DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | MOTHERWELL (H)
31st October 2024
The Terrors were looking to bounce back quickly from Wednesday's loss against Livingston, as Hearts travelled to Tayside for the penultimate home game ahead of the split.
The Jambos sit third in the table following their return to the Premiership, but came into the game off the back of a slight dip in form, with two wins in their last six games.
Tam Courts made two changes to the side which slipped to a disappointing defeat in West Lothian, the injured Tony Watt and Kieran Freeman both dropping out the squad entirely, replaced by Kevin McDonald and Scott McMann, who both made positive cameos off the bench in the aforementioned match.
It was a frantic opening 60 seconds, with Smith escaping the clutches of Craig Halkett down the right and drilling the ball low towards Clark in the middle, his shot smothered by former United defender John Souttar. Hearts broke straight from Craig Gordon, the ball eventually finding its way to Gary Mackay-Steven in a three-on-three scenario. The winger stroked it in behind the home defence for Liam Boyce who slammed an unstoppable effort in of the post on the spin.
From this, the visitors claimed the upper hand, enjoying extended spells of possession in and around the United 18-yard box, the back three of Ross Graham, Calum Butcher and Ryan Edwards having to clear a barrage of crosses to keep Josh Simms and Boyce at bay.
Barrie McKay managed to pluck a half-cleared ball down just inside the box and went for goal on the half-volley, Edwards having to throw his body infront of the strike to prevent Hearts from doubling their advantage.
Simms then had a goalbound header from close-range blocked by Graham as the Jambos continued to dominate proceedings.
United had their first proper strike for goal on 17 minutes when Ian Harkes, despite Willie Collum’s best efforts, let fly from 25 yards. He struck it well but the ball skimmed just wide of Gordon’s left-hand post.
The hosts had now managed to get a foothold in the game as their opponents’ intensity dropped towards the midway point of the half but struggled to progress the ball into the final third, perhaps due to a lack of willingness to face a man up and take them on.
A bizzare chance for Hearts followed, as Ilmari Niskanen almost thundered the ball past his own keeper when trying to intercept a pass from Simms 20 yards out, Siegrist throwing his right leg out to make sure the deficit remained at one goal.
Instantly after, Simms exquisitely flicked the ball over the head of Graham and collected it on the other side before thrashing a half-volley into the shed just outside the six-yard area.
Most positive happenings for United seemed to flow through Harkes, his energy and dynamism aiding the efforts to collect second balls and distribute into wider areas for the wing-backs of McMann and Niskanen.
The American had a chance of his own as the match headed towards half-time, McMann rolling the ball into the feet of Nicky Clark who pinned Halkett and flicked it into the path of Harkes. Unfortunately, his left-footed strike was blocked by Souttar just in front of Gordon.
The last action of the first-half was in the Hearts penalty area, Niskanen and Harkes working a short corner which resulted in the latter picking out Graham in the middle, his header sailing over the bar.
The second period began in the same way as the first, with a goal. However, this time it came for United. From kick-off, the ball was sent down the centre of the maroon rear-guard, half-cleared by Peter Haring only as far as Smith who cushioned it and then struck an unstoppable effort past the helpless Gordon and into the top right corner from all of 30 yards, the full-back turned midfielder’s second goal in as many games.
Tam Courts had clearly given his side a jolt at half time, as a rejuvenated and revitalised United covered every blade of grass to put their counterparts under intense pressure from the front, resulting in a period of sustained control.
Just ten minutes after drawing level, the Terrors were rewarded for their impressive start to the second half and took the lead through Clark. Again a long ball the source, McNulty beat Halkett in an aerial duel and flicked it into the area for his advancing strike partner who nipped in ahead of Souttar, the defender scything down his opponent as he headed in on goal. Referee Collum pointed to the spot without hesitation and Clark dusted himself down and before converting into the bottom corner with pinpoint accuracy, Tannadice bursting into wild celebration along with the goalscorer.
The turnaround seemed to stun the Jambos, United continuing to harry them into possession turnovers and slack passes, Haring in particular susceptible to the latter. It took until the 65th minute for the Edinburgh side to respond, as Mckay’s corner was met by Halkett at the back post who managed to divert it goalward with his feet, Siegrist doing the opposite with his own before a shrill blow of the whistle nullified the danger.
Calum Butcher’s renaissance at centre-back was evident as the match bore on, clearing almost all in his way to prevent Robbie Neilson’s men from drawing level. The 31-year-old covered for his younger colleague when Boyce wriggled away from Graham into the box and went for goal, crashing the ball wide of the target with a well-timed sliding challenge.
Graham then returned the favour with just over ten to play, as Stephen Kingsley picked out Simms running off the back of Butcher who took a misfortunate tumble as he attempted to recover. The Hearts striker had substitute Ginnelly for company and just Graham between him and the goal but opted to shoot rather than square it and the Academy graduate diverted the ball behind for a corner with a perfectly timed interception.
However, all United’s impressive work at the back was to be undone in sloppy fashion, as Halkett stooped to glance McKay’s inch-perfect corner into the net past Siegrist who stood rooted to the spot.
Both sides had promising counters as the match headed for its conclusion, United through Smith and Hearts through McKay, but neither team could take advantage and 2-2 was the final score in a pulsating clash on Tayside. The result, despite being a positive one, sees the Terrors drop out the top six for the time being, with matches against St Mirren, Hibernian and Dundee the remaining fixtures ahead of the cinch Premiership split.
