In an exciting Christmas Eve match at Tannadice, Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon sustained a terrible leg injury as his team twice came from behind to tie 2-2 with Dundee United.
After colliding with United attacker Steven Fletcher midway through the second half, the 39-year-old was carried off with his leg in a brace, and later images of the incident suggest the Scotland number one had done considerable damage.
The Jambos, who earned a draw with a stoppage-time penalty from Lawrence Shankland, also suffered injuries to crucial centre-backs Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley in a game in which both teams had penalties reversed after VAR reviews.
Hearts used the same lineup that defeated Kilmarnock 3-1 in their opening match following the World Cup break. Arnaud Djoum, a former Hearts midfielder, Scott McMann, and Ian Harkes replaced Ross Graham, Craig Sibbald, and Jamie McGrath in the United starting lineup from their last game against Aberdeen six weeks prior.
When Halkett, who has had a difficult 2022 due to injuries, stumbled awkwardly while shepherding the ball back to goalkeeper Gordon, Hearts were forced to make an early substitution. Defender Kye Rowles of Australia took his position.
When Fletcher, a former Scotland striker, latches onto an over-the-top pass from Aziz Behich in the 20th minute, his half-volley from 20 yards out deflects off Rowles and beats Gordon at his right-hand post.
In the 31st minute, Josh Ginnelly nearly provided a reaction for Hearts when he pounced on a beautiful pass from Barrie McKay and raced into the United area, but he cruelly misfired his shot over the crossbar.
When Kingsley and Djoum collided while attempting to win a corner in the 38th minute, the visitors lost a second center-back to injury. Toby Sibbick was substituted in Kingsley's place.
However, Hearts tied the score in the 40th minute when Cammy Devlin won a challenge outside the United area and pushed the ball through for Smith to score from 15 yards out by shooting past Mark Birighitti.
When the ball struck Djoum's hand as he slid in to confront Devlin in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, Hearts was given a penalty. Referee Colin Steven overturned his judgement after receiving advice from VAR to reassess the incident on the grounds that it had hit the United midfielder's supporting arm.
Two minutes after the game's restart, Dylan Levitt curled in a beautiful goal from the edge of the box after Glenn Middleton set him up, and it turned out to be a crucial moment.
When Fletcher headed Middleton's cross in the direction of goal in the 58th minute, it appeared that the hosts would increase their lead, but Gordon brilliantly responded to tip it over the bar.
In the 69th minute, United was given a penalty after Gordon collided with Fletcher as he pounced on a Levitt ball. Referee Steven reversed his first judgement once more after being told to watch the tape, but the image of the Hearts goalkeeper being carried off in obvious anguish was a bigger problem.
Hearts persisted, though, and forced an equalizer in the last seconds when Shankland converted his 15th goal of the year from the penalty spot after it was determined that United substitute Graham had tugged on him.
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