DUNDEE UNITED 3 - 1 HEARTS

09 February 2013

Another quick fire goal from Johnny Russell was followed up by strikes from Willo Flood and Michael Gardyne as United secured a thoroughly merited 3 points. Despite Michael Ngoo replying for Hearts at 2-0 the hosts never panicked and always looked likely to run out winners.

After a lightening quick start against Rangers, United were at it again this time although it took a whole 2 minutes for Johnny Russell to find the net. After bravely winning the ball on the left wing Russell made his way into the box. Mackay-Steven then fed in John Rankin who cut a dangerous ball back for Russell 8 yards out. United's top scorer turned and superbly fired home low to the left of visiting keeper MacDonald. Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas was forced off through injury after 17 minutes after an awkward landing as he challenged Russell in the air. Michael Ngoo then struck a shot off the bar in 20 minutes with a shot on the turn from outside the box which had beaten Cierzniak. Things then turned worse for Hearts as Ryan Stevenson slid in to challenge Mackay-Steven in midfield and went right through the United man. With ref William Collum close by he viewed the incident as worthy of a straight red card. Chances became few and far between but a United break in 41 minutes saw Daly feed in MacKay-Steven, but in the end the wingers shot was easily held by MacDonald.

The second half opened with United enjoying an overwhelming share of possession. It did take until the 55th minute to carve out an opening however as Daly tested MacDonald, Russell cut in from the right and delivered a teasing ball into the 6 yard box, which Daly touched towards goal at full stretch only for the Hearts keeper to parry out to safety. With Hearts sitting in and allowing United to keep possession it was going to take some great invention to break through and in the 63rd minute that moment arrived for the hosts. Russell, who had been probing away at the Hearts defence all afternoon, slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to Willo Flood. The midfielder stayed composed and rolled a clean finish past MacDonald to double the lead. Lapping up the acclaim from the home fans, Flood then stung the palms of MacDonald with a fierce long range shot before Ngoo struck the bar for a second time for Hearts. After Flood had slipped whilst waiting to take a pass from Gavin Gunning, the Hearts attacker was unlucky to see a curling right foot shot again beat Cierzniak only to come back off the woodwork. Despite this United appeared comfortable with their lead - that was until Hearts pulled a goal back in 76 minutes. The United defence failed to deal with a Mullen corner, and as the ball dropped to Ngoo 10 yards out he blasted into Cierzniak's left corner. There was no panic from the Tannadice side however and they continued to control possession. As a result of great play on the left from Rankin who set up Daly, the game was ended as a contest when the Irish striker presented sub Michael Gardyne with an opportunity barely 3 yards out. For the second time this season the former Ross County player netted and an excellent afternoon for the Tangerines was rounded off.

Full Time Summary: It was a thoroughly hard earned and deserved win for the hosts, who never really looked back after taking an early lead. Russell and Flood in particular gave Hearts plenty of problems and despite Hearts pulling a goal back late on the result was never in doubt.

Man of the Match: Willo Flood takes the award after rounding off another energetic and confident display with a fine goal. Possibly in the best form of his United career, his efforts today were greatly appreciated by the home faithful.

United: Cierzniak, Gunning (McLean 71), Dillon, Douglas, Watson, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven (Gardyne 76), Russell, Daly. Subs not used - Banks, Millar, Ryan, Dow, Souttar.

Hearts: MacDonald, Wilson, Webster, Stevenson, Walker (Robinson 66), Holt, Ngoo, Zaliukas (Barr 18), Tapping, Mullen, King (Sutton 66). Subs not used - Ridgers, Driver, Prychynenko, Novikovas.

Attendance - 6842

Referee - William Collum