On-fire Gordon leaves United Hearts-broken
Robbie Neilson received a warm welcome from the Tangerines support on his first trip back since switching to Hearts last June.
However, just as he was booed by the home fans on the way in, he was cheered to the rafters by the away contingent on his way out.
That after goals from Liam Boyce and Armand Gnanduillet had extended his side’s unbeaten record to four to tee up a mouth-watering derby with Hibs in a fortnight
“I’ve had loads of clubs so it doesn’t really bother me,” said the Hearts boss.
“I know quite a lot of the players and staff, there are some really good people here.
“So it as nice to see them and have a blether with them, but my job is just to pick up the three points.”
Neilson gave Ben Woodburn, the Wales internationalist they have brought in on loan from Liverpool, his debut alongside former Everton midfielder Beni Baningime.
The 21-year-old has made the switch north in the hope of accelerating his progress at Anfield and he was quickly into his work, with a snap shot blocked by Jamie Robson.
The visitors grew more into the game as the first half continued and really should have taken the lead from a great opportunity they created for themselves.
John Souttar whipped in a cross from the right, and Peter Haring ghosted clear of his markers to give himself a free header.
Just a few yards out, the Austrian looked a certainty to score but he somehow managed to direct his effort wide.
Haring’s blushes were spared as the Edinburgh side quickly took the lead after that.
Gary Mackay-steven, a former Tangerines favourite, was the creator with the winger drawing a foul out of Ryan Edwards inside the United box.
Referee Greg Aitken saw enough in it to award a penalty.
Keeper Trevor Carson pulled off a good save to deny his fellow Northern Irishman, flinging himself low to his right.
He was let down, though, by his team-mates. When the rebound landed back at Boyce’s feet no one got close to him in time to apply any pressure.
With Carson still struggling to get back off the ground, the striker finished with ease.
Not liking what he was seeing, United manager Tam Courts made two changes, introducing Calum Butcher and Iain Harkes in place of Dylan Levitt and Nicky Clark.
The changes gave them a bit more muscle in the centre of the pitch but Hearts continued to look a threat on the break.
Josh Ginnelly, on as a sub for Woodburn who took a knock, looked in the mood and flashed a near-post shot that Carson did well to keep out.
Craig Gordon, it was though, who produced the most eyecatching piece of goalkeeping of the afternoon with a stunning, instinctive save to tip over a header fairly powered in by Edwards from a Harkes corner.
Almost as good from the Scotland keeper, was his flying effort to push Charlie Mulgrew’s curling free kick past the post.
The effort looked a goal all the way and the disappointment on the faces of the United’s players was there for all to see.
They huffed and puffed after that but the forward pushing left them vulnerable at the back and they paid the penalty when Hearts added to their lead at the death.
Ginnelly cut in from the right and pulled the ball back to his fellow sub Armand Gnanduillet who calmly passed the ball into the far corner of the net.