UNITED WIN COST A PACKET!

By Dick Donnely, 27/09/2008

Scorers: DUNDEE UTD: Conway, Daly, Scott Robertson

HEARTS finally got their pay this week — but Csaba Laszlo’s men won’t be waiting round for a win bonus.

The crisis-hit Jambos found themselves on the end of a mauling from a home side finally finding their feet this season.

Craig Levein’s forecast had been one of promise at the start of the term, but his side have faltered in their efforts to find consistency.

But if this is anything to go by then the future is bright for the Tannadice men.

They were Inspired by a five-star performance from winger Craig Conway — the highlight of which was a stunning opener.

They made the going tough for their visitors from almost the first whistle.

Even the Hearts gaffer recognised the quality of United’s performance in racking up a second straight SPL victory.

Laszlo said: “United played well — well enough to offer us up an example for next week.”

Referring to the controversial week spent by the Hearts staff as they waited for their wages to land in the bank, he said: “You don’t think about money when you are out on the pitch.

“It it is simple, if you want to play the game, you play and do not think about cash.”

Hearts’ under-pressure keeper Marian Kello underlined the daunting task faced by his side against what was easily United’s top performance of the term to date.

He said, “It was a difficult afternoon for me and my team-mates. I cannot remember the last time I lost three goals in a game.”

To be honest it could have been much, much more as the home men turned on the style to record a third win in the space of a week.

Levein was thrilled at the win, saying, “After harping on about how difficult a start we have had to the season, I would have looked a bit silly had we not won.

“It wasn’t that we had been playing badly, but just that we hadn’t been getting what we deserved.

“However, getting back on to home turf, we had to make the most of that advantage.

“Thankfully the players gave it everything. As you saw, they rolled their sleeves up.”

Levein recalled that during the early days of his playing career he had been advised to do just that.

He said: “You had to earn the right to win football matches and that is what we did today with our attitude and application. Defensively we were solid again.

“Hearts only came into the game in the last five minutes when we dropped down to a training ground gear.”

Levein paid tribute to the valuable contributions made by Conway, Scott Robertson and Jon Daly.

The Arabs boss said: “Conway was fantastic and with him in the team Daly’s presence in the box is absolutely essential.”

The former Hartlepool striker’s wife gave birth to their first baby in midweek.

He admitted: “It’s been a long week. We were in the hospital for the best part of 30 hours while my wife was in labour before Sophie was born, but everything is OK now.”

Levein continues to be thrilled by the progress made by former Dundee midfielder Robertson.

He said, “Just about every game he has been excellent. I have chased him since he was 17. When I was Hearts I tried to get him and again after I moved to Leicester.

“Thankfully I have finally landed him. He is actually a better player than I thought he was.”

United’s afternoon got off to a bright start with Daly’s near-thing in five minutes, the marksman’s header from Conway’s corner clattering off the woodwork.

Then defender Sean Dillon ought to have eased his side in front when he took advantage of a Lee Wallace error to race clear on goal.

To Hearts’ relief goalkeeper Marian Kello raced from his line to block the shot.

And the handler was again his side’s saviour with a 24th-minute fingertip save to deny Scott Robertson.

It took Hearts 37 minutes to get an effort on target, but the United defence held firm. That gave them the confidence to race upfield and grab the lead — in sensational style.

Conway fired an unstoppable 30-yarder high into the Hearts net to stun the visitors.

And it could have been 2-0 to the hosts at the interval, Morgaro Gomis seeing his long-ranger deflect off the top of the bar to safety.

Hearts attempted to force their way into contention at the start of the second period. But their travelling fans were again stunned into silence when United added to their lead in 50 minutes.

The Tynecastle defence hesitated going for a Willo Flood cross and Jon Daly took advantage to control and then volley home from 15 yards.

And it really was all over for Hearts 11 minutes later when Scott Robertson rose 12 yards from goal to knock in a header from another Conway assist.

The visitors’ afternoon of disappointment was completed 15 minutes from the end when full back Eggert jonsson was red-carded for two cautions, with live wire Conway the victim yet again.

The game ended with Saulius Mikoliunas thumping an angled effort off the far post while star-man Conway lit up the finale with another powerful drive off the bar.

DUNDEE UTD: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Dixon, Flood (Swanson 90), Scott Robertson, Gomis, Conway, Daly, Sandaza (O'Donovan 59)

HEARTS: Kello, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas, Jonsson, Stewart (Palazuelos 68), Ksanavicius (Nade 53), Kingston, Mole (Tullberg 59)