Dundee Utd 1
Inverness CT 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

United were dealt a blow shortly before kick-off with the news that stand-out centre half Sean Dillon had failed a fitness test after suffering a dead leg in the midweek win against Hearts. The only change from the side that won that match 2-0 was to promote winger Danny Swanson from the bench in place of the Irishman, meaning the versatile Barry Douglas dropped back to left back to allow Paul Dixon to line up in the centre of defence, alongside skipper Jon Daly. There was also a surprise place on the bench for centre half Scott Severin, following his lengthy injury lay-off.

It was United’s first league game at Tannadice on a Saturday afternoon since the game against Kilmarnock more than four months previously and within the first couple of minutes Keith Watson created the first chance when he played in a good ball from the right flank to midweek matchwinner Johnny Russell, who showed some good spring to get above the defender but nodded over the bar. The first test for the makeshift United defence came after nine minutes. Jonny Hayes got the ball down well on the right and played a dangerous ball to the far post, where Richie Foran ghosted away from his man to get a header in that Dusan Pernis did well to hold comfortably. United were playing a patient game, with three centre midfielders trying to get on top of Caley’s 4-4-1-1 formation and a great team move nearly brought the breakthrough. Morgaro Gomis got the ball down in the centre of the park and played it out to Goodwillie on the left, who cleverly picked out Danny Swanson, who laid it back to Robertson driving to the edge of the box but he played his low effort wide of the post. Caley were looking like they could cause problems and on 20 minutes they nearly took the lead. Eric Odhiambo, who once spent a loan spell at Tannadice, broke through on the left edge of the six yard box then touched the ball back for a short range effort from Hogg that Pernis did brilliantly to save with his legs. Hogg followed in and tried to force the ball over the line and left Pernis – who held on firmly – nursing a nasty looking injury. The big Slovak managed to shake off the knock and continue. In the final 20 minutes of the first half, United began to get on top for the first time. First good work by Goodwillie to speed past a few Caley defenders nearly found David Robertson surging into the box but he couldn’t quite get to the cut back ahead of the Caley defender. Then Danny Swanson touched the ball past Russell Duncan before curling in a left foot effort that was deflected wide. United continued to exert pressure on their opponents and Goodwillie broke away on the right, touched it by Hogg onto his left foot that fired in an effort that Esson did well to parry behind for a corner. With three minutes to go before half time, the breakthrough came. A Barry Douglas corner was punched away to the right edge of the box, then David Robertson returned it into the box for Scott Robertson who nodded the ball down to Danny Swanson to side foot a perfect effort beyond Esson.

Caley had came out flying and were putting the pressure on in the early minutes of the second half. But a pacy break from Goodwillie found Swanson racing through on goal. He tried to speed past Tokely and was blocked – only for the penalty shouts from the Eddie Thompson Stand to be waved away. Close to the hour mark, a good move from Caley found substitute MacDonald and his effort from the edge of the box was well saved by Pernis who got down well. It had become an end-to-end match and United missed a golden opportunity two minutes later when Russell played a cross into the box that Jon Daly – suddenly finding himself in familiar territory in front of the opposition goalkeeper – nodded on to David Robertson. He looked certain to score when he found himself free only a few yards out but volleyed over the bar. With 25 minutes to run, United had another chance after winning a free kick on the right when Douglas was fouled after a clever ball from Russell. Swanson played the free kick into the box and Scott Robertson connected well but his effort was deflected over. A few minutes later, Swanson chested down a pass from Scott Robertson and his curving shot with the outside of his foot from nearly 30 yards dipped just over the bar. United’s defence was holding firm and restricting the number of chances Caley had, as shown with 20 minutes to go when a dangerous free kick from the impressive Jonny Hayes was brilliantly headed out for a corner by Jon Daly, who continues to look a natural playing at the heart of the defence. As the game ran into its final phase, some great harrying from Gomis won the ball in midfield. He played it to Goodwillie, who laid it off for Gomis again. He then tapped it on to Russell in space on the right but he blasted over. In the final 10 minutes, Caley had a lot of pressure but couldn’t find a way past the United rearguard to fashion shots on goal. Paul Dixon in particular seemed to always be there to break down Caley’s attacks and made two vital interceptions in the final minutes to keep Caley at bay and seal another fine victory for United at Tannadice.