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This result, perhaps more than any other, highlighted just how much things have changed at Tynecastle. Fans are now turning up in their droves expecting wins rather than hoping for them.
You can actually feel it. And it’s precisely why a draw with Dundee Utd felt like a defeat come full-time.
Such is life at the top of the table. With each passing week, the pressure ramps up.
Of course, nobody associated with the club would have it any other way. This, they hope, will just be a minor stumbling block on the road to becoming champions.
One subdued performance certainly isn’t one to cause any panic. Hearts are still unbeaten, after all.
This, rather, was just a friendly reminder that things aren’t going to be straightforward. A reminder that the Tynecastle side is a long way from the finished article.
Alexandros Kyziridis celebrates with his team-mates after Hearts take the lead against United
Luca Stephenson equalises for Dundee United on the stroke of half-time at Tynecastle
Dundee Utd were thoroughly deserving of their point, by the way. Jim Goodwin’s men were right at it from the start. For all the possession enjoyed by the hosts, they did little with it.
The Tannadice men were disciplined, organised, and carried a real threat on the break throughout. On another day, they could have taken all three points. Maybe they should have.
The manager certainly thought so. The fact he didn’t make a single change in personnel over the 90-plus minutes suggested he was happy with what he saw.
His side have now taken points off Hibernian, Rangers and Hearts on the road this season. If they can find a little consistency, there’s no reason why European football can’t be the target.
It was the visitors who settled quickest here, and thought they’d got off to a dream start within five minutes when Zac Sapsford dinked over Alexander Schwolow to put his side in front. The offside flag cut the celebrations short.
Tomas Magnusson — fresh from scoring his first goal for Hearts in last weekend’s 4-0 thumping of Dundee — then collected a loose ball on the edge of the area before firing a venomous left-footed strike towards the top corner. Yevhen Kucherenko reached high to his right to ensure it didn’t go in.
Pierre Landry Kabore was next to try his luck from the same position, but dragged his strike wide. Claudio Braga got the same result. For whatever reason, United seemed quite happy to keep providing the space to have a pop.
At the other end, Amar Fatah gave Oisin McEntee all sorts of bother. He should have done much better, mind you, when played through by Dario Naamo in the 17th minute.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes has raised expectations with their unbeaten league campaign
Perhaps he was guilty of overthinking it. Perhaps he didn’t quite realise how much time he had. Either way, the finish beyond the far post was dreadful.
Not long after, the deadlock was broken. Dundee Utd weren’t alert to the quick corner, with Braga able to roll the ball in to the path of Alexandros Kyziridis 25 yards from goal.
The Greek took a touch to settle himself before curling an effort towards the bottom corner. Kucherenko thought the post had come to his rescue, only to feel the ball cannon off his back before nestling in the net. Unfortunate, but it’s not as though United hadn’t been warned.
Fatah almost provided an instant response, ghosting in behind McEntee once again. This time, he forced a decent stop from Schwolow, who got a strong left hand on the shot to divert it away from danger.
Credit to both sides. It was end-to-end stuff.
When United get it right — as they did on more than once — they are as good to watch as anyone in the top flight. It just doesn’t happen often enough.
No doubt they need more from Ivan Dolcek. After starting the campaign with five goals in his first five league games, the Croatian has gone right off the boil. He was quiet again here.
Their leveller arrived on the stroke of half-time. Fatah’s arrowed ball to the back stick from a corner was met by Luca Stephenson, whose header beat Schwolow.
It was a wonderfully executed set-play. Woeful from Hearts, though. And not at all like them. Dealing with crosses has — for the most part — been meat and drink for the likes of Stuart Findlay and Craig Halkett.
Lawrence Shankland — deservedly called up to the Scotland squad for their World Cup qualifying double-header — flashed a volley over the bar from a deflected Kyziridis delivery as the Jambos looked to begin the second period on the front foot.
Fatah fired over from a decent position at the other end. He then saw his goal following a fine team move chopped off after Sapsford had gone a fraction too early in the build-up.
The last time these teams met, it was decided by a last-gasp Findlay goal. There was to be no late show from Hearts here. It was too frantic, too forced.
They huffed and puffed, but in truth, they didn’t deserve anything more.
HEARTS (4-4-2): Schwolow 6; McEntee 4 (Kingsley 46), Halkett 5.5, Findlay 6, Milne 6.5 (Kerjota 80); Braga 6 (Kabangu 87), Magnusson 6 (Ageu 64), DEVLIN 8, Kyziridis 6; Kabore 4 (Steinwender 46), Shankland 5.5.
Booked: Kyziridis, Halkett.
Manager: Derek McInnes 5.
DUNDEE UTD (3-4-3): Kucherenko 6; Iovu 6, Esselink 6, Keresztes 6.5; Stephenson 7, Sevelj 6, Camara 7, Naamo 6; Fatah 7, Sapsford 7, Dolcek 5.5.
Booked: Dolcek, Fatah, Iovu, Naamo.
Manager: Jim Goodwin 7.
Referee: John Beaton 5.
Attendance: 18,755.
