Fernandez gets boot from new manager

Dundee United 0 Hearts 3

IT IS unusual for someone to get the boot on their first day at work… but that is exactly what happened to new Dundee United midfielder David Fernandez.

Finishing on the wrong side of a 3-0 defeat from SPL leaders Hearts at Tannadice yesterday was bad enough for the Spaniard. However, he was also struck in the face by a shoe belonging to manager Gordon Chisholm.

Fernandez required three stitches in the wound, which he received after his boss kicked out in frustration in front of the dugout after referee Charlie Richmond had stopped play with United on the attack.

The boot flew off Chisholm’s foot and struck the player on the side of his chin, drawing comparisons with the infamous incident involving Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and David Beckham.

However, Fernandez, who eventually came off the bench to replace Stevie Crawford, saw the funny side.

“The gaffer hit me on the chin with his shoe while I was watching the game in the dugout,” he said, showing off the war wound. “That was some welcome and we had a few words afterwards!

“Seriously, though, I was just unlucky and it was an accident.”

Chisholm was understandably embarrassed, joking, “I hoped you guys wouldn’t find out about that!

“It was purely accidental and I apologised to the boy straight away.

“It was down to frustration on my part because some of the decisions today were strange, and David got the worst of it.”

Fernandez was more concerned about not making a winning start to his United career after joining the club on Friday.

“I was glad to get on to the park but I don’t know if really enjoyed it because we lost,” he admitted.

“I think we played quite well, actually, but losing two early goals meant it was difficult to get back into the game.

“We controlled the ball well and had chances but Hearts defended confidently.

“Still, 3-0 is a bit too much to lose by considering how we played,” added Fernandez, who thinks he could be just a week or two away from full fitness.

Chisholm also rued the early concessions, adding, “It was a terrible start for us. The biggest disappointment for me was losing two goals from set plays because our players were not picking up.

“The boys worked hard and played some good stuff but I just feel we must make sure we defend better and take some of our chances.

“I thought that towards the end we started to look tired and they had given everything.

“But we have to be positive and make sure we still have that belief. There are good players here who showed today that they can play despite the result.”

United came close to snatching a dramatic early lead when Barry Robson's shot from the edge of the box was punched away by keeper Craig Gordon.

But it was Hearts who made the breakthrough and they only had to wait until the sixth minute.

SAULIUS MIKOLIUNAS was fouled by United skipper Grant Brebner and, when the free-kick was flighted in by Rudie Skacel, up popped Steven Pressley to place a header inside the post.

Jim McIntyre tried to hit back immediately but could only nod wide after being found by Robson.

The Jam Tarts looked threatening and they grabbed a second with just 12 minutes on the clock. Brebner did not clear his lines after a corner and the ball was sent over the United defence by Julien Brellier. Czech star Bednar was quickest to react and he zipped his shot past Stillie.

It could have been three just moments later but the Tannadice keeper did well to palm away another Bednar effort.

United started to battle back and went on to dominate the rest of the half, without getting the goal they craved.

Lee Miller sent a shot over the bar, David McCracken should have done better when unmarked inside the box and McIntyre failed to convert a Mark Wilson cross when he looked certain to score.

United’s frustration spread to the dugout, where manager Chisholm got a telling-off from referee Richmond following the flying boot incident.

United kept pressing after the interval and keeper Gordon had to throw himself down to his bottom right-hand corner to keep out a well-placed header from Robson.

The hosts then found the net following the best move of the game—but unfortunately for them the ‘goal’ was chalked off.

After some neat inter-passing, the ball was played out wide to Mark Kerr, who delivered a low ball across and Miller, standing about a yard offside, tapped it over the line.

New boy Fernandez made his first appearance for United on 61 minutes, replacing Crawford, and the Tangerines went close again when McCracken rose highest only to have his header deflected inches past.

With the Tangerines feeling the effects of their UEFA Cup tie against MyPa-47 in Finland on Thursday night, Hearts rallied in the closing stages and substitute Lee Wallace came close twice, while Paul Hartley was denied by Stillie’s outstretched arm.

And the Jam Tarts put the icing on the cake in the final minute when Jamie McAllister fed Bednar, the Czech in turn squared to his compatriot Skacel, who blasted home.

The United defenders were furious that the farside assistant had first raised his flag then put it down after the ball hit the back of the net.

But that didn’t worry Hearts midfielder Hartley or manager George Burley as they celebrated going clear of the Old Firm.

“We were told at half-time that Rangers had lost, so we knew that if we held on to our advantage we would be back at the top of the league,” said Hartley.

“Celtic and Rangers are both there for the taking these days so we don’t fear anyone.”

Burley added, “The start has gone much better than I expected and we have now set ourselves very high standards.”

Attendance: 11,654.

Dundee Utd—Stillie, Wilson, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, Brebner, Miller, McIntyre, Robson, Duff, Crawford (Fernandez 61). Subs not used—Samson, McInnes, Dodds, Kenneth, Robertson, Cameron.

Hearts—Gordon, Neilson, Fyssas, Pressley, Webster, Skacel, Jankauskas (Pospicil 70), Hartley, Bednar, Mikoliunas (McAllister 46), Brellier (Wallace 62). Subs not used—Banks, Simmons, Cesnauskis, Berra

Referee—C Richmond.


Taken from the Courier