CRAIG Levein praised his players for a professional performance as Hearts moved six points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership with a clinical victory over Dundee.
On the back of Saturday’s win over Aberdeen, it leaves Hearts in buoyant mood ahead of Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final against Celtic at Murrayfield, and ensures the Tynecastle side will remain top of the table for at least another week.
Levein said: “That was one of the less stressful days that I’ve had. We started the game well, scored early and, with Dundee in a difficult place just now, that was really important.
“The second goal put us is a position that I hope we would never lose from. This game on Sunday now becomes our focus and we’re in good form.”
In contrast, this was a desperate home debut for new Dundee manager Jim McIntyre who has now watched his side concede seven goals in his first two matches in charge.
The result leaves Dundee anchored to the foot of the table, having now also picked up the unwanted record of losing six consecutive top-flight games at home for the first time in their history.
McIntyre said: “There are positives, but we need to eradicate self-destructing. There might be a bit of pain before it gets better, but it will get better.”
A Hearts victory – their first at Dens Park in four attempts – was all but secured within the opening 15 minutes. They took an early lead, soon doubled it and looked so composed in possession that there seemed no way back for a Dundee side labouring to gain any kind of foothold in the contest.
When opportunity finally presented itself via the penalty spot after 22 minutes, Dundee failed to capitalise. Calvin Miller was eager enough to take the ball after Jimmy Dunne had ushered Ben Kallman to the turf but sent his kick woefully wide. The home support could only have sounded more in anguish had they learned a beloved family pet was soon to be put to sleep.
With that, Dundee’s chances to claw their way back into the game had come and gone, leaving McIntyre to lament what might have been.
“When you get opportunities you have got to put them away because that lifts the belief to the next level to go again, but unfortunately we couldn't tuck away any opportunities,” he added. “Obviously the penalty is the biggest chance and we've got a great chance with a header as well.
“You come out second half and the next goal is so important, and unfortunately we have made another mistake, take a poor touch in the wider area, don't clear it and then Hearts cut us open. From then on it's damage limitation.”
Hearts did not create an abundance of chances but were clinical with most of them. They were given a helping hand with their opening goal after two minutes when Lewis Spence clumsily bundled into Harry Cochrane. Oliver Bozanic’s majestic left-foot free kick from 25 yards dropped just inside Jack Hamilton’s post and, crucially, away from the goalkeeper’s outstretched glove.
Dundee contributed needlessly to the concession of Hearts’ second goal, too. Elton Ngwatala dithered and was robbed of the ball and, while he cried foul, Levein’s side hared forward on the counter. Michael Smith’s cross was missed by MacLean, who was too cute with the attempted flick, but Naismith was loitering behind him to thump in his 11th club goal of the season.
MacLean clipped the crossbar with a chipped effort, before a terrific stop from Hamilton prevented him from making it 3-0 just before half-time following an adroit flick by Naismith to tee him up.
The former St Johnstone forward, however, would eventually get the goal his endeavour merited within 20 seconds of the re-start.
Dundee, perhaps distracted by the delayed entry of their half-time substitute, left Callumn Morrison in space wide on the right and MacLean jabbed his cut-back over the line. The sight of Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal swinging on his crossbar as play continued at the other end told the story of the night for both clubs.
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