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13th May 2024
A less-then-full-strength United team lost their final league match of the season after going down 2-0 at home to Hibernian.
A goal in each half from Colin Nish sealed the win for Hibs, but the defeat had no effect on United's final league position as Peter Houston's team had already secured third place in the SPL table - their best finish since the 1996/97 season.
And with the Active Nation Scottish Cup final to look forward to, the manager had the luxury of resting a number of key players ahead of the Hampden showpiece, so it was an unfamiliar line-up that took to the field at Tannadice.
However, it took the home side a while to get going and John Hughes's men took full advantage.
Hibs started strongly and could have taken the lead with just a minute on the clock when the United defence was caught out by a long ball forward, allowing Anthony Stokes through on goal.
But the former Arsenal striker shot tamely at Dusan Pernis.
However, the Hibees did take open the scoring in the 12th minute.
Stokes found space on the left crossed to the far corner of the penalty area. The ball was eventually laid off to Liam Miller, whose effort was turned in by Nish from close range to put Hibs 1-0 up.
United could have equalised five minutes later but were denied by a last-ditch clearance.
Danny Swanson's corner to the back post was headed goal-wards by Kenneth, but the ball was cleared off the line as Hibs held on.
The Terrors came close again towards the end of the first half when Swanson's quick free-kick was met by Damian Casalinuovo at the near post, but the Argentine striker's his diving header went just wide.
The second half brought little in the way of chances for the Terrors side despite exerting some pressure on the Hibs defence.
The best chance, however, came just after the hour mark and fell to Andis Shala.
Good build up play on the right hand side between Scott Robertson and Keith Watson gave the full-back time and space to cross for the German, but his goal-bound header was saved easily by Hibs 'keeper Graeme Smith.
And the home side were made to pay as the Hibees grabbed the all-important second goal to effectively kill the game.
David Wotherspoon played the ball back to Steven Thicot on the right and he curled the ball to the far post for Nish to head past Pernis and make it 2-0 to secure all three points for Hibs.
Teams:
Dundee United: Pernis, Watson, Kenneth (c), Mihadjuks (S Robertson, 46), D Robertson, Dillon, Smith (Dow, 60), Myrie-Williams, Swanson (Cameron, 55) Shala, Casalinuovo (Subs not used: Banks, Conway, Daly, Goodwillie)
Hibernian: Smith, Thicot (Hanlon, 77), Bamba, Hogg (c), Murray, Miller (McBride, 45), Rankin, Wotherspoon, Stokes (Gow, 63), Nish, Riordan (Subs not used: Ma-Kalambay, Benjelloun, Cregg, Stevenson)
Referee: Charlie Richmond
Attendance: 6,527
A goal in each half from Colin Nish sealed the win for Hibs, but the defeat had no effect on United's final league position as Peter Houston's team had already secured third place in the SPL table - their best finish since the 1996/97 season.
And with the Active Nation Scottish Cup final to look forward to, the manager had the luxury of resting a number of key players ahead of the Hampden showpiece, so it was an unfamiliar line-up that took to the field at Tannadice.
However, it took the home side a while to get going and John Hughes's men took full advantage.
Hibs started strongly and could have taken the lead with just a minute on the clock when the United defence was caught out by a long ball forward, allowing Anthony Stokes through on goal.
But the former Arsenal striker shot tamely at Dusan Pernis.
However, the Hibees did take open the scoring in the 12th minute.
Stokes found space on the left crossed to the far corner of the penalty area. The ball was eventually laid off to Liam Miller, whose effort was turned in by Nish from close range to put Hibs 1-0 up.
United could have equalised five minutes later but were denied by a last-ditch clearance.
Danny Swanson's corner to the back post was headed goal-wards by Kenneth, but the ball was cleared off the line as Hibs held on.
The Terrors came close again towards the end of the first half when Swanson's quick free-kick was met by Damian Casalinuovo at the near post, but the Argentine striker's his diving header went just wide.
The second half brought little in the way of chances for the Terrors side despite exerting some pressure on the Hibs defence.
The best chance, however, came just after the hour mark and fell to Andis Shala.
Good build up play on the right hand side between Scott Robertson and Keith Watson gave the full-back time and space to cross for the German, but his goal-bound header was saved easily by Hibs 'keeper Graeme Smith.
And the home side were made to pay as the Hibees grabbed the all-important second goal to effectively kill the game.
David Wotherspoon played the ball back to Steven Thicot on the right and he curled the ball to the far post for Nish to head past Pernis and make it 2-0 to secure all three points for Hibs.
Teams:
Dundee United: Pernis, Watson, Kenneth (c), Mihadjuks (S Robertson, 46), D Robertson, Dillon, Smith (Dow, 60), Myrie-Williams, Swanson (Cameron, 55) Shala, Casalinuovo (Subs not used: Banks, Conway, Daly, Goodwillie)
Hibernian: Smith, Thicot (Hanlon, 77), Bamba, Hogg (c), Murray, Miller (McBride, 45), Rankin, Wotherspoon, Stokes (Gow, 63), Nish, Riordan (Subs not used: Ma-Kalambay, Benjelloun, Cregg, Stevenson)
Referee: Charlie Richmond
Attendance: 6,527
