Dundee United vs Hibernian. Scottish Premiership.
Tannadice ParkAttendance500.
Match report as Hibernian beat Dundee United 3-1; Nesbitt, Cadden and Murphy scored for the visitors; it's back-to-back wins for new Hibs boss Shaun Maloney; United have now lost five games in a row
Sunday 26 December 2021 20:55, UK
Hibernian remain fifth in the Premiership table with a comfortable 3-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.
Shaun Maloney's men opened the scoring in the first half through Kevin Nisbet with Chris Cadden netting their second after the break.
United substitute Declan Glass scored what proved to be a late consolation goal for the home side before Jamie Murphy made it three for Hibs in stoppage time.
The victory was the Edinburgh club's third Premiership win in a row but United have now lost five games in succession and have slipped to seventh in the table.
There was an early chance for Hibs winger Drey Wright in just the second minute but he dragged his 22-yard shot wide of Benjamin Siegrist's right-hand post.
Maloney's men took a grip on the game, dominating possession but without creating clear-cut opportunities.
However, the breakthrough eventually arrived in the 38th minute.
Cadden had a shot blocked by Scott McMann but the ball broke to Martin Boyle whose strike was fired home from close range by Nisbet.
United, though, were incensed that the goal had been allowed, claiming for offside. However, after consulting with his assistant David Roome, referee Willie Collum stood by his original decision with Hibs heading in at half-time in front.
Hibs keeper Matt Macey finally had a save to make in the 49th minute after Nicky Clark had been chopped down by Paul Hanlon just outside the visitors box.
The United striker stepped up to take the free-kick and tried to catch out Macey, hitting the ball low around the wall but the keeper was alert to the danger and made a save at his left-hand post.
Boyle then had a chance at the other end as he cut in from the left along the edge of the United box but his low shot was easily gathered by Siegrist.
Macey was called into action again in the 71st minute as Adrian Sporle hit a fierce angled drive that the keeper managed to push to safety at the expense of a corner.
United had used all three substitutions when Charlie Mulgrew had to go off injured in the 77th minute, and a minute later Hibs made it two against the 10-man Tangerines.
Boyle burst into the United box and cut the ball back to Cadden who clinically drilled a shot low past Siegrist into the bottom corner.
Glass pulled a goal back netted in the 90th minute when he cut in from the right to lash the ball high past Macey, but Hibs ensured there would be no late turnaround as they added a third deep into stoppage time through Murphy's curling effort.
Dundee United boss Tam Courts: "There's nothing to report on that (Tony Watt signing a pre-contract with the club). I've been speaking to the club in terms of what we need in reinforcements in January and we would like to strengthen up the pitch in terms of creativity and in goal scoring.
"That player is contracted to another club so it's difficult to speak about that.
"I would like to think we can bring someone in during January or at the end of the season."
When asked directly if Watt had signed a pre-contract, Courts said: "I'm not aware of anyone signing a pre-contract as of yet."
Hibs boss Shaun Maloney: "I thought in the first half in particular we were excellent.
"There was a spell when Dundee United came into it and were more dominant than us but I am really pleased with the way we played.
"It was a step up from Aberdeen because when we did dominate, we created and had shots.
"That's the name of the game, there's no point keeping the ball for however long when there are no chances at the end of it.
"It was excellent and I couldn't have asked the players for any more.
"They have been amazing, the staff have worked extremely hard since we came in.
"I'd love to take the credit for this, but it's the staff and players.".
Dundee United will be at home to St Mirren when the Scottish Premiership returns after the winter break.
Hibernian travel to face manager Shaun Maloney's former team Celtic on January 17.
