Gordon soars again to keep Hearts flying
HEARTS are back with a bang in joint-top spot in the Premiership — thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
For 70 minutes, the veteran was little more than a spectator as shot-shy United struggled to pose a meaningful threat.
But when push came to shove, Gordon stood up to be counted with no fewer than four saves to ensure Hearts remain unbeaten since their return from the Championship.
They were worth their third win in four starts. That said, they also enjoyed an element of good fortune when they took the lead a minute into first-half stoppage time.
There was little doubt that Ryan Edwards brought down Gary Mackay-Steven, at least not in referee Greg Aitken’s mind.
The official immediately pointed to the spot and up stepped Liam Boyce with the intention of sending Trevor Carson the wrong way.
But Carson won the guessing game and dived to his right to block Boyce’s effort.
Regrettably for he United keeper, the ball rebounded straight to Boyce’s feet and the striker was spot-on at the second attempt.
It was a body blow for United coming so late in the half but, in truth, Hearts had always looked the likelier side to score.
But, for all that they were clearly stung by the timing of the opening goal, United did not crumble in the second period.
Indeed, it took Hearts until the 90th minute to make certain of three points to sit alongside bitter rivals Hibs and ensure that the forthcoming Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle will be even more keenly anticipated than usual.
Substitutes Josh Ginnelly and Armand Gnanduillet combined to score the second when the latter stroked home his team-mate’s cutback.
It was just like old times pre-Covid with the fans basking in sunshine and the football full of commitment and wholehearted endeavour, maybe almost too much at times on those occasions when no quarter was given or, indeed, asked for.
Perhaps as a spectacle, the play was not a thing of great beauty, but for those who enjoy their football laced with a bit of spice it was a tasty enough dish.
Certainly, no-one could complain about being short-changed and the regular outbursts of singing suggested both sets of fans were at least reasonably pleased with what they witnessed.
For all that they were the dominant force for large swathes of the match, Hearts did not create a great deal in front of goal prior to scoring on the cusp of half-time.
John Souttar shot high and wide from the centre of the box in the 19th minute after Craig Halkett had engineered an opening.
Ben Woodburn also had an effort blocked but Carson was not put under any undue pressure.
United, meanwhile, threatened to pose the opposition a problem or two when they broke on a couple of occasions, but the Hearts defenders were quick to play
Marc McNulty offside.
When a genuine scoring opportunity did present itself in the 44th minute, Souttar made a complete hash of his finish.
Peter Haring played a delightful through ball onto Souttar’s head, but with the defence conspicuous by their absence, the full-back headed agonisingly wide of the far post.
It seemed that Hearts had squandered a second chance a minute or so later when Carson blocked Boyce’s penalty, but the Northern Ireland hitman couldn’t miss the rebound.
There was a flurry of substitutions in the second half as both managers sought to influence change.
Hearts sent on Ginnelly for the injured Woodburn and Gnanduillet replaced Mackay-Steven.
United attempted to freshen things up with Calum Butcher and Ian Harkes in place of Nicky Clark and Dylan Levitt, and Darren Watson was on for Adrian Sporle. The changes appeared to favour United a little more on the evidence of Gordon’s workload suddenly increasing quite significantly. Having failed to test the Scotland goalkeeper (left) for more than threequarters of the match, United at last showed some teeth. Edwards must have thought he had equalised with his powerful header from Harkes’ corner, but Gordon twisted spectacularly in mid-air to tip the ball over the bar.
Harkes then contrived an effort of his own, forcing Gordon to dive to his right to push the ball away.
United weren’t done yet and Butcher and Charlie Mulgrew, in turn, were thwarted by Gordon.
His stop from Mulgrew’s fiercely struck free-kick in the 84th minute was as good as any the veteran has produced in recent times.
United can be criticised for being almost passive at times and there is a need for them to display greater urgency and bite from the word go.
Having beaten both Rangers and St Johnstone, these qualities are clearly in the team’s DNA.
Robbie Neilson, meanwhile, enjoyed his first visit to Tannadice for 14 months since quitting as manager to take over at his beloved Tynecastle.
DUNDEE UNITED (4-4-2): Carson; Smith, Edwards, Mulgrew, Robson; Mochrie, Levitt (Butcher 53), Fuchs, Sporle (Watson 69); McNulty, Clark (Harkes 53).
Subs (not used): Connolly, Reynolds, Hoti, Newman. Booked: Levitt, Robson.
HEARTS (3-4-2-1): Gordon; Souttar, Halkett, Cochrane; Smith, Baningime, Haring, Halliday (Moore 82); Woodburn (Ginnelly 62), Mackay-Steven (Gnanduillet 68); Boyce.
Subs (not used): Walker, McEneff, Stewart, Pollock. Booked: Baningime, Halliday.
Referee: Greg Aitken. Attendance: 9,234.