Dundee Utd 1 - 0 Hibernian: Hibs out-thought and out-fought as chance to push on is wasted

Published on Sunday 17 January 2010 23:19

IT WAS a match of missed opportunity. With Celtic dropping points at home to Falkirk, victory for Hibs would have taken them to within two points of second place. But, as has been the case in recent weeks, they struggled to make the most of the chance and instead of breathing down Celtic's neck, they allowed themselves to be overtaken by a Dundee United team which finally seems to have steadied itself following the departure of Craig Levein.

The last time these two met there was optimistic chatter of them shaking up the SPL and mounting a challenge to the Old Firm's grip on the top slots. But that was back in October when they fought out a draw at Easter Road and while Hibs felt that this could have been another day of shared spoils, when it came to carving out real chances they simply left it too late to stake any realistic claim.

"It's disappointing," admitted Hibs defender Ian Murray. "Right from the start we never got going. We were dominated in the first half and United deserved to be in front at the interval. I thought we were decent in the second half and I thought we could have nicked a point with a bit of luck. Even though we didn't play well in the first half I still thought we defended fairly well. But we lost a poor goal to be honest and it's cost us dear in the end."

That goal came in the 39th minute and was laced with a bit of controversy. Both managers conceded David Goodwillie had perhaps been offside when he was played in but no-one was arguing about Danny Swanson's finish after the striker had played the ball through in front of him and he slotted it low beyond the out-stretched goalkeeper. It was a blow for Hibs custodian Graeme Smith, as he had done a sterling job maintaining a clean sheet until that point.

He had to produce a great save in the second minute, combining wonderful reflexes and agility with strong arms to dive and palm away a deflected Paul Dixon free-kick. He was also decisive in slapping away another good delivery just as it was about to connect with Andy Webster's head at the back post in the 26th minute.

But it was his performance at the 36th minute penalty which was most eye-catching. Not only did he save Goodwillie's initial spot kick, he was up on his feet again swiftly to shrink the target the United player had to aim for with the follow-up header. There was a degree of justice served in that as the initial foul by Chris Hogg on Prince Buaben appeared to take place just outside the box.

"It wasn't a penalty. I've seen it and it was outside the box," said Murray. "But if it had gone in and it was 2-0 to Dundee United at the break then it would not have been against the run of play. They deserved to be going in two or three goals up but thankfully at half-time it was only one."

United were just a better force to be reckoned with, creatively, physically and mentally. They were the team dominating the midfield, allowing them to get service to their own frontline and cutting off the supply to Hibs' dangermen. Out wide, Swanson and Craig Conway offered drive and willingness, while Gomis and Buaben where just too strong for Hibs to contain. Gomis in particular was alive to any chink in Hibs' armour and used his wiles as well as his determination to exploit them. They also linked up better as a balanced outfield unit than Hibs.

The Edinburgh side actually had little to offer in reply until the second half, when tactical changes and, no doubt, a John Hughes half-time rollicking provoked more from them.

Smith did have to pull off another save, this time with his legs, from an early Jon Daly effort but the men in front of him finally got a better grip on the game and did not allow the home side to have everything their own way.

But still, getting enough quality ball in the final third was a problem. Murray played in Liam Miller in the 63rd minute but Dusan Pernis blocked and David Wotherspoon had another opportunity a minute later as Hibs pushed up the flanks. And it was a beautiful diagonal from Murray on one flank to Wotherspoon coming in from the other which gave Hibs their best effort. The youngster took it on the volley wonderfully but was denied by first the inside of the post and then the keeper who had scurried across to prevent it sneaking in.

It meant United enjoyed their third victory and third clean sheet in succession and, according to Gomis, they have regrouped since the departure of Levein. "Because the gaffer had been here for three years, when he left everybody was shocked, so it wasn't easy to cope with but now we are back on track," he said, adding that although Hibs still have a game in hand and could leapfrog them, he thought United's third place in the league portrayed what the squad all believes, that they are currently the best of the rest behind the Old Firm.

Chairman Stephen Thompson is still looking for a new manager who can keep them there but with Peter Houston now doing such a good job in the interim, the chances are he won't be in a massive rush.