Monday November 10th 2025
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Katie Gregory
Hearts were forced to settle for a point after letting an early lead slip against Dundee United at Tynecastle. Alexandros Kyziridis opened the scoring, but Luca Stephenson’s
header ensured the visitors left Edinburgh with a draw.
Derek McInnes made three changes to his Hearts side before kick -off. Beni Baningime, ever-present in the last eight league matches, was missing from the squad, while Tómas Magnússon earned a place in midfield after scoring from the bench against Dundee.
Craig Halkett returned in central defence and Cláudio Braga came back into the forward line in place of Blair Spittal.
For Dundee United, there were early worries in their lineup. Will Ferry and CraigSibbald were both absent, and Jim Goodwin’s side looked lighter in midfield because of it. Iurie Iovu came into the back three, Dario Naamo filled in for Ferry, Panutche Camara stepped into Sibbald’s place, and Ivan Dolcek returned after a spell out of the starting line-up.
From the first whistle, the game was lively but scrappy, with neither side finding much rhythm.
The first real threat came in the tenth minute, when Zac Sapsford found the net for United – but the flag went up immediately as he was a good yard offside. Only moments later, Magnússon forced Yevhen Kucherenko into a smart save with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
United broke quickly in response, and Amar Fatah’s low effort was gathered comfortably by Alexander Schwolow.
In the 18th minute, Fatah slipped in behind Oisin McEntee but scuffed his finish, the flag once again rescuing Hearts’ high line.
A short corner in the 25th minute fell kindly for Alexandros Kyziridis on the edge of the penalty box, and his curling shot tapped the post briefly before bouncing off Kucherenko and rolling across the line perfectly.
United kept probing, looking to expose space behind the defence. Dolcek burst through but Schwolow was alert and raced off his line, the ball hitting off Dolcek and behind for a goal-kick.
Just before half-time, United found their equaliser. Amar Fatah’s corner met the head of Luca Stephenson, unmarked in the middle of the box. He guided it low into the corner – Schwolow got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out.
Half-time arrived with the sides level and frustration rising among the home support, with Hearts unable to find their usual fluency.
As the second half began, Lawrence Shankland started to drift deeper, linking play and creating openings for others as he searched for a way through United’s disciplined shape.
In the 59th minute, Kyziridis found Steinwender with a clever pass inside the box, but Kristian Keresztes did enough to put him off, and Kucherenko gathered.
The keeper was called into action again moments later, blocking a low drive from Djeidi Gassama.
United made changes soon after, with captain Simon Murray and Yan Dhanda replacing Emile Acquah and Dray Wright as they chased a second goal. Hearts followed with their own substitution in the 70th minute, as Eduardo Ageu replaced Magnússon to add fresh energy in midfield.
The visitors thought they had snatched the lead in the 78th minute when Sapsford burst clear down the flank, beat his man and squared for Fatah to finish – but once again the flag went up, with VAR confirming the Australian had gone just too early.
Only minutes later – a corner swung in and Sapsford was there to turn it home, but the flag was raised for the third time.
As the final whistle blew, there was a sense of frustration more than relief. Both teams had left everything on the pitch, but neither found the touch to tilt it their way.
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