Pierre Landry Kabore scored a double as William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts cranked up the pressure on title rivals Rangers and Celtic by easing to a 3-0 away win over nine-man Dundee United.
The Jambos struck early through Kabore and then doubled their lead with an Alexandros Kyziridis penalty shortly after home winger Amar Fatah was sent off.
Kabore then sealed a comfortable victory after United substitute Pan Camara was dismissed as Derek McInnes’ rampant league leaders soared seven points clear of Rangers and nine ahead of Celtic. Both Glasgow sides play on Sunday.
Pierre Landry Kabore scored twice for Hearts
United handed a debut to former Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, who was pitched straight in for his first appearance since August.
Hearts made three changes to the side which started last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Celtic, with goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow restored alongside Jordi Altena and Oisin McEntee.
With rain having lashed the Tannadice pitch for much of the past fortnight, both sides struggled to get any rhythm in the opening moments.
But Hearts came to life in the 11th minute and took the lead with a well-worked move. Harry Milne played a one-two with Claudio Braga on the left and burst to the byline before sending a low delivery across the face of goal for Kabore to tap home from close range.
Alexandros Kyziridis also netted from the penalty spot
United’s hopes of a recovery were dealt a huge blow in the 24th minute when Fatah was sent off. The Swedish winger caught Marc Leonard on the ankle and was initially booked before being red-carded following a VAR intervention.
The situation got even worse for the hosts in the 29th minute as Hearts doubled their lead. The Jambos were awarded a free-kick on the left edge of the box after Braga was fouled while trying to step away from Ryan Strain.
VAR again came into play, ruling that the offence had occurred in the penalty area and Kyziridis stepped up to send Maynard-Brewer the wrong way from the spot for his first goal since late October.
Tuesday 3rd February 7:30pm
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Home manager Jim Goodwin responded by replacing Krisztian Keresztes with former Barnsley defender Neil Farrugia, who was sent on for his debut.
With Hearts in full command, Kabore saw a header from a corner blocked by Maynard-Brewer, who then had to push an angled strike from Milne over the bar.
The visitors remained in the ascendancy after the break and Tomas Magnusson headed over from McEntee’s cross early in the second half.
After United substitute Zac Sapsford threatened on a couple of occasions, the home side’s hopes of getting back into the game were killed off in the 75th minute when Camara was sent off for headbutting Leonard as the hosts waited to take a free-kick. United coach Dave Bowman was also sent to the stands for his protests.
Kabore, who had been denied by a double save from Maynard-Brewer shortly before, then notched his second of the night in the 81st minute when his shot from 10 yards squirmed beyond the home ‘keeper after he was teed up by Magnusson.
