Dundee United 0-3 Heart of Midlothian

From Hearts Media at Tannadice.

Callum Paterson netted twice as Hearts returned to winning ways with an emphatic 3-0 win against Dundee United on Saturday afternoon, thereby securing their first win at Tannadice since 2009.

John McGlynn made two changes to the side that lost to St Mirren last weekend, with Dale Carrick replacing Andy Driver on the right flank. Scott Robinson, meanwhile, was given a chance to impress alongside Mehdi Taouil in central midfield, as Darren Barr dropped back into central defence in the absence of the injured Andy Webster.

It took fifteen minutes for the first shot on goal to arrive as a seemingly harmless effort by Johnny Russell was spilled by Jamie Macdonald, causing momentary panic before the keeper cleared the ball out for a corner.

The Jambos had to wait until the half-hour mark before they produced any sustained period of pressure, but their burst of attacking play proved deadly. Paterson, who was superb throughout, pounced on a rebound on the edge of the box and dispatched an unstoppable shot into the bottom right corner to put his side in front.

Two minutes later, Arvydas Novikovas added a second as he surged through the middle of the park before unleashing a stunning 30 yard strike into the top corner.

Macdonald was at full stretch on a couple of occasions at the tail end of the half, but the Jam Tarts held on for a comfortable half time lead.

Within three minutes of the restart, Macdonald's crossbar was rattling as Gavin Gunning's head connected with Flood's corner. The Arabs soon introduced Jon Daly, but just as a United onslaught seemed imminent, the Gorgie side put the game to bed.

Gunning 's pass back on the hour mark was played into the path of Ryan McGowan who forced a save from the onrushing keeper, enabling Paterson to slot the ball into the empty net.

McGlynn's side looked comfortable for the remainder of the game, yet could have added to their tally when substitute John Sutton swept Driver's cross wide from just five yards out.

Marius Zaliukas and McGowan both went close in the dying minutes, but in the end the Jambos were more than happy to settle for a resounding 3-0 win, ending a six game winless streak against Peter Houston's men.

Dundee United: Cierzniak; Dillon, Gunning, McLean, Watson; Flood, Rankin, Dow (Gauld 58), Armstrong; Gardyne (Daly 58), Russell. Subs not used: Banks, Ryan, Millar, Vignal, Hilson.

Hearts: Macdonald; R.McGowan, Barr, Zaliukas, Grainger; Carrick (Driver 74), Robinson, Taouil (D.McGowan 83), Novikovas, Stevenson; Paterson (Sutton 79). Subs not used: Enckelman,G.Smith, McHattie, Tapping.

Referee: Alan Muir

Top man: Calum Paterson

Hearts World