Cadamarteri brace on debut punishes ten-man Hearts

Alan Pattullo at Tannadice
NEW season, same old Hearts. Csaba Laszlo's side exhibited a familiar failing last night when they yet again sabotaged their own chances of success after proving unable to finish a match with 11 men on the park. Dundee United took full advantage, although they had already established their superiority.
Given last season's tally of red cards, it was a depressing way for Hearts to welcome a new campaign. The identity of the culprit was extra reason to lament the return to the bad old ways. Michael Stewart was handed the captain's armband in the summe r following Robbie Neilson's departure, and included among his list of responsibilities was helping instil discipline in the ranks. However, Stewart was the one ordered to leave the park after a second booking for an avoidable late challenge on Scott Robertson in the middle of the park in the 52nd minute of a match Hearts were already struggling to get to grips with.

There was no way back for the visitors, with Laszlo's side already trailing by a goal from Danny Cadamarteri after just three minutes. Again, Hearts were the architects of their own downfall, following Eggert Jonsson's rash challenge on winger Danny Swanson. Cadamerteri converted the penalty, and the same player wrapped things up five minutes from the end with a fine finish from distance. There is much to occupy the thoughts of Laszlo as he boards a plane to Zagreb today ahead of Hearts' Europa League qualifying clash with Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday night.

Cadamarteri was quickly handed the opportunity to make a dream start to his competitive debut for United, and struck the ball to Marian Kello's right. It evaded the goalkeeper's clutches, if only just. Hearts were stung into a response, but failed to truly test Nicky Weaver, another making his debut for United. Indeed, it could have got a lot worse for the visitors after 18 minutes, when United were denied another penalty.

The lively Cadamarteri's sprint into the box looked to have been impeded by Ismael Bouzid, but Steve Conroy declined to give a second award to United. What had looked a dangerous attack subsequently petered out, although United continued to stretch the Hearts defence. Stewart was booked for a desperate lunge on Swanson.

United were clearly keen to avoid the dispiriting opening match of the last campaign, which saw them also feature in the Monday match. On that occasion they suffered a 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted Hamilton Accies. It left them deflated after a solid pre-season build-up, and a notable overhaul of playing staff.

United introduced three new faces last night, with one of them, former Tynecastle defender Andy Webster, drawing jeers from the away fans with every touch. David Witteveen might have equalised for Hearts after he stole in front of Webster in the 40th minute, but his unconvincing effort was blocked by Weaver. The goalkeeper distinguished himself more obviously with a save, down low to his right, from a David Obua shot just before half-time.

Christian Nade survived a heavy knock before half-time, and though clutching his stomach as he left the pitch returned after the interval.

He had also received some abuse from a Hearts fan for his troubles, and looked to want to return fire at one point as he scanned the stand. The incident echoed the time two seasons ago when Stewart was booked, and sent-off, for rowing with a Hearts supporter in the top deck of the Jerry Kerr stand. Stewart was soon to familiarise himself again with the sensation of being invited to take an early bath at Tannadice.

Frustration abounded for Hearts as they sought to find a foot-hold on the match. Their chances of doing this significantly receded early in the second half when Stewart was handed his second booking of the night for a heavy challenge on Robertson on the halfway line.

It was as unnecessary as it was potentially damaging to Hearts, with the visitors already struggling to match United with the full complement of men on the field. Now they were a player down. And not just any player, but their skipper. Stewart was furious with himself as he walked to the players' tunnel, Hearts' hopes of staging a recovery apparently doomed. They did, though, briefly rally, with Ian Black on for Witteveen. Suso Santana was up ended in the box by Mihael Kovacevic, but the referee was perhaps dissuaded from giving anything by the exaggerated nature of the dive. Santana himself was booked minutes later as another controversy erupted following a foul by Black on Swanson. A melee developed, with the United player booked for his part in the pushing and shoving. Santana got involved, stupidly in the circumstances.

United finally got the goal which sealed the outcome in the 85th minute. Prince Buaben put Cadamarteri through, and with Kello in no-man's land, the striker struck a well-aimed shot into the net from fully 30 yards.

Taken from the Scotsman