Dundee 1
Dundee Utd 4
League (Premiership)

Match Report

United's best performance of the season thus far ensured a comfortable win over their near neighbours in the first derby match of the season. Ryan Dow recovered from injury to replace the suspended Ciftci, otherwise it was an unchanged line up to the last outing against Hamiltion.

The game got off to a brisk start and it was United who looked most likely to open the scoring. Early in the game, Ciftci found himself in space and his blistering shot was turned over the bar before he noticed the flag up on the far side. A crunching tackle by Paton just inside the Dundee half allowed Mackay-Steven to collect the loose ball and drive towards goal. With his pace unrelenting, he feigned to cut inside before taking the ball outside Konrad and enticed a clumsy foul by the German. Penalty to United and a chance for the side to claim a foothold in the match. Mario Bilate stepped up to neatly slot the ball into the corner of the net. Although dominant, there were few clear opportunities for United in the remainder of the half and Dundee were near non-existent as an attacking force.

With United playing towards the sell out away end in the second half, the game became somewhat of a procession. A mix up in the Dundee defence allowed Rankin to nick the ball and play in Ryan Dow who patiently worked his way to goal before finding sufficient space to slide the ball low into the bottom left corner to double United's lead. Shortly afterwards a Paton free kick was headed home by Callum Morris for his first goal for the club. Then from an almost identical position Paton supplied another free-kick which was nodded home by Keith Watson at the far post to complete the rout. In the dying minutes, Dundee's Konrad was ordered off and the home side notched a consolation goal from Greg Stewart.

Manager's Comment:
"As a team we were excellent, organised and disciplined. The back four were outstanding, Paton was immense and the rest of them were very good. There's little things I'd be slightly critical of in terms of the last pass going into the final third, but we carried a threat all afternoon."

Fan's Comment:
"Only one winner in this first derby of the season. All the more enjoyable as Dundee entered this game on a good run of form. GMS looked back to his best and tormented the Dundee defence. Really pleasing to see goals coming from all over the pitch today, two defenders a midfielder and our striker all on target."

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