute of the restart Scotland international Severin was on the scoresheet.

McCracken rose to head clear a Maybury corner but could only get the ball out as far as Severin, who was standing on the edge of the area.

The midfielder watched the ball intently as it dropped and caught it sweetly on the volley, sending his effort straight into the bottom left corner of Gallacher's goal.

Scoring gave Hearts new impetus and manager Craig Levein made a tactical substitution, replacing Simmons with striker Dennis Wyness.

Paterson, who had a hand in both United's goals, had to leave the field after sustaining a head knock and was replaced by Stuart Duff.

McLaren, who was awarded an 18-month contract on Friday after a series of mature performances for United, showed the ugly side of his character and eventually had to be substituted.

First he launched a tirade against the near side linesman and was cautioned by referee Alan Freeland, then continued to mouth off at the official over the next five minutes until McCall decided he was in danger of being sent off and replaced him with Collin Samuel.

In the closing stages, Canadian defender Kevin McKenna, who was taken by surprise that the ball reached him after being kicked back and forth in the penalty area, smacked the woodwork from six-yards.

Hearts continued to pile forward but the home side held firm and earned three points in front of their own fans for the first time since March.

Teams

Dundee Utd Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken, Innes, Archibald, McLaren (Samuel 75), Kerr, McInnes, James Paterson (Duff 56), Dodds, McIntyre.

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Miller, Easton.

Booked: Wilson, McLaren, Kerr.

Goals: Archibald 12, McInnes 44.

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, McKenna, Webster, Maybury, MacFarlane (Berra 83), Severin, Kisnorbo (Valois 78), Simmons (Wyness 50), de Vries, Kirk.

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, McCann.

Booked: Severin, Webster, Kirk.

Goals: Severin 47.

Att: 6,343

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com