DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
Hearts and United served up an entertaining Sunday afternoon of football on a mild day in the capital that was as good an advert for the SPL - and its earlier summer start - as you'll find.
Jon Daly was United's hero, with a powerful header only eight minutes from half time proving the difference between two clubs that were only separated by two points in their duel for third place last season.
Manager Peter Houston brought in young midfielder Scott Allan who impressed on loan at Forfar last season for his SPL debut in place of fellow youngster Stuart Armstrong. There was also a place for Scott Severin in the holding role as United lined up in a 4-1-3-2, with Garry Kenneth also returning from injury. David Goodwillie dropped out of the squad altogether as he finalises a much talked about move away from the club, while Barry Douglas dropped onto the bench.
United started brightly and could have been ahead within the first two minutes when Johnny Russell found Jon Daly on the edge of the penalty box. The Irishman shielded the ball well before teeing up with John Rankin, whose effort on the stretch went just over the bar.
Hearts were looking threatening in the early stages, especially from the wide areas. Their third corner of the game nearly swung into United's net, but Paul Dixon did well to head off the line. The home side attacked again and an unconventional back-heeled effort from Stephen Elliot went just past the post.
The aerial bombardment of the United goal continued and a long throw from the right almost found its way into the net, only for Pernis to reach out a hand to save. A Hearts goal would have outraged the United fans though as Pernis appeared to have maroon-shirted arms all over him as he attempted to deal with it.
There was controversy in the 15th minute as Rankin went down under a heavy challenge that United players were adamant was in the box. The resultant free kick was battered against Marian Kello's crossbar by Rankin.
Scott Allan was impressing on his first start for the Club and did well to burst clear in the 19th minute, only for his cross to not make it as far as the onrushing Johnny Russell.
Hearts came close twice in quick succession in the 22nd minute, and yet again the threat came from out wide. The first attempt came when Elliott met a Danny Grainger cross but Pernis parried away. Then another Grainger cross couldn't quite be met by Sutton.
There was more controversy on the half hour as a Rankin through ball found Russell in acres of space with a clear run on ball. He had time to look across to see if the linesman's flag was up, which it wasn't. But as he raced clear on goal the flag was belatedly raised, to Russell's dismay.
With eight minutes to go until half time, some concerted pressure led to United grabbing the lead. First, a perfect cross from Paul Dixon picked out Jon Daly who brilliantly volleyed what seemed a certain goal, only for Kello to superbly tip over the bar. The big Irishman wasn't to be denied for long, though, as he rose unmarked in the Hearts box to meet Willo Flood's corner with a textbook header that gave Kello no chance.
Hearts came close to a quick equaliser when a ball into the box found Stephen Elliot in the clear with his back to goal. His first touch was excellent to spin round but he failed to keep his composure and fired wide.
HALF TIME: Hearts 0 United 1
An entertaining first half with United bossing the centre of the midfield, while Hearts' threat came from the wide areas. Particularly impressive was Scott Allan, who showed on his league debut that he can offer United something different going forward.
United initially started the second half more cautiously, with Johnny Russell dropping back to the left wing in a 4-5-1 formation. Ten minutes into the half Grainger, who had been aggrieved at Flood avoiding a booking for a challenge on him minutes earlier, was brought down right on the edge of the box by the Irishman, who picked up a booking. Templeton's free kick dipped over Pernis' crossbar. Hearts continued to press and came close on two occasions with dangerous crosses into the United area.
But United soon regained their composure as the game neared the hour mark and Jon Daly found himself in acres of space again from a Flood corner but couldn't quite get on the end of the cross. Hearts couldn't clear their lines and Allan showed good composure on the ball before a side-footed attempt was well held by Kello.
Minutes later, a good ball into the box by Flood found Kenneth and his header was held by Kello. United continued to attack and Dixon kicked in a cross that very nearly fell at the feet of Daly. Hearts were really under the kosh and the home fans were getting on their backs as United attacked again, with Russell spinning away from his man on the edge of the box before driving in an effort that went just past the post.
Midway through the second half, Templeton controlled well on the edge of the box, turned and fired in an effort that Pernis did well to parry away for a corner. The arrival of Rudi Skacel with 20 minutes to go rallied the Hearts fans and he came close minutes later with a long-range drive that went just past.
Hearts pressed for the remainder of the game but United held firm and a disciplined performance restricted the number of chances for the home side. One dangerous cross by substitute Novikovas had to be turned behind by Dixon under pressure, then Grainger's corner couldn't quite find Zaliukas.
As the game entered four minutes of stoppage time Hearts nearly levelled in bizarre circumstances, when Skacel mis-hit a shot that spun wickedly off Stevenson and only just past the post.
A dramatic climax to the game saw Kello go up for a free kick on the left side of the box. He managed to get his head to the cross but couldn't divert it goalwards as United bravely held on to the lead to claim three well-earned points.
FULL TIME: Hearts 0 United 1
A disciplined display by United that will really encourage Peter Houston this early in the season. Despite not having last year's top goalscorer David Goodwillie, there was still a real goal threat from Jon Daly, Johnny Russell and midfielders John Rankin and Scott Allan.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Willo Flood: There was no shortage of candidates in the United team, but new signing Willo Flood looked as good as United fans were used to during his first spell at the Club. Determined, tenacious and creative, Flood rarely wastes possession and doesn't know what a lost cause is.
HEARTS (4-4-2): Kello, McGowan, Grainger, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Mrowiec (Skacel, 70), Black, Templeton, Obua, Sutton (Stevenson, 76), Elliott (Novikovas, 70)
Subs not used: Macdonald, Barr, Stevenson, Smith, Robinson
UNITED (4-1-3-2): Pernis, Watson, Dixon, Kenneth, Dillon, Severin (Robertson, 76), Allan (Douglas, 82), Rankin, Flood, Russell, Daly
Subs: Banks, Robertson, Douglas, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Dow, Hilson
Attendance: 13,821
Jon Daly was United's hero, with a powerful header only eight minutes from half time proving the difference between two clubs that were only separated by two points in their duel for third place last season.
Manager Peter Houston brought in young midfielder Scott Allan who impressed on loan at Forfar last season for his SPL debut in place of fellow youngster Stuart Armstrong. There was also a place for Scott Severin in the holding role as United lined up in a 4-1-3-2, with Garry Kenneth also returning from injury. David Goodwillie dropped out of the squad altogether as he finalises a much talked about move away from the club, while Barry Douglas dropped onto the bench.
United started brightly and could have been ahead within the first two minutes when Johnny Russell found Jon Daly on the edge of the penalty box. The Irishman shielded the ball well before teeing up with John Rankin, whose effort on the stretch went just over the bar.
Hearts were looking threatening in the early stages, especially from the wide areas. Their third corner of the game nearly swung into United's net, but Paul Dixon did well to head off the line. The home side attacked again and an unconventional back-heeled effort from Stephen Elliot went just past the post.
The aerial bombardment of the United goal continued and a long throw from the right almost found its way into the net, only for Pernis to reach out a hand to save. A Hearts goal would have outraged the United fans though as Pernis appeared to have maroon-shirted arms all over him as he attempted to deal with it.
There was controversy in the 15th minute as Rankin went down under a heavy challenge that United players were adamant was in the box. The resultant free kick was battered against Marian Kello's crossbar by Rankin.
Scott Allan was impressing on his first start for the Club and did well to burst clear in the 19th minute, only for his cross to not make it as far as the onrushing Johnny Russell.
Hearts came close twice in quick succession in the 22nd minute, and yet again the threat came from out wide. The first attempt came when Elliott met a Danny Grainger cross but Pernis parried away. Then another Grainger cross couldn't quite be met by Sutton.
There was more controversy on the half hour as a Rankin through ball found Russell in acres of space with a clear run on ball. He had time to look across to see if the linesman's flag was up, which it wasn't. But as he raced clear on goal the flag was belatedly raised, to Russell's dismay.
With eight minutes to go until half time, some concerted pressure led to United grabbing the lead. First, a perfect cross from Paul Dixon picked out Jon Daly who brilliantly volleyed what seemed a certain goal, only for Kello to superbly tip over the bar. The big Irishman wasn't to be denied for long, though, as he rose unmarked in the Hearts box to meet Willo Flood's corner with a textbook header that gave Kello no chance.
Hearts came close to a quick equaliser when a ball into the box found Stephen Elliot in the clear with his back to goal. His first touch was excellent to spin round but he failed to keep his composure and fired wide.
HALF TIME: Hearts 0 United 1
An entertaining first half with United bossing the centre of the midfield, while Hearts' threat came from the wide areas. Particularly impressive was Scott Allan, who showed on his league debut that he can offer United something different going forward.
United initially started the second half more cautiously, with Johnny Russell dropping back to the left wing in a 4-5-1 formation. Ten minutes into the half Grainger, who had been aggrieved at Flood avoiding a booking for a challenge on him minutes earlier, was brought down right on the edge of the box by the Irishman, who picked up a booking. Templeton's free kick dipped over Pernis' crossbar. Hearts continued to press and came close on two occasions with dangerous crosses into the United area.
But United soon regained their composure as the game neared the hour mark and Jon Daly found himself in acres of space again from a Flood corner but couldn't quite get on the end of the cross. Hearts couldn't clear their lines and Allan showed good composure on the ball before a side-footed attempt was well held by Kello.
Minutes later, a good ball into the box by Flood found Kenneth and his header was held by Kello. United continued to attack and Dixon kicked in a cross that very nearly fell at the feet of Daly. Hearts were really under the kosh and the home fans were getting on their backs as United attacked again, with Russell spinning away from his man on the edge of the box before driving in an effort that went just past the post.
Midway through the second half, Templeton controlled well on the edge of the box, turned and fired in an effort that Pernis did well to parry away for a corner. The arrival of Rudi Skacel with 20 minutes to go rallied the Hearts fans and he came close minutes later with a long-range drive that went just past.
Hearts pressed for the remainder of the game but United held firm and a disciplined performance restricted the number of chances for the home side. One dangerous cross by substitute Novikovas had to be turned behind by Dixon under pressure, then Grainger's corner couldn't quite find Zaliukas.
As the game entered four minutes of stoppage time Hearts nearly levelled in bizarre circumstances, when Skacel mis-hit a shot that spun wickedly off Stevenson and only just past the post.
A dramatic climax to the game saw Kello go up for a free kick on the left side of the box. He managed to get his head to the cross but couldn't divert it goalwards as United bravely held on to the lead to claim three well-earned points.
FULL TIME: Hearts 0 United 1
A disciplined display by United that will really encourage Peter Houston this early in the season. Despite not having last year's top goalscorer David Goodwillie, there was still a real goal threat from Jon Daly, Johnny Russell and midfielders John Rankin and Scott Allan.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Willo Flood: There was no shortage of candidates in the United team, but new signing Willo Flood looked as good as United fans were used to during his first spell at the Club. Determined, tenacious and creative, Flood rarely wastes possession and doesn't know what a lost cause is.
HEARTS (4-4-2): Kello, McGowan, Grainger, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Mrowiec (Skacel, 70), Black, Templeton, Obua, Sutton (Stevenson, 76), Elliott (Novikovas, 70)
Subs not used: Macdonald, Barr, Stevenson, Smith, Robinson
UNITED (4-1-3-2): Pernis, Watson, Dixon, Kenneth, Dillon, Severin (Robertson, 76), Allan (Douglas, 82), Rankin, Flood, Russell, Daly
Subs: Banks, Robertson, Douglas, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Dow, Hilson
Attendance: 13,821
