DUNDEE ..........0 HEARTS ...........1

Gavin Berry At Dens Park

CAPTAIN cool Steven Pressley slammed home the late spot-kick winner that got Hearts off to a flier. But it was new boy Ramon Perreira who stole the show with a sizzling display capped by winning the penalty that sealed victory.

Shrewd Jambos gaffer Craig Levein looks to have unearthed another gem in the Spanish flyer who was at the heart of every attack.

He was brought down by Dundee keeper Derek Soutar in 86 minutes as he raced through on goal and Pressley confidently blasted the ball home from the spot.

The three points were no more than Hearts deserved after dominating from start to finish, although they spurned several good chances.

With star striker Mark De Vries out injured they struggled up front and will be desperate to have the Dutchman back.

And on the evidence of Pereira's dazzling debut they could form a partnership to be reckoned with.

The fresh start a new campaign brings was welcomed by both clubs who were dogged by off-field problems throughout last season.

Dundee at least are over the worst of theirs after coming out of administration last week, although a resolution to Hearts' stadium dilemma still seems a long way off.

The afternoon started with a minute's silence for Gordon Smith, one of Hibs' 'Famous Five' forward line but also a league winner with both these clubs, who died on Friday.

There were three new faces on display for the fans who turned out on sun-kissed Tayside.

The home side handed debuts to John Sutton and Bobby Mann while the Jambos introduced Pereira.

And it was Levein's Spanish acquisition who created the first opening.

Pereira slipped the ball through to Graham Weir who only had Derek Soutar to beat but the keeper saved well.

After seven years of playing second fiddle to Rab Douglas and Julian Speroni at Dens Park he has been given a chance to stake a claim for a regular slot.

The early stop would have done his confidence no harm. It was a positive start from Hearts and they went close again in 14 minutes.

Joe Hamill brilliantly picked out Pereira with a fine cross and the Spaniard's volley came crashing back off the bar with Soutar beaten.

Patrick Kisnorbo was the first name in referee Craig Thomson's book for a foul on Jonay Hernandez and teammate Robbie Neilson soon followed after his challenge on Steven Robb.

The cautions came during rare attacks for the Dark Blues.

Hearts looked most likely to score and Pereira was their most potent threat.

The former Raith Rovers star had another chance just after the half-hour mark when Phil Stamp picked him out.

However, his shot on the turn sailed over the bar in what proved to be the last chance of the half.

Both managers resisted changes at the break and seconds after the re-start Dundee had their first shot on target when Craig Gordon saved Garry Brady's drive.

Pereira's performance in the first half must have impressed Levein, although he wouldn't have been too happy when the Spaniard picked up a booking in 52 minutes for wrestling Barry Smith to the ground.

It was the first sign that frustration might be creeping in for Hearts who had nothing to show for their first-half dominance.

Dundee sensed the mood had changed and there was a renewed optimism about their play. But they had a scare just before the hour mark.

Pereira was involved in every Hearts move and he sped away from Brent Sancho before cutting the ball back to Stamp on the edge of the box.

The Englishman thundered a shot goalwards but Soutar punched it away two-fisted to safety and Dundee again breathed a sigh of relief.

Alan Maybury was the next to try his luck with a swirling long-range effort that the keeper just managed to turn over the bar .

Dens boss Jim Duffy took off Neil Jablonski and replaced him with summer signing from Grimsby Iain Anderson who is in his second stint at the club.

Levein's first change was the introduction of Michael Stewart, on loan from Manchester United, for Stamp as the Jambos boss looked for the creativity to finally unlock the home defence.

But it was Hamill who provided the spark with a great through ball for Pereira to chase.

Soutar was forced to bring him down and although the Spaniard was looking for it there's no doubt it was a penalty.

Pressley stood up to be counted with a cool spot kick.

REFWATCH

CRAIG THOMSON had one major decision to make and called it correctly with his penalty award to Hearts, not that Dundee keeper Derek Soutar, who had brought down Ramon Pereira in the box, agreed. A good afternoon for the whistler. Rating: 7/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail