Last update on. From the section Scottish Premiership
Hearts took a lead in the first half thanks to Liam Boyce (center).
After a "world-class save by Craig Gordon, Dundee United," promoted hearts kept pace with Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership summit, according to manager Robbie Neilson.
Neilson visited Tannadice last year for the first time. He marked the occasion by a third win in four, after Scotland's goalkeeper Gordon made a series of excellent stops.
After his penalty was saved, Liam Boyce scored the rebound and Armand Gnanduillet secured the points in the final minutes.
Not as important was the work of Scotland custodian Gordon who stopped Ryan Edwards' and Calum Butcher's attempts and made a spectacular intervention to stop Charlie Mulgrew.
Neilson said that United's performance after the interval was much better than before. "That save is probably more significant than the second goal to win us the three points."
Craig is always going to save the shot when someone has a chance at Craig. This just shows how good he is as a goalkeeper.
Gordon's performance means Hearts remain level at the top of table alongside Hibs who they host after the international holiday in an exciting Edinburgh derby.
After winning their first league match with United in 2016, the Tynecastle team is ready to go for that game.
Although Hearts had a dominating first 45 minutes, they were unable to score until Peter Haring's header just before the half-time break. The Austrian managed to slip between two defenders and then somehow managed to head wide from close range.
Gordon at the other end made the first of a series of crucial saves, pushing away Jamie Robson's shot. But Hearts took the lead just before half-time.
Hearts was penalized by Mackay-Steven for the second consecutive week. This time Edwards was the one who caused Mackay-Steven to fall to the ground after they had tussled.
The home support expressed their dismay over Boyce's soft award, before Boyce's spot kick was saved. But the rebound fell in favor of the Northern Irishman and the latter took it home.
Ben Woodburn, Hearts' Liverpool on-loan attacker, was lively, but he fell ill an hour after his debut. Josh Ginnelly beat Ben Woodburn twice within minutes and then tested Trever Carson's goalkeeper with rasping drives.
Gordon established his position as Scotland's number one by instinctively pushing Edwards' powerful header over the bar.
As United increased the pressure, United continued to hold them back, first deflecting a Butcher shot, then brilliantly tipping Mulgrew around a post.
But Hearts won the game late when Ginnelly slipped inside and passed the ball to Gnanduillet. The delighted traveling support was astonished.
Craig Gordon is the man of the match
While Hearts had many impressive players, Gordon made three crucial saves when the game was still close at 1-0.
What have we learned?
It was another match in which United fans wondered why their side played passively, and offered little at the other end. They were already behind the Aberdeen team.
They only showed their true colors when they were trailing. Without Gordon's inspired support, they might have won a draw.
The only loss for Hearts this term was the League Cup defeat by Celtic. Woodburn is a great addition. Two weeks from now, the Edinburgh derby - which will feature both sides at the top - promises to be an exciting event.
What were they saying?
Thomas Courts, Dundee United manager: "I am disappointed by this result but not disappointed with the performance. Hearts had probably a bit more control than we did without really cutting us off.
"At half time, the boys maintained a strong belief in our ability to get back into the game. However, we found an inspired Craig Gordon in the goal for Hearts today."
Robbie Neilson, Hearts manager: "We had a lot possession and created many chances. The icing on our cake was getting that second goal.
"I thought Dundee United were more impressive in the second half, but we displayed the quality."
What's next?
After the international break, United will be at St Mirren on Sat, September 11th (15:00 BST), and Hearts will be at Hibs the next day (12:00).
Souttar John Souttar was the player of the match with an average 7.92 Dundee Utd Dundee United Dundee United
Hearts Heart of Midlothian Heart of Midlothian Dundee United avg Squad Number 12 Player Name Edwards Average Rating 5.48 Squad Number 19 Player Name Levitt Average Rating 5.28 Squad Number 16 Player Name Robson Average Rating 4.95 Squad Number 9 Player Name Clark Average Rating 4.91 Squad No. 9 Player Player named Watson Average Rating 7.42 Squad # 17 Player Playername Baningime Average ranking 7.49 Squad no. 17 Player Playername Boyce Average ratings 7.42 Squad numbers 21 Player Playername Gnanduillet Squad name Smith Player number 16 Squad 16 Playername Halliday Player: 6.95 Squad 16 Player, 6.95 Squad 16 Player Halliday.
