Hearts started very well and pushed Dundee back and they looked eager to get the first goal. Ryan Astley made a vital interception to stop Kenneth Vargas’s cutback reaching Alan Forest in front of goal. It was a quick break away and could have been a goal.
Dundee were giving the ball away too much in midfield but slowly they were getting better as the game went on. Jon McCracken saved well from Vargas’s close range header after Lawrence Shankland dinked a clever cross to the far post.
Soon after Hearts scored their first goal when a good ball to the back post and Vargas scored with a neat finish.
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.
Dundee started the second half well and looked a lot better, Ryan Howley came on at half time as a straight replacement for Jordan McGhee, Then they lost a sloopy goal when they switched off and Hearts were able to break for Forrest to round McCracken and tap the ball home.
It was a big blow to our hope of getting something from the game, At least Dundee went forward and forced Craig Gordan into make two good saves from Luke McCowan’s low shot from 16 yards and then a minute later turned Owen Dodgson’s volley onto the post.
Soon after Gordan turned Aaron Donnelly’s shot round the post, after he dropped a corner. It was as close as Dundee came to scoring. Hearts scored again with a good move for Shankland to net to make the final score 3-0.
Dundee were a wee bit outclassed today. The penalty Var check was hard for them, and after l have watched it on Sunday morning it should have been given. It does not make sense that one week that is given and the next week it is not.
A great support through and everyone enjoyed their day out in the Capital. Next game is at Ibrox l just hope they get something from the game.
Dundee: 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.
Referee: Nick Walsh.
Att: 18,757
