Dundee Utd3–1Hearts

Still looking for their first league victory at Tannadice, United relegated Davie Dodds and Paul Sturrock to the subs' bench from the side that disappointed against Standard Liege. Bobby Robinson returned to the midfield and George Fleming took over from the injured Derek Addison.

As expected, the experienced Fleming took up a striker's position, but it was an iauspicious start by the home side, who seemed to be suffering a European hangover. Penalty appeals were waved away after Holt tumbled to the ground after weaving his way into the box, but minutes later United took the lead. A long throw on the left by Frank Kopel was headed down by Dave Narey, and Billy Kirkwood was on to the ball in a flash to send a crashing shot low into the corner of the net. At the other end a Gibson net-bound effort was diverted over the bar by the ever-alert Narey, and a long range swerving shot from Robertson required a good save by Hamish McAlpine. Liddell is first given a stern talking to and then later booked after fouls on Payne and Kirkwood. Just before the half-hour Kirkwood had a chance to make it two from a Kopel cross, but fired over the bar from a few yards out. Five minutes later another Kopel cross was met full on by Fleming, who's diving header was pushed past the post by Dunlop. In the 40th minute a through ball from Payne found Kirkwood unmarked on the left, and as he ran towards goal Frank Kopel appeared on his right and fired a first time shot into the net. On the stroke of half-time, Ray Stewart ran over 40 yards to collect a through ball by Payne, whose inch-perfect centre was headed home by the diving Billy Kirkwood.

In the second half, Hearts resorted to some rough stuff in an effort to keep the lively home forwards at bay. At the other end, a solo run by Eamonn Bannon into the home penalty box ends with the Hearts inside forward stroking the ball into the net to give the Edinburgh side some hope. United bet back on the offensive, and a clever lob shot by Payne is kept out by a desperate Dunlop dive. Sturrock is introoduced to the game in place of Smith, with Narey dropping back to defence. After a few half chances at both ends, Dunlop makes a tremendous save from a Sturrock header, clutching the ball at the post to prevent United putting the final seal on the match.