Kilmarnock1–4Dundee Utd

Jackie McNamara made two changes from the side that defeated Hearts. Gav Gunning returned after injury to replace Sean Dillon also assuming his role as skipper, whilst Keith Watson took over at right-back from Mark Wilson.

There were two changes in the Killie line-up from the side that won away for the first time this season at Ross County. One was enforced with Michael Gardyne’s loan deal precluding him playing against United. He was replaced by Manuel Pascali with Rory McKenzie coming in for Rory McKeown. In a howling gale and driving rain, United got proceedings under way kicking towards the Arabs huddled together at the back of the Chadwick Road Stand. After 12 minutes Manuel Pascali was booked for a blatant body check to halt a typically mazy Gauld run 25 yards from goal. However, the home side’s wall did its job, blocking Gunning’s free-kick. On 17 minutes, Rueben Gabriel became the second Killie player to be yellow carded after bringing down Stuart Armstrong. And that was to have dire consequences for the Killie midfielder as six minutes later he held back Armstrong and his cynical challenge earned him a second caution and dismissal. Ten minutes from half-time, Jackson Irvine became the third home player to go in the referee’s book, chopping down Gauld on the edge of then box. The youngster picked himself up and curled the free-kick and former United keeper Craig Samson was at full stretch to finger-tip his effort round the post.

Killie opened the second half on the front foot. Almost immediately, Robertson blocked a Chlossey shot and shortly afterwards, Cierzniak had to drop on low to hold off a Boyd effort from the edge of the box. And in the 50th minute, Lee Ashcroft headed just over. United’s first attack was on the counter after 54 minutes when Gauld slipped the ball through to Mackay-Steven on the right, but his low cross was cut out by Samson. United were getting into their stride and they got their noses in front on the hour mark with a well-made goal. And Graham was the instigator with some great chest control before slipping the ball to Armstrong. He surged to the bye-line before cutting the ball back and the on-rushing Keith Watson hammered the ball into the roof of the net from close in. But Killie almost hit back immediately and Cierzniak had to react quickly to hold on to Craig Slater’s shot on the turn. Though numerically, disadvantaged, Killie refused to lie down, indeed they didn’t look like a side with ten men as they battled for every ball. However they were finally overrun in a two minute spell with a quarter of an hour to go. Both Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Gauld scored to put United 3-0 up. Kris Boyd pulled one back for Killie with a minute left but there was still time for David Goodwillie to seal another impressive victory for United.

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page