Handball. Penalty to Hibs.

Hibs fans are crying for a penalty as Marvin Bartley goes down under a challenge from Sean Dillon. Nothing in it...

Suddenly United are through on the goal as Billy McKay races on to a long ball over the top but here comes big Conrad Logan to make a good block with his considerable bulk.

The pattern remains the same. United struggling to retain possession, Hibs bossing the midfield and getting into good wide positions but not finding the killer delivery.

Hibs skipper David Gray gets his head to a deep cross at the back post and United defender Sean Dillon is on his knees in the six yard box as he cuts it out with his noggin, allowing keeper Eiji Kawashima to gather. Unorthodox but effective...

Hibs continue to press, with full-backs David Gray and Lewis Stevenson given acres of room to operate in.

The roof of the net is rippling as Hibs midfielder Fraser Fyvie strides forward and rifles in a dipping shot from 22 yards.

Hibs are looking the more menacing side in possession as Lewis Stevenson fizzes a low ball into the danger zone after a series of neat passes. Perhaps he should have had a dig from the edge of the box?

What was all the fuss about? The new surface looks great.

Here was Alan Stubbs's take before kick-off: "It's good. I honestly believe, since I've walked on it, it's firm and in better condition than when we played the League Cup final. So, I'm not envisaging any problems with the pitch whatsoever. It's fresh grass: let's get on it and play..."     

Image source, SNS

Hibs full-back Lewis Stevenson loves to get forward and an early foray ends with Jason Cummings sending an ambitious overhead effort off target.

"He fills out the jersey quite well," BBC Radio Scotland commentator Paul Mitchell on Hibs' debut goalie Conrad Logan.

He's a big unit right enough... His first touch is a confident, no-nonsense kick up the park

We're off at Hampden Park!

Image source, SNS

Not long to go now... How do you see this one going? It's really hard to call, with both sides in such wretched form.

Leaky defences suggest a few goals...

The teams may be in different divisions but they have met already this season, with Hibs enjoying a very comfortable 3-0 win in the League Cup.

They met in last season's League Cup too, serving up an absolute belter of a 3-3 draw, with United prevailing after a penalty shoot-out.

Henri Anier gets a pre-match cuddle from Hibs star Jason Cummings. The Dundee United striker was on loan at Easter Road earlier this season. He's on the bench today. Could he have a say?

Image source, SNS

This is Hibs' second visit to Hampden this season since they were at the national stadium for last month's League Cup final. On that occasion they could not profit from a dominant first-half display and were undone by a last-minute Ross County goal.

However, that has been Hibs' only defeat to Premiership opposition this season, with Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Johnstone disposed of in the League Cup and Hearts and Inverness CT taken care of in this competition.

Having won just six league games all season, it's been a bleak campaign for Tannadice fans. 

The Scottish Cup has provided some much needed cheer, with wins over Airdrieonians, Partick Thistle and Ross County getting them to the last four.

Could a win here spark a late revival in the league?

"We want to reach the final 100%, so that brings pressure. It means a lot. It's something to look forward to if we reach the final. For the supporters and the players, the final is a wonderful day. Our league campaign has been miserable, so hopefully we can reach the final, but it's not over in the league."