Hibs looked the livelier side from the first whistle; all the boys had recovered from the flu and were back to a strong starting eleven. Callum Booth started the game well, in the first minute, beating the defender on the left wing then crossing the ball into the box but sadly it was just too high for the in running David Love. The referee made sure he got off to a good start by warning Scott Taggart about his first tackle in the opening minutes. Thomas McCready was first to have a decent attempt at goal, his shot from about 30 yards out went just over. That infamous East Mains crossbar saved Dundee United from going behind when Loves volley, from another sublime Booth cross, struck the woodwork.
Calum Burns made his start of the season and had a good first half, holding the ball well and making some good runs, splitting the visitors midfield. He was involved in Hibs closest attempt on goal, he passed to Captain Fergus Bell whose short pass found Matty Welch, and his forceful shot was saved low down by the keeper who pushed it round the post for a corner. Welch had a shot from this corner but it went just over. Hibs werent afraid to have shots at goal, Lewi Horner, Aaron Chalmers and Scott Taggart all testing the defence and keeper. Bell was looking to get back to scoring ways, running onto a strong pass from Booth but his shot was weak and went wide. Burns made an excellent timed tackle on the edge of the Hibs box, the United player fell to ground easily and the referee showed the player a yellow card for diving. Just before half time Love took a heavy knock to his left thigh but after treatment was able to carry on. Hibs were the stronger team but were also giving away silly fouls.
Half time 0-0
Dundee United had their second shot at goal in the first minute of the second half, but the shot from the free kick went well over Lewis Grahams crossbar. Bell made a bright start, testing the keeper after he controlled the ball well then turned and shot but it didnt cause too much problems for the keeper. The referee was again in his pocket to show a yellow card to another United player for diving in the Hibs half. Craig Levein tactics showing through here! Booth was having another excellent match, linking up well with Scott Smith, making his usual strong and quick runs down the left wing. Booth won a corner and from which Chalmers header went sailing over. McCready is turning out to be a dead ball specialist, his precise free kick finding Bell whos shot was blocked, Chalmers tried to shoot with the rebound but the defence were strong and blocked again, the ball falling to Love who had time to control and shoot but his effort went well over, he should have done better here. Smith made a strong run from inside the Hibs half, beating two men he looked up and with his strong left foot he struck at goal but sadly his effort went wide, was a positive effort though.
Chalmers and Smith were very vocal as usual throughout the match, and half way through the half they were at loggerheads with each other, arguing across the pitch over some slack and confusing defending. The referee warned them to stop otherwise they would be booked, thankfully they did but the atmosphere did seem a bit frosty between them for the rest of the match. Bell was beginning to get a bit frustrated, he was working hard but his efforts were being closed down. With twenty minutes remaining Ross Caldwell replaced Love and he made an immediate impact by winning a corner after he sprinted to keep the ball in on the left wing.
Hibs were upping the tempo, Smith easily controlling and turning with the ball at the back and passing the ball up field to create another attack at the United defence. The referee was giving Hibs nothing, Bell was getting constantly fouled but he just waved play on. Then Smith went up for a header that he won but was fouled in the side as he did so, and amazingly the ref gave the foul against Smithy! Caldwell was playing really well, holding the ball up but just couldnt get a clear shot. McCready was next to have a shot at goal, his effort from the edge of the box just crept over the bar, this was to be Hibs final decent chance at goal. With just over five minutes remaining, Keith Murray and David Crawford came on for Horner and Burns, but neither had enough time to make a difference for Hibs to take all three points.
Keep an eye on here for details of next match which is Kilmarnock at home.
