Hibernian1–3Dundee Utd

With over 20 minutes played United had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Ryan Dow took control of the ball on the edge of the area. As he looked to make inroads on the goal he was blocked and tripped to the ground. Referee Euan Norris pointed to the spot much to the consternation of the home side as they believed the foul to have occurred outwith the box. Nadir Ciftci stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was too easy for Ben Williams to smother on the line. Ciftci would make amends for his penalty miss 20 minutes later. A fine Paul Paton ball allowed Ciftci to race for the ball with Paul Hanlon. The power and speed of Ciftci was too much for Hanlon who was left flailing in his wake. Nadir Çiftçi then cut into the box and outfoxed both Michael Nelson and the Hibs keeper to put the Tangerines into the lead. The lead would only last for three minutes. As Hibs pushed for an equaliser they won a corner out on the right hand side. The ball was flighted into the six-yard box and Radoslaw Cierzniak elected to punch the ball to safety. Unfortunately, his clearance came off the head of Jordon Forster and bounced into the back of the net which gave Hibs the equaliser they sought.

United started well in the second half and after ten minutes took a deserved lead. Mackay-Steven aimed his corner to the back post and rising above all around him was Gavin Gunning. His goalward header floated into the back of the Hibs net giving United their second and Gunning his third goal in two games. Three minutes later United had another golden opportunity to find the back of the net. From a United corner Gunning’s attempts to drive the ball towards goal brought a foul that gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Mackay-Steven stepped up to take the kick. However, his left foot strike cleared the crossbar and United’s second penalty of the evening would go down also as a miss. After 71 minutes Hibs went down to ten men. Tom Taiwo fouled Paul Paton and was shown his second yellow of the game. The points were wrapped up with eight minutes remaining as United took advantage of their extra man. Mackay-Steven released Robertson down the left and his ball to the front post was met by substitute Farid El Alagui who turned the ball past Williams to make it 3-1 United.

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page