Dundee Utd 0
Hibernian 3
League (SPL)

Match Report

United’s recent good run of form was ended when a poor second half performance saw the loss of three goals as Hibs in the end ran out deserved winners.

Noel Hunt was brought into the starting line-up for United in place of the suspended Barry Robson. After recently regaining fitness, Craig Brewster listed himself on the bench. For the visitors, David Murphy and Chris Killen came in for Dean Shiels and Steven Fletcher, who both had to settle for a place on the bench.

United started quickly and came close inside two minutes when Hunt slid in to meet a Craig Conway cross, however the Irishman missed the target whilst at full stretch. The Easter Road side then started to come more into things, and appealed for a penalty when Rob Jones and Christian Kalvenes clashed in the area, but referee Craig Thomson waved play on. The home side recovered and had a penalty claim of their own five minutes later, when Hunt was felled in the area by Jones. It looked a strong claim but again appeals were waved aside by Thomson. Zemmama had a left foot shot deflected over for Hibs before defender Jones blasted a clearer opportunity over from six yards as half time approached. Collin Samuel brought out a good save from Malkowski when he drilled a low right foot drive towards goal before Hunt had an opportunity from another Conway cross, but with his back to goal could only head over. Derek Stillie then made a good save from a Scott Brown left foot drive to ensure there would be no scoring before the interval.

United had been perhaps the slightly better of the sides in the first half but were caught cold as Hibs took the lead in 52 minutes. A searching ball from right back Steven Whittaker found Killen in plenty space, and the striker fired a powerful half volley beyond Stillie and into the net. United took time to react to losing the opening goal, but did have a glorious opportunity with around 20 minutes remaining. William Easton played in Kalvenes down the left, and his low cross was met by Brewster, whose low right foot shot was brilliantly blocked by Malkowski before the move finally ended with Brewster heading off target. As so often happens when a big chance is missed, United paid the price as Hibs went up the other end and doubled their lead minutes later. Stillie had originally made a good save from a long range Benjelloun drive, but was powerless to prevent Dean Shiels netting with a quite sublime lob into the far corner of the net. This killed off any chance United had of taking anything from the game and a bad afternoon for the hosts was rounded off when Ivan Sproule slotted home in the final minute.