Hearts Claim 3–0 Victory Over Dundee United at Tannadice
Hearts extend their lead at the top of the table with a win over Dundee United. It was a clinical night for Heart of Midlothian at Tannadice as they came away with a convincing 3-0 victory over Dundee United, consolidating their grip at the top of the Premiership table. The Jambos made a positive start and opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Pierre Landry Kaboré found space inside the box, after a cross from Harry Milne and he finished from close range saw them go 1-0 up. Dundee United enjoyed spells of possession and attempted to build play, but struggled to convert that control into clear scoring opportunities. Amar Fatah was sent off for the home side after a challenge on Marc Leonard. The decision was originally given as a yellow but referee Calum Scott was sent to the monitor and the card was upgraded to red. Hearts then doubled their lead through a penalty. Claudio Braga was brought down in the box by Ryan Strain. Alexandros Kyziridis stepped up with a right footed shot and scored. United attempted to respond before the interval, pushing players higher up the pitch, but they were unable to test the Hearts goalkeeper in any meaningful way. The pattern of the game remained largely unchanged after the break. Dundee United continued to work the ball forward but struggled to break down a compact Hearts back line. Hearts were content to manage the game with their 2-0 lead. In the 75th minute Panutche Camará saw red, a second sending off for Dundee United this time for violent conduct against Marc Leonard. Kabore got his third goal of the evening after 81 minutes a left footed shot into the right side of goal and that sealed the game for McInnes’ side. Despite their efforts, Dundee United were unable to trouble the scoreboard. Hearts leave Tannadice with a clean sheet and all three points. Dundee United: Maynard-Brewer (4), Cleall- Harding (5), Graham (4), Keresztes (3), Strain (5), Stephenson (4), Sibbald (4), Ferry (5), Fatah (2), Möller (4), Trapanovski (4) Substitutions: Farrugia (3), Sapsford (4), Camara (2), Stirton (3) Hearts: Schwolow (7), Milne (8), Findlay (7), Halkett (7), Altena (7), Kyziridis (8), Magnusson (6), Leonard (8), McEntee (7), Braga (7), Kabore (9) Substitutions: McCart (6), Steinwender (5), Kerjota (6), Ageu (6), Mato (5)
Hibernian 0-0 Rangers: Both Teams Fire Blanks in the Capital
A blow to Rangers title hopes as they lose ground on Hearts at the top of the table as they played out an entertaining scoreless draw with Hibernian. Hibs came into this one off the back of a few poor results against Falkirk and in the cup against Dunfermline, with only two wins in their last five. Rangers are on a run of seven wins domestically and only lost their first game in nine away to Porto midweek as they were looking to continue their title push. There were two changes for Hibs as they looked to bounce back from a 4-1 loss at Falkirk, now departed Kieron Bowie and Jamie McGrath dropped out for Elle Youan and Joe Newell. As for Rangers they made five changes from the midweek loss to Porto, James Tavernier, Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Mohammed Diomande and now away Findlay Curtis are out for Dujon Sterling, Andreas Skov Olson, Tochi Chukwuani, Thelo Aasgaard and John Souttar. First action came for Rangers, a good ball from Djedi Gassama found Aasgaard in space on the edge of the area, but his shot was blocked for a Rangers corner. That corner was a good one onto the head of John Souttar, but his header flew over the bar and Hibs received a goal kick. As we reached the mid-way point of the first half, Rangers were consolidating possession but lacked directness in their play, Hibs were defending well but struggled to really test the Rangers defence. First real chance for Hibs came when Youan got a good cross in for Hibs skipper Joe Newell who found himself in space near the penalty spot, but his header went wide. Youan again looking lively as he beat Souttar to a high ball he managed to get into the area but his shot was beaten away by Rangers keeper Jack Butland Butland again was called into action after a good run by sub Kai Andrews found Youan and the Rangers keeper tipped the ball over the bar. A great ball in by Gassama was played back across goal by Skov Olsen and it had Jack Iredale panicking but the Hibs defender was able to clear before any Rangers players arrived. A good free kick in by Jordan Obita was cleared by the Rangers defence for a corner as Martin Boyle was lurking to try and get his toe on it. A ball through to Boyle is missed by Emmanuel Fernandez and he was through one on one with Butland but the keeper was able to save. Another Hibs chance followed as some good play finally released Obita on the left and his cross got to Youan at the back post and his header was wide when it really should have been a lot better. First shot of the second half came from Rangers as Fernandez wins the ball on the edge of the area and his deflected shot goes way over for a corner. Another headed chance for Hibs and Youan went over the bar once again after good running from Boyle kept the move alive. Another shot from outside the box from Fernandez is deflected and this time Raphael Salinger has to knock it behind for another corner. Good running from new signing Dane Scarlett won Hibs a first corner of the second half as they tried to put Rangers under some pressure again. Mikey Moore had the ball in the net but the flag went up, after a VAR review the decision was upheld and it stayed 0-0. Hibs went straight up the park after that and managed to get a shot away with Kanayo Megwa but Jack Butland was able to catch. As we went into the last 10 the game had opened up and both teams were attacking with intensity knowing one goal would likely win it. After a counter attack the ball fell to another new HIbs player Owen Elding but his shot was easy for Butland. Nedim Bajrami got the ball a bit of space and shaped to shoot, but his shot went way over the goal. Hibs win a corner in the last minute as Scarlett has a close range chance blocked by Souttar but the corner comes to nothing. A spectacular last minute overhead kick attempt by Bojan Miovski was saved by Raphael Salinger as the final whistle was blown. Next up for Hibs is another home game, this time they face Dundee United on Wednesday night where they’ll look to finally get back to winning ways. As for Rangers they’re also at home on Wednesday night against Kilmarnock who won their first game since the 4th October this weekend. Hibernian Raphael Salinger, Grant Hanley (Nicky Cadden 70), Elle Youan (Dane Scarlett 70), Martin Boyle (Owen Elding 66), Joe Newell (Rudi Molotnikov 66), Miguel Chaiwa (Kai Andrews 10), Jack Iredale, Jordan Obita, Dan Barlaser, Kanayo Megwa, Rocky Bushiri. Rangers Jack Butland, John Souttar, Andreas Skov Olsen (Nedim Bajrami 70), Youssef Chermiti, Thelo Aasgaard (Bojan Miovski 86), Dujon Sterling (Max Aarons 86), Djedi Gassama (Mikey Moore 56), Jayden Meghoma, Emmanuel Fernandez, Tochi Chuckwuani (Mohammed Diomande 70), Nicolas Raskin.
