MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
A fine footballing display saw United come from behind to finish as convincing winners in this crucial battle in the race for third.
Yet the visitors - with Gomis and Daly back in for Shala and the suspended Dixon - fell behind within 40 seconds. Ian Murray crossed from the left and Patrick Cregg's shot from the edge of the box deflected off Dillon and into the net. United could have fallen further behind soon after but survived a goalmouth scramble after failing to deal with Riordan's corner.
Gradually United imposed themselves on the game and after good work by Swanson and Goodwillie, Daly sidestepped Hogg only to be tripped by the Hibs captain inside the penalty area. Daly took the penalty himself, sending Stack the wrong way and United were level. Seven minutes later and United had turned the game on its head. Conway's corner was half cleared to the edge of the box and Swanson played a delightful dummy to buy himself some space before sending an exquisite curling left foot shot high into the far corner of the net.
United survived a scare when Nish was sent clear on the stroke of half time, but though he rounded the keeper he was forced wide and eventually his cut-back from the goal-line was cleared by Watson. United went in at the interval deservedly in front.
Hibs started the second period as brightly as the first and were unlucky not to be level on 52 minutes. Nish was played clear by Miller, the big striker's shot came back off the post and Riordan's follow-up effort was brilliantly blocked by Dillon. But once again United responded well and Daly was next to see a shot come back off the upright as he connected perfectly with Conway's corner.
United's third goal followed on the hour mark, Goodwillie collecting a pass from Buaben and holding off his marker before rifling a shot across the keeper and into the net from the edge of the box. Hibs started ringing the changes, but United were passing the ball superbly and looked solid at the back. With two minutes remaining, a first time Jon Daly pass put Goodwillie clear. The striker drew his marker before squaring for substitute Sandaza to finish through the keeper's legs. Although Stokes stabbed home a consolation second goal for Hibs in injury time, nothing could put a dampner on Arab celebrations after another thoroughly convincing ninety minutes from their team.
A memorable week, and an excellent month. As well as cementing third place, United have now surpassed last season's club record total of 53 SPL points. Only time will tell how memorable the season as a whole might be.
Teams
Hibs: Stack, Thicot, Hogg, Bamba, Murray, Cregg, Miller, Rankin, Nish (Benjelloun 75), Riordan, Stevenson (Stokes 61) Subs not used: Smith, McCormack, Galbraith, Byrne, Taggart
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Webster, Conway(Smith 90), Daly (Shala 89), Swanson (Sandaza 83), Buaben, Gomis, Kenneth, Goodwillie, Watson. Subs not used: Banks, Dods, McCord, Mihadjuks
Ref: Stevie O'Reilly
Man of the Match: Outstanding performances all over the park tonight, but David Goodwillie collects the man of the match for all excellent all round striker's performance - scoring one, creating another, and never giving the Hibs backline a moment's peace.
Yet the visitors - with Gomis and Daly back in for Shala and the suspended Dixon - fell behind within 40 seconds. Ian Murray crossed from the left and Patrick Cregg's shot from the edge of the box deflected off Dillon and into the net. United could have fallen further behind soon after but survived a goalmouth scramble after failing to deal with Riordan's corner.
Gradually United imposed themselves on the game and after good work by Swanson and Goodwillie, Daly sidestepped Hogg only to be tripped by the Hibs captain inside the penalty area. Daly took the penalty himself, sending Stack the wrong way and United were level. Seven minutes later and United had turned the game on its head. Conway's corner was half cleared to the edge of the box and Swanson played a delightful dummy to buy himself some space before sending an exquisite curling left foot shot high into the far corner of the net.
United survived a scare when Nish was sent clear on the stroke of half time, but though he rounded the keeper he was forced wide and eventually his cut-back from the goal-line was cleared by Watson. United went in at the interval deservedly in front.
Hibs started the second period as brightly as the first and were unlucky not to be level on 52 minutes. Nish was played clear by Miller, the big striker's shot came back off the post and Riordan's follow-up effort was brilliantly blocked by Dillon. But once again United responded well and Daly was next to see a shot come back off the upright as he connected perfectly with Conway's corner.
United's third goal followed on the hour mark, Goodwillie collecting a pass from Buaben and holding off his marker before rifling a shot across the keeper and into the net from the edge of the box. Hibs started ringing the changes, but United were passing the ball superbly and looked solid at the back. With two minutes remaining, a first time Jon Daly pass put Goodwillie clear. The striker drew his marker before squaring for substitute Sandaza to finish through the keeper's legs. Although Stokes stabbed home a consolation second goal for Hibs in injury time, nothing could put a dampner on Arab celebrations after another thoroughly convincing ninety minutes from their team.
A memorable week, and an excellent month. As well as cementing third place, United have now surpassed last season's club record total of 53 SPL points. Only time will tell how memorable the season as a whole might be.
Teams
Hibs: Stack, Thicot, Hogg, Bamba, Murray, Cregg, Miller, Rankin, Nish (Benjelloun 75), Riordan, Stevenson (Stokes 61) Subs not used: Smith, McCormack, Galbraith, Byrne, Taggart
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Webster, Conway(Smith 90), Daly (Shala 89), Swanson (Sandaza 83), Buaben, Gomis, Kenneth, Goodwillie, Watson. Subs not used: Banks, Dods, McCord, Mihadjuks
Ref: Stevie O'Reilly
Man of the Match: Outstanding performances all over the park tonight, but David Goodwillie collects the man of the match for all excellent all round striker's performance - scoring one, creating another, and never giving the Hibs backline a moment's peace.
