Hearts get lost in the haar

The victory allowed United to usurp Kilmarnock by moving into fourth place in the SPL. Hearts still sit 12 points better off in third and, even allowing for the recent downturn, only a monumental collapse will see them displaced. The concern is that they seem to have lost much of their cutting edge. They seldom looked like scoring even against a makeshift Dundee United defence including striker Jon Daly at centre-back. In that regard, this game mirrored Hearts' previous two fixtures against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

Delivery of the ball from back to front was too often long and hopeful rather than intricate and exciting as it had been earlier in the season. Kevin Kyle remains conspicuous by his absence given the lack of similarly-styled forwards available to Jefferies. Stephen Elliott, whilst industrious and a clinical finisher, is not suited to the lone striking role Kyle occupies, and certainly not when asked to deal with balls fired at him from behind. For 83 minutes there was little to separate these teams but Hearts' lack of guile in attack meant scoring opportunities were at a premium. Once United scored there was only ever going to be one outcome.

"It was a game that looked like it had 0-0 written all over it," said Jefferies. "Plenty effort and commitment from both teams but not many chances created. It was a tough tussle but we are disappointed because we shot ourselves in the foot at a routine free-kick for the first goal.

"The positioning of the players was great, they didn't sit deep and came out to the edge of the box but you've got to deal with it. At that stage of the game you've got to make sure everybody's picked up and that you give no free headers.

"Unfortunately for us it's one of the smallest men in their team who punished us. He shouldn't be getting a free header there. The second goal was immaterial because we were pushing forward. At that stage I think it was going to go their way at 1-0 anyway.

"We were all right in some patches up until the last third but we didn't really create. I don't think Dusan Pernis has had a save to make. Neither did Marian Kello in the second half either. They are always dangerous at corners and free-kicks but we defended them well. And after doing all that, the one time we didn't defend well we were punished for it."

The game enjoyed an energetic opening. Kello prevented a Marius Zaliukas own goal as the ball ricocheted around the Hearts penalty area on seven minutes, and certainly United's pace in the final third was potentially troublesome to the visitors. Ryan Stevenson, operating in a deep-lying forward role, saw a left-footed attempt held comfortably by Pernis as the opening exchanges gave way to some tetchiness midway through the opening period.

Jefferies earned a lecture from referee Iain Brines on 24 minutes after Ismael Bouzid was cautioned for what appeared a perfectly legitimate tackle on United's Barry Douglas. Stevenson then intelligently flicked a wayward Lee Wallace pass into David Templeton's path for a shot which trundled harmlessly wide of goal.

United were denied a breakthrough only by Kello's fingertips in the 33rd minute. David Goodwillie outpaced Zaliukas to deliver a ferocious drive which the Slovakian diverted for a corner. Moments later, after a dribbling run from Templeton, Elliott angled a left-footed shot past Pernis' right-hand post. The Irishman struggled to exert an influence as Hearts relied too frequently on long balls from defence, Bouzid being a regular culprit in an unfamiliar right-back role.

For all that the Algerian internationalist's booking was unfair, he was fortunate to escape a second caution for scything down Douglas seven minutes after the restart. He was promptly substituted. Stevenson swung his foot at Craig Thomson's right-sided cross with no marker in attendance but was unable to properly angle the ball towards the United goal.

"That was the best chance of the second half," said Jefferies. "Stevenson found himself free in the box when the cross came in but he just caught it too square. That's one you want to get a little glance on it and hopefully it nestles in the corner."

Hearts continued conceding possession all too readily from defence. But, when they did distribute properly, Templeton became more influential against opponents who played three games in six days last week. On 63 minutes the winger collected the ball and ran at full-back Keith Watson. As David Robertson approached he jinked expertly in between both opponents and then past Morgaro Gomis before falling under pressure from the recovering Watson.

Referee Brines ignored claims for a penalty.

"I've seen them given but I'd need to have a look again," said Jefferies. "Maybe the boy has had too much strength for him but it was a difficult one to judge."

Hearts enjoyed spells when United wer
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e pinned inside their own half during the second period, however carving the hosts open was another matter. Kello had to stop efforts from David Robertson and Goodwillie and the controversial United striker then earned a booking for flooring Ian Black off the ball, an offence which in itself might have warranted a red card given that Goodwillie appeared to throw an arm out at the Hearts midfielder.

Just when it looked like the visitors had secured themselves a worthwhile point, Russell struck. Substitute Danny Swanson's angled free-kick from the right was met by the forward's head with visiting players slow to react. The header looped over Kello and into the open net. In stoppage time, Russell sealed victory for United by converting from close range after Goodwillie touched Paul Dixon's cross into his path.

After a relentless schedule of matches, Dundee United manager Peter Houston acclaimed his players' stamina levels. "The SFA were doing a drugs test after the game but I think they should check all our boys," he joked. "Where do they get the energy from? I can't praise them enough for the second-half performance. It was two fantastic goals from Johnny Russell. We've just signed him on a new contract and that's why."

Houston maintained that the 12-point difference between United and Hearts is insurmountable. "I wouldn't even think about catching Hearts," said the manager. "I couldn't tell you how many points they are above us. I don't think anyone can catch them, they are too far in front and have too good a squad. I have a lot of admiration for Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown. Hearts are a right good side and are deservedly up there. They are the best of the rest, there's no doubt about that.

"I don't know if they'll split the Old Firm but they will win a lot of games between now and the end of the season. Their points tally over the last 20 games has been as good as the Old Firm.

"I'm more than happy with what we got. The biggest thing pleasing me is that we've started March with four victories. We had drawn a lot of games and I said to the players we needed to turn them into three pointers. They've gone and done that and where they get the reserves of energy from I don't know."

Taken from the Scotsman