Dundee United vs Hearts. Scottish Premiership.
CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice ParkAttendance10,214.
Dundee United 0-1 Hearts: James Penrice scores winner at Tannadice to secure back-to-back victories
Report as Hearts win 1-0 at Dundee United for back-to-back victories; James Penrice scores winner as Hearts remain 11th but are just one point behind Kilmarnock and eight clear of rock-bottom St Johnstone; loss ends a run of three wins in a row for United, who remain third in table
Sunday 5 January 2025 17:34, UK
James Penrice was Hearts' hero with the only goal of the game against Dundee United at Tannadice.
The Edinburgh side had hit the woodwork twice before the left-back produced an unerring finish in the second half to secure all three points.
It is the first time this season Hearts have won back-to-back league games and although they remain 11th, the Jambos are now just one point behind Kilmarnock and eight clear of rock-bottom St Johnstone.
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The result ended a run of three wins in a row for United, who remain third in the table.
The hosts made three changes to the side that won the Dundee derby on Thursday with Richard Odada, Miller Thomson and Declan Gallagher coming in for Kristijan Trapanovski, Glenn Middleton and Ross Docherty, who all dropped to the bench.
Hearts kept faith with the team that beat Motherwell at Tynecastle last time out, with new signing Jamie McCart named as a substitute.
After an even opening, Hearts started to ramp up the pressure and had the first shot of the game in the 10th minute but Musa Drammeh's effort from the edge of the box flew straight into United goalkeeper Jack Walton's arms.
Shortly after, the visitors came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Liam Boyce smashed a diagonal cross off the bar.
The hosts were struggling to offer a threat, with Hearts skipper Craig Gordon having little to do between the sticks.
United finally had a half-chance but centre-half Kevin Holt dragged his shot well wide of goal.
However, Holt made a vital contribution at the other end in the 29th minute, clearing a Craig Halkett header from a Blair Spittal corner off his own line.
United boss Jim Goodwin reacted with a double change 10 minutes later, bringing off Odada and Thomson, with Docherty and Jort van der Sande coming on in their place.
The Terrors were the first to threaten after the break with Van der Sande having a shot blocked inside the Hearts box and Ryan Strain firing well over.
Hearts then hit the woodwork for the second time in the game when former United star Spittal's superb 30-yard free-kick cannoned off Walton's crossbar.
However, Hearts finally opened the scoring in the 72nd minute when Adam Forrester headed back across goal and although Boyce miscued the first chance, the ball ran through to Penrice who hit a thunderous volley past the helpless Walton.
United have made a habit of scoring late goals this season and although they had a couple of half-chances deep in stoppage time, there was no way back for the home team.
