Dundee United manager Peter Houston has claimed that the better team lost as his side went down 2-1 at Hearts in the Scottish Premier League on Sunday.

Ryan Stevenson scored twice for the hosts in the opening half at Tynecastle before Keith Watson pulled a goal back for the visitors.

"I thought the team that played the better football lost," said Houston. "We found ourselves chasing the game and second half I thought we absolutely pummelled them.

"We were the away team, but we pinned Hearts back and they were desperately hanging on. They cleared everything we threw into the box, but I'm walking away from here with nothing and I feel a wee bit hard done by."

United are back in SPL action on Boxing Day when they face St Johnstone at Tannadice Park.