James Penrice scored the only goal of the game as Neil Critchley’s side move 8 points clear of 12th place
Dundee United were looking to win their 4th consecutive match in the league, with Hearts aiming to build on their 1-0 win over Motherwell on Thursday.
There were 3 changes in the United team that beat Dundee, as Declan Gallagher returned to the XI to captain the side. Hearts named an unchanged lineup.
It was the Jambos who started brighter of the two sides and looked threatening when they went forward. Musa Drammeh had the first shot of the game but his left footed attempted was well saved by Jack Walton.
Liam Boyce came the closest to opening the scoring in the first half, with his shot from a tight angle outside the box firing off the United keeper’s crossbar.
United struggled for any good possession but looked dangerous from every throw in. Their first chance of the afternoon fell to Kevin Holt inside the box, but his volley scuffed past the post.
At the other end, Craig Halkett found himself free at the back post from Spittal’s corner, but his header was cleared off the line from Holt.
Jim Goodwin opted to make a double change at the end of the first half, hoping to gain more control in the much. The first half petered out, however, as neither side were able to create any real openings.
Half Time – Dundee United 0-0 Hearts
The second half started the same way the first half ended as both teams struggled to get a hold of the ball.
Ryan Strain had the first chance of the half as the ball fell to him from 12 yards out, but he blazed his shot into the Hearts fans behind Craig Gordon’s goal.
Hearts hit the woodwork for the second time in the game when former Dundee United man, Blair Spittal, smashed the ball off the crossbar from a free kick 30 yards out.
The scrappiness of the match continued throughout the second half, with the ball spending a lot of it’s time in the air.
The breakthrough finally came at Tannadice in the 73rd minute. A headed cross from Forrester was aimed for Boyce, who fluffed his lines but the ball fell to Penrice who fired his volley into the back of the United yet. An excellent finish in a game in a game lacking any real quality.
The late goal specialists searched for an equaliser but Critchley’s men looked like the only side scoring the second of the match as United pushed bodies forward. Hearts saw out the game well, with Goodwin’s sides only opportunity coming via a goal line scramble in added time.
Over the course of 90 minutes, Hearts probably deserved the victory, in what was a rare away victory for them this season.
The result sees the Jambos move 8 points clear of 12th place St Johnstone. As for Dundee United, they remain in 3rd spot despite the disappointing defeat.
Dundee United – Walton (GK), Strain, Adegboyega, Gallagher (C) (Trapanovski 73), Holt, Ferry, Odada (Docherty 39), Sevelj (Fotheringham 86), Stephenson (Middleton 73), Thomson (Van Der Sande 39), Dalby
Hearts – Gordon (GK) (C), Forrester, Rowles, Halkett, Penrice, Devlin, Grant (Vargas 86), Drammeh (Forrest 76), Boyce (Boateng 76), Spittal, Wilson (McCart 90)
10,214 attendance