Tireless work continues for United

dave quinn at tannadice

17 Mar 2011

SLOWLY but surely, Dundee United are getting there.

A spate of postponements has left them playing catch-up for what seems like an eternity, but this victory took them above Kilmarnock to the lofty heights of fourth position.

Hearts, sitting in a comfort zone in third place, remain a dot on the horizon but Peter Houston's side can cut the gap between them to nine points should they win their game in hand. If they do so, and with the Tynecastle side likely to have to visit Dundee again after the split, the race for the guaranteed Europa League spot would reignite.

In truth, it will take a heroic effort from United but they have demonstrated their aptitude for hard work of late. This was their fourth game in 10 days and, despite operating with a depleted pool, they have won three and drawn one. United's winning run in the league has also been extended to four games.

It all came courtesy of a late double from Johnny Russell. Not the tallest of forwards, it was somewhat perplexing to see him rise highest in the midst of Hearts' giant backline to loop a header over the stranded Marian Kello for the opener. His injury-time tap-in clinched a potentially pivotal win.

"The SFA are in doing a drugs test but they should test all the boys because I don't know where they get their energy from," joked Houston. "It was another fantastic performance. I'm not thinking about catching Hearts. I don't even know how far ahead they are and I don't know if we are capable of closing the gap. Hearts have been the best of the rest and might split the Old Firm."

David Goodwillie livened up the game after a flaccid opening when he raised two hands to Andy Webster after a heavy challenge from the Hearts defender. Referee Iain Brines delivered a long lecture, but issued no card.

The official was not so lenient when Ismael Bouzid bulldozed through Barry Douglas to earn a yellow card. Jim Jefferies was involved in a heated exchange with Brines following the incident but he could have no complaints. Douglas got revenge with a late tackle that also brought a caution.

United were the more fluid attacking unit. Goodwillie's touch and movement was exceptional and he always looked a threat. Racing on to a Douglas flick, his venomous 18-yard volley forced an acrobatic save from Kello.

Templeton could rival Goodwillie for the young player of the year awards come May, yet had a quiet first half. His only trademark mazy run came in the closing stages when he created a yard of space for Stephen Elliott, whose shot crept wide.

Bouzid should have taken the long walk seven minutes into the second half after a stupid lunge on Douglas. Brines pondered the situation before letting him off. Bouzid was then wisely withdrawn by his manager.

Templeton's dancing feet finally illuminated a bleak spell as the winger slalomed past three challenges before being grounded in the box by Keith Watson's challenge. Brines rightly ignored pleas for a penalty but Hearts were still complaining when Stevenson passed up a glaring chance with a poor header from six yards.

Danny Swanson was introduced for the closing quarter, yet Goodwillie continued to carry the biggest threat. Jinking in from the left, he rifled a low shot towards the near post. Kello, immaculate again for the visitors, turned it wide.

Goodwillie's frustration boiled over in 80 minutes as he lashed out an arm at Ian Black, again in front of Brines. The Hearts fans demanded a red card, but the referee felt a yellow would suffice.

The visitors seemed content with the point but United were rewarded for their probing with two late goals. Lee Wallace dumped Russell on his backside and then watched helplessly as he connected with Swanson's wonderful delivery. Russell's task was somewhat simpler in stoppage-time when he converted Paul Dixon's cross from close range.

"It had 0-0 written all over it but we shot ourselves in the foot by failing to defend a routine free-kick and one of the smallest men on the pitch punished us," said Jefferies.

Taken from the Herald