Match Report

Dundee United consolidated third place in the League and extended their unbeaten run to ten games with a fully deserved win against a battling Hibs side.

The Tangerines struggled throughout the first half when they were hassled by the visitors but in the second period it was virtually one-way traffic and United could have finished with a far greater margin of victory.

The visitors had begun quite brightly creating their first opportunity in the fourth minute when Colin Nish took advantage of a break in the ball from Derek Riordan's 20-yard free-kick. However, the big striker opted to back-heel the ball rather than shoot.

Riordan then went close with another free-kick which missed the post by a yard.

Slowly United eased their way into the game and Scott Robertson was to miss the first of many chances in the 16th minute when he dragged a shot wide following great work from Willo Flood.

The Hibees however were not there to make up the numbers and John Rankin did well in the 20th minute to find space, volleying past the post from 16 yards. Five minutes later he had a great strike tipped over by the long arms of Lukasz Zaluska.

After a tepid opening first half, United began with a bang in the second scoring through Darren Dods in the 54th minute. Craig Conway, for the first time in the game, pulled the ball to the byline and crossed for Dods to plant the ball with his head into the top corner from ten yards.

And it was 2-0 six minutes later when Flood took advantage of a sleepy defence to take a quick free-kick for Francisco Jose Sandaza to nip in and flick the ball past the keeper from three yards. It was a simple but effective goal and one which would have enraged Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen.

United were in full flow and the shots reined in but it was left to Morgaro Gomis to miss the easiest chance, firing wide from in front of the goal after he had robbed Steven Thicot of the ball at the edge of the box.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides