Hearts Women emphatically returned to winning ways on Sunday, dismantling Dundee United 8-0 in a dominant display at Foundation Park. Manager Eva Olid made eight changes to the side that faced Glasgow City during the week, with Charlotte Parker-Smith, Emma Ilijoski, Sade Adamolekun, Kayla Jardine, Bayley Hutchison, Erin and Jess Husband, and Jackie Richards all starting the match in the City of Discovery.
The Tangerines have endured a tough start to the season, suffering heavy defeats to Celtic (9-0) and Hibs (6-0) in their opening two fixtures. The signs weren't favourable for Dundee United heading into this match, with Hearts having won all four league encounters between the sides over the past two seasons without conceding a goal.
Hearts underlined their dominance early on, taking the lead inside 90 seconds. Richards surged past her marker on the left wing, sending in a cross that went straight through to Jess Husband, who rifled the ball home at the far post.
Husband doubled the lead just eight minutes later, showcasing her composure to slot the ball home at the near post after finding space in the penalty area. Hearts continued their onslaught, with Bayley Hutchison scoring her first goal in maroon on 17 minutes. She expertly kept her cool to find the net from a tight angle, extending the lead to three goals.
Hearts' relentless pressure almost resulted in a fourth goal shortly after, but Eilidh Shore's effort from a flowing move cannoned back off the crossbar. The fourth goal arrived seven minutes before the break, with Jardine showing determination before finding Jess Husband on the right. Husband's low cross was driven home at the near post by Hutchison.
Just three minutes later, Hutchison came agonisingly close to completing a hat-trick, but her shot from the edge of the box struck the post.
Half-time: Dundee United 0-4 Hearts
Hearts suffered an early blow in the second half when Hutchison was forced off following a collision with Beth Mowatt. Despite this setback, the goals continued to flow for the visitors. Mowatt unfortunately let Naomi Powell's effort from the edge of the box squirm beneath her for Hearts' fifth on 53 minutes.
Adamolekun then took centre stage with a quick-fire brace. Shore once again dictated the play in midfield, delivering a perfectly weighted through ball to Adamolekun, who rounded Mowatt and slotted into the empty net.
Five minutes later, Adamolekun scored the best goal of the afternoon, showcasing her skills by cutting inside, beating two United players before slotting the ball home with the outside of her boot.
Parker-Smith remained untested throughout the match, but United came close to getting on the scoresheet when Leah Sidey played Katie Frew in, but her volley hit the post.
Hearts rounded off the scoring in style with the final kick of the ball. Substitute Monica Forsyth capped off a dominant performance with a low shot that kissed the inside of the post, adding the icing on the cake for the women in maroon.
Hearts: Parker-Smith, Ilijoski, Brownlie © (Broadrick, 70), Shore (Greenwood, 78), Jardine, Adamolekun (Beattie, 70), Hutchison (Timms, 50), E. Husband, J. Husband, Richards (Forsyth, 70), Powell
Subs: Johnstone, Forsyth, Timms, Beattie, Wade, Greenwood, Andrews, Girasoli, Broadrick
Dundee United: Mowatt, Martindale, Sidey ©, Christie, Cowie, Moodie, McFayden, Steedman, Burns, Timlin, Hutchison
Subs: Frew, Osborne, Logan, Taylor, Knight, Steedman