Hearts 0 - 0 Dundee United: Frustration all round for riled Hearts

Published Date: 13 December 2009
By Paul Forsyth at Tannadice
EVERYBODY got it in the neck at Tynecastle yesterday: the referee for awarding Dundee United a penalty, Andy Webster for making his first return to Gorgie since leaving the club in 2006, and Laryea Kingston for having the cheek to sustain an injury when there were no substitutes left.

The Ghana international has upset them in the past with his penchant for putting country before club, but when Hearts' physio guided him to the dressing room with a few minutes left, the home support let it all come out. In their best industrial language, they told him where to go. Csaba Laszlo, who spent most of the afternoon protesting about the match official, later suggested that Kingston take a leaf out of Michael Stewart's book. "Mikey was also booed," said the manager. "His reaction was to show that he is part of this family. He rose. He took responsibility at Celtic Park a week later, and everyone applauded him."

Laszlo would not comment on the referee afterwards, but his displeasure was clear. The irony is that, if anyone was entitled to feel disappointed by this, it was Dundee United. Marian Kello blocked Danny Cadamarteri's penalty, which the referee was right to award, Nicky Weaver didn't have a save to make in the United goal, and the visitors wasted a decent chance to keep pace with Rangers ahead of the latter's trip to Tannadice on Tuesday.

Euan Norris, performing in front of the two managers who have had most to say about refereeing standards, made some mistakes, but nothing serious. Levein, to his credit, could see that. "You have to careful of questioning every decision," said the United manager. "The only time I speak out is if there are three or four major decisions wrong, but I thought he had a good game. That will do him the world of good. With all the stuff that's going on, refs have to stand up and be men, and he did that."

So did Webster during a game in which only United created chances. Hearts were willing enough, but lacked penetration, as well as several key players. With nine red cards between them in their last three matches, the effect of suspension hit both sides hard. Ismael Bouzid, Ian Black and Suso Santana were all missing from the home side, while Levein had to do without Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis. It prompted the United manager to play Sean Dillon in midfield for the second week in succession. The converted full-back carried on where he left off seven days earlier, protecting the back four and picking out passes when the opportunity arose. One purposeful stride from the centre circle demonstrated the range of his abilities, exchanged a one-two with Jon Daly on his right, and slipping a pass to Craig Conway on his left. The young midfielder ought to have done better than pull his shot into the side-net.

Scott Robertson, one of Levein's favourites, was also back in the midfield after a frustrating, injury-hit year. He almost celebrated his return with a goal, but his low left-foot shot was parried by the goalkeeper. The ball sprung loose in the six-yard box, but Kello did enough to flick it away from the advancing Jon Daly. The latter was a constant threat, hooking over from just outside the box, and hitting the post with a header at the front post. All hell would have broken loose had that one gone in. The cross came from a free-kick awarded after Jose Goncalves had been booked for diving down by the corner flag. Damien Casalinuovo thought it had been awarded to United.

So did Laszlo, who looked fit to burst on the touchline. He already was exasperated with the referee's performance, which had the Hearts fans dusting down their anti-SFA ditties. Apart from a shot poked wide by Kingston and a wayward header by Ruben Palazuelos, they had failed to make much of a territorial advantage, and the loss of several 50-50 decisions frustrated them.

Laszlo was trying to make the best of it. He raised one or two eyebrows with his decision to play Jamie Mole alone up front, as well as young Scott Robinson in the three behind, and when David Obua limped off with a first-half injury, Arvydas Novikovas found himself with more game time could have been anticipated. Having given Mole quite a lecture on his way down the tunnel at half-time, it was no surprise to see Laszlo replace the youngster with Christian Nade eight minutes after the break.

Levein made a change of his own, throwing on Danny Cadamarteri for Casalinuovo, the effect of which was rather more striking. The United forward approached the challenge like a man possessed, chasing every loose ball, and almost capitalising on a fumble by Kello. It was his burst into the box from wide on the left that prompted a wrestle with Eggert Jonsson, and a tumble that led Norris to award a penalty.

It was similar to the penalty claim by Calum Elliot that was rejected a week earlier. Stewart was furious (again), and was booked for protesting (again). Laszlo was no more restrained. When Cadamarteri's spot-kick was saved by Kello, the Hearts manager turned to the fourth official and pointed furiously at him. I don't know my Hungarian, but "get it up you" seemed like a reasonable translation. When asked if he would have put his house on Cadamarteri scoring, Levein replied: "No. I wouldn't have put my tent on it."

Taken from the Scotsman