8,253 fans turned up at Tannadice to see Dundee United take all the points on offer last night.

That's how you do it. Action Images / Lee Smith Livepic
Danny Cadamarteri grabbed a debut double to earn Dundee United three points against 10-man Hearts. The former Huddersfield striker scored from a fourth-minute penalty and secured the points with a late counter-attack when he was one on one with Marian Kello in the Hearts goal. Michael Stewart was sent off in his first game since being handed the Hearts captaincy as Csaba Laszlo's side suffered a blow ahead of their Europa League play-off against Dinamo Zagreb. The 52nd-minute red card - Hearts' fifth in four visits to Tannadice - stifled any comeback attempts as Hearts again paid the price for their poor disciplinary record. They were already missing vice-captain Marius Zaliukas, who is serving a four-game ban following his four red cards last season. Laszlo handed winger Suso Santana and striker David Witteveen debuts in a positive formation but they were unable to breach a United defence which featured encouraging introductions for goalkeeper Nicky Weaver and on-loan Rangers defender Andy Webster.

There was a new look to the Hearts defence and it showed enough vulnerability to cause concern ahead of Thursday's clash in Croatia. Right-back Eggert Jonsson gifted the penalty when he clumsily tripped Danny Swanson just inside the box after the United midfielder had cut past him. And Ismael Bouzid, who partnered fellow debutant Dawid Kucharski in the centre with Jose Goncalves at left-back following his year-long loan spell at Nuremberg, was fortunate not to concede another. They were tested by the running of David Goodwillie and Cadamarteri, who slotted the penalty into the corner despite Kello getting a hand to the ball. The early goal saw United sit deeper but their lead had not been troubled before Bouzid's sliding challenge felled Cadamarteri as he ran on to Goodwillie's flick in the 18th minute. The Algeria defender took nothing of the ball but Steve Conroy waved play on. Weaver made his first save midway through the half when he dived to catch a long-range effort from Ruben Palazuelos. Witteveen then headed over under pressure from Webster, who was roundly booed by the visiting fans whenever he was on the ball as he made only his 12th club appearance since buying his way out of his Hearts contract three years ago.

Most of the Hearts threat was coming from set-pieces and Goncalves was only inches away from connecting with David Obua's curling free-kick into the goalmouth. Witteveen evaded Webster to pounce on Obua's knock-down following another free-kick but Weaver was off his line quickly to smother and the former Manchester City keeper dived low to push away Obua's effort just before the break. Goodwillie shot high and wide after beating Bouzid to Paul Dixon's long ball but Hearts were soon at a further disadvantage when Stewart, who had been booked for a first-half foul on Swanson, earned a second yellow card when he slid in late on Scott Robertson. Laszlo brought on Ian Black for his debut in place of Witteveen and his bad tackle on Swanson sparked a confrontation that saw both players and Santana booked. Kello brilliantly turned over Goodwillie's controlled volley following a cross from substitute Craig Conway, and Webster headed against the outside of the post following the winger's deep corner. Although Hearts saw a decent share of possession, they struggled to create chances and Cadamarteri finished off the contest in the 85th minute. Prince Buaben sent him clear from deep inside his half after United had cleared a free-kick and Cadamarteri slid the ball past Kello, who had raced well outside his box to try to close down the Englishman. Weaver further frustrated the visitors when he pushed over Jonsson's header.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein was "thrilled" by Danny Cadamarteri's debut after the striker netted both goals in a 2-0 victory over Hearts. He said: "His goals thrilled me because it has been a while since he scored 20 goals in a season. I thought his work-rate was superb and his energy levels. For his height, he is fantastic in the air. You wouldn't want to fight him, he is a strong guy. He knows the game, he knows the position. We need an experienced striker and he has done a good job for us. He really led the line well and allowed Goodwillie to play round about him. I've seen David play better but he showed in little flashes that the two of them - I hesitate to say it so early - but they might work well together."

Hearts tested Nicky Weaver several times after the early opener but Stewart being shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Scott Robertson in the 52nd minute did nothing for the maroon cause. Manager Csaba Laszlo was frustrated that the Scotland cap did not show more experience but he took it easy on the midfielder. Hearts accumulated 11 red cards last season but Laszlo felt the latest was only a "small mistake". He said: "This will be dealt with internally. It's not a big deal, anyone can get a yellow card. You must handle the situation better, especially if you have so many international games and you are a very experienced player. I must protect my player. It's not Michael Stewart who lost the game, we lost it together. This was unlucky. It would be different if Michael Stewart punched somebody or showed a big piece of indiscipline. The performance was not so bad, we missed some good chances."

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