Dundee went down to a 3-0 defeat against Hearts in sweltering heat at Tynecastle this afternoon. Kenneth Vargas gave the Jam Tarts a 1-0 lead at half time. Alan Forrest made it two early in the second half and Lawrence Forrest’s late goal completed the scoring. The Dark Blues matched Hearts for much of the game, but the Jam Tarts had a decisive edge at either end of the park.
There were three changes to the Dee starting eleven. Ryan Astley made his first start replacing the injured Ricki Lamie. Malachi Boateng and Michael Mellon also came in for Mo Sylla and Scott Tiffoney, who were on the bench.
Hearts kicked off in scorching sunshine and were soon testing the Dark Blues’ defence. At the end of Hearts’ most dangerous early attack Ryan Astley made a vital interception to stop Kenneth Vargas’s cutback reaching Alan Forest in front of goal.
Dundee conceded possession in midfield too often in the opening exchanges in the face of Hearts’ hustling. The Dark Blues gradually worked their way into contention making it a more balanced game but without setting up worthwhile chances.
After 20 minutes Hearts had the game’s best, and only real chance in the opening half hour. Jon McCracken saved well from Vargas’s close range header after Lawrence Shankland dinked a clever cross to the far post.
Midway through each half there was a break for a couple of minutes to allow the players to take in some water and a spot of coaching advice.
The game went through a quiet spell after the first water break. Dundee had a few promising attacks, but it was Hearts who stepped up to take the opening goal.
From the corner of the penalty area on the left Barrie McKay struck a firm cross beyond the far post. The pace of the cross took out the Dee defence and VARGAS raced in, stretched and got a vital touch to give McCracken no chance of saving.
Dundee were given a fleeting moment of hope late in the first half when Lyall Cameron’s shot struck Stephen Kingsley’s arm and referee Nick Walsh pointed to the penalty spot. It looked very much like the crucial penalty Hearts were given against the Dark Blues in February. This time, however, after a lengthy VAR review the referee changed his mind and awarded Dundee a corner.
The Dark Blues had a promising opening to the second half and launched a series of attacks but without creating any real danger. Instead of building on that start Dundee conceded a soft second goal that always looked like taking the game out of the Dee’s reach.
Ryan Howley came on at half time as a straight replacement for Jordan McGhee, who was unwell, and he seemed to have won the ball off Barrie McKay inside Hearts’ half. McKay recovered and the Dee midfield and defence had switched off, perhaps expecting a turnover of possession. McKay had all the space he wanted to advance and send Alan Forrest clear. McCracken raced from his goal but pulled out of what would probably have been a red card challenge as FORREST touched the ball past him and shot into the empty net.
Dundee responded well and Craig Gordon had to make two decent saves in quick succession. He dealt well with Luke McCowan’s low shot from 16 yards and then a minute later turned Owen Dodgson’s volley onto the post.
Hearts’ substitute James Wilson brought a good save from McCracken after a fast break. Ryan Howley hit an 18 yard narrowly wide at the end of a prolonged Dee attack.
Apart from those near things the game seemed to be drifting to its conclusion amidst a flurry of substitutions. Dundee sent on a third striker, Curtis Main, in an attempt to stage a comeback. It almost paid off with a goal as the clock was about to tick over into added time.
Craig Gordon spilled a high cross under pressure but recovered to make a fingertip save to touch Aaron Donnelly’s shot round the post.
Hearts then punished Dundee with a third goal. The Dark Blues were trying hard to grab a late goal and were caught short at the back. Scott Fraser sent Lawrence SHANKLAND into the penalty area and the Scotland international took a touch and scored confidently.
A three goal defeat was harsh on the Dark Blues. Hearts were not as dominant as the score suggests. However, Dundee made mistakes at key moments, and couldn’t take any of the few chances that came their way. As in the last game between the clubs, at the ScotFoam Stadium in February, Hearts got the benefit of the doubt with a marginal VAR penalty decision. Overall the Jam Tarts deserved their win but many supporters will be wondering how the handball rule, and the VAR process, work in practice.
Hearts 4-1-3-2
Lembikisa (Sibbick 62), Kingsley, Rowles, Cochrane
Baningime
Forrest (Oda 71), Devlin (Denhom 71), McKay (Fraser 78)
Vargas (Wilson 62), Shankland (c)
Unused subs: Clark (gk), Kent, Grant, Tagawa.
Goals: Vargas (35), Forrest (53), Shankland (90).
Booked: none.
Dundee FC 3-5-2
McCracken
Portales, Astley, Donnelly
McGhee (Howley at half time), Cameron (Main 82), Boateng (Mulligan 77), McCowan (c), Dodgson (Costelloe 68)
Bakayoko, Mellon
Unused subs: Sharp (gk), Tiffoney, Robinson, Robertson, Sylla.
Booked: Bakayoko (foul on McKay), McCowan (foul on Devlin), Donnelly (foul on Oda).
Referee: Nick Walsh. Assistants: Sean Carr, John McCrossan. Fourth Official: Craig Napier. VAR: David Dickinson. Assistant VAR: Gary Hilland.
Report: James Christie.
Attendance: 18,757.
Report: James Christie
