Dundee Utd 3-1 Heart of Midlothian

Dundee United's resurgence under new manager Jackie McNamara continued as they saw off 10-man Hearts at Tannadice to make it back-to-back victories.

The Tangerines got off to a flying start through Johnny Russell's second-minute opener before John McGlynn's visitors had Ryan Stevenson sent off for a foul on Gary Mackay-Steven midway through the first half.

Willo Flood made it 2-0 for McNamara's side on 62 minutes only for Michael Ngoo to pull one back for the Jambos in the 76th.

Despite their best efforts to force a late equaliser it was the revitalised hosts who ran out winners, with substitute Michael Gardyne sealing matters in the final minute.

United had been buoyed last week by their first win at on home soil since way back in August when they defeated Rangers in the Scottish Cup to set up a quarter-final tie with city rivals Dundee next month.

The Tangerines got off to a whirlwind start when they scored after just 15 seconds in last Saturday's cup tie.

And they did not have long to wait on their return to Clydesdale Bank Premier League action before breaking the deadlock against a stunned Hearts side.

The move began with Mackay-Steven releasing the onrushing John Rankin down the left.

Rankin's cross was met by Russell, who took the ball off the toe of team-mate Stuart Armstrong before swivelling and finishing with his right foot low into Jamie MacDonald's right-hand corner from eight yards.

It meant Russell, who scored twice against Rangers last week, continued his purple patch as he took his tally to seventeen goals for the season.

Hearts suffered a blow in the 19th minute when skipper Marius Zaliukas was forced to go off injured after clashing with Russell and then appearing to land awkwardly on his ankle.

A minute later, though, they brought out a fine save from United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak in their first real attack of the game.

Defender Danny Wilson fed fellow on-loan Liverpool player Ngoo, who wasted no time in firing in a 22-yard shot which Cierzniak did well to fist to safety.

But on 25 minutes Stevenson was sent off for a challenge on Mackay-Steven. The Hearts midfielder appeared to go in on high on the United winger and referee Willie Collum showed no hesitation in producing a straight red card despite Heart's bitter protests.

United set about trying to make the most of their extra man but Hearts held on to get in at half-time just 1-0 down.

The second half was a flat affair until the 56th minute, when Russell found space to whip a dangerous cross into the box.

Skipper Jon Daly threw himself at it to get a touch but visiting keeper MacDonald dived smartly to deny him by parrying the ball away.

But in the 62nd minute the hosts extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to Flood.

A slick one-two involving Russell and Flood saw the former Celtic midfielder steady himself before slotting a perfect left-foot finish past the helpless MacDonald.

Flood was then booked for his celebration but by then it was clear the points were staying on Tayside.

A few minutes later, Hearts came close at the other end when Gavin Gunning's mistake allowed Ngoo to gain possession and his raking 20-yard drive came crashing back off Cierzniak's bar.

In the 76th minute, Hearts gave themselves some hope when United failed to clear Fraser Mullen's corner and Ngoo pounce to drive a shot home from 12 yards.

But any hopes they had of a comeback ended in the 89th minute when Rankin released Daly, who cut the ball back for substitute Gardyne to finish from point-blank range.

The referee signals the end of the game.

Michael Gardyne fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box high into the middle of the goal. Dundee Utd 3-1 Hearts.Jon Daly provided the assist for the goal.
88

A cross is delivered by Willo Flood, Fraser Mullen manages to make a clearance.
88

Corner taken by Willo Flood, save by Jamie MacDonald.
80

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Barry Douglas.
80

(Dundee Utd) makes a substitution, with Michael Gardyne coming on for Gary Mackay-Steven.
76

Michael Ngoo gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 2-1 Hearts.
75

Outswinging corner taken by Fraser Mullen from the right by-line.
74

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Fraser Mullen, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
72

Scott Robinson takes a shot. Blocked by Johnny Russell.
71

Brian McLean is brought on as a substitute for Gavin Gunning.
71

Andy Webster concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Mackay-Steven. Andy Webster receives a caution. Free kick crossed by Barry Douglas, clearance by Callum Tapping.
69

Shot from 18 yards by Michael Ngoo.
68

Jamie Walker goes off and Scott Robinson comes on. Billy King goes off and John Sutton comes on.
66

Shot from 30 yards by Willo Flood. Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
66

Darren Barr gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jon Daly. Danny Wilson receives a yellow card. Gavin Gunning restarts play with the free kick.
64

Willo Flood receives a caution.
62

Willo Flood scores a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 2-0 Hearts.Johnny Russell provided the assist for the goal.
61

Gary Mackay-Steven fouled by Fraser Mullen, the ref awards a free kick. Barry Douglas restarts play with the free kick.
59

Barry Douglas concedes a free kick for a foul on Billy King. Free kick crossed by Fraser Mullen, Gavin Gunning makes a clearance.
54

Willo Flood decides to take a short corner.
52

Gary Mackay-Steven crosses the ball, Andy Webster makes a clearance.
51

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
49

Danny Wilson challenges Keith Watson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gary Mackay-Steven delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel.
46

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

The players leave the pitch at half time.

Johnny Russell concedes a free kick for a foul on Darren Barr. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
46

Jon Daly is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Andy Webster.
44

Gary Mackay-Steven takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jamie MacDonald.
41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Billy King on Johnny Russell. Barry Douglas takes the direct free kick.
35

Shot by Johnny Russell from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
33

Foul by Jamie Walker on Johnny Russell, free kick awarded. Willo Flood restarts play with the free kick.
31

Jason Holt takes a shot and missed to the right of the target.
30

Stuart Armstrong has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the goal.
29

Stuart Armstrong concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Walker. Free kick taken by Callum Tapping.
28

Fraser Mullen challenges Gary Mackay-Steven unfairly and gives away a free kick. Booking for Fraser Mullen. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Willo Flood from right channel, Callum Tapping makes a clearance.
26

Andy Webster fouled by Jon Daly, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
25

Unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven by Ryan Stevenson results in a free kick. Ryan Stevenson dismissed for serious foul play. Sean Dillon takes the direct free kick.
24

Fraser Mullen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven. Willo Flood delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing.
22

Stuart Armstrong fouled by Michael Ngoo, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stuart Armstrong.
21

Michael Ngoo has a drilled shot.
18

Johnny Russell challenges Marius Zaliukas unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Barr joins the action as a substitute, replacing Marius Zaliukas. Direct free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
15

Handball by Willo Flood. Callum Tapping takes the direct free kick.
12

Danny Wilson crosses the ball, Sean Dillon makes a clearance.
12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Johnny Russell. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
9

Marius Zaliukas takes a shot. Save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
8

Corner taken right-footed by Fraser Mullen.
8

Centre by Ryan Stevenson, Gavin Gunning manages to make a clearance.
7

Correction - Goal scored by Johnny Russell from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 1-0 Hearts.Assist by John Rankin.
1

Johnny Russell fires in a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 1-0 Hearts.The assist for the goal came from Gary Mackay-Steven.
1

Jason Holt concedes a free kick for a foul on Stuart Armstrong. Gavin Gunning restarts play with the free kick.

The match gets underway.

Taken from sportinglife.com