Dundee United 3 Dundee 0

Normal service was resumed as United romped to victory in the season closing derby against Dundee. A Nadir Ciftci double in the first half was followed by a cool Blair Spittal finish after the break to ensure the bragging rights in the city for the Tangerines. By Ally Stewart It was a scrappy start with Dundee doing most of the pressing but with their first foray into the opposition box the hosts went ahead in 8 minutes. Chris Erskine received the ball in midfield and lofted a pass to Nadir Ciftci in behind the Dundee defence. Goalkeeper Kyle Letheren rushed out to challenge but allowed the ball to slip by offering Ciftci the easy  task of slamming the ball into an empty net. The Dark Blues kept pushing forward without really hurting the hosts and as a result left plenty space for United on the counter. They were often caught with tangerine shirts bearing down on them and both Paul McGinn and Thomas Konrad were booked for cynical challenges during this spell. In the 28th minute Dundee had their best chance when Greg Stewart did well to beat Erskine at the bye line before laying back to Stephen McGinn whose shot was held by Rado Cierzniak at the second attempt. The visitors were left to rue this miss as the home side doubled their lead in the 28th minute. Robbie Muirhead held the ball up well before playing in Ciftci on the left edge of the area. As the Turk evaded Konrad in the box the defender was then adjudged to have brought his man down as Bobby Madden pointed to the spot. Despite already being on a yellow card there was no further punishment for the German. As he did at Dens in the last derby Ciftci was as composed as could be as he sent Letheren the wrong way to score his and United’s second. The pattern remained the same for the rest of the half with Dundee continuing to win corners but never seriously bothering the goal and United always looking likely to score on the break. Following from such a frantic opening 45 minutes, it was an understandably more low key response from both sides after the break. The atmosphere was then ignited again however when United scored to go 3-0 up in 50 minutes. Receiving the ball in midfield John Rankin looked up to see Spittal running into clear space ahead and he provided a perfect through ball to the youngster. From there the midfielder showed great composure to roll the ball beyond Letheren for his second goal in Tangerine. Erskine and Spittal then combined yet again on the counter to win a corner, this following a Dundee free kick at the other end which had come to nothing. John Souttar played the ball back to the edge of the area having reacted first to the corner and from there Rankin steered a right foot shot well wide. The Tangerines were looking hungry for more and Spittal was caught offside in the area after a reverse ball from Muirhead. There was an audacious attempt from Ciftci as the ball fell to him on the half volley and from around 25 yards his right foot effort wasn’t too far away. The visitors appeared drained of all ideas as the pace of the game dropped and it was United holding the territorial advantage as they looked to inflict further punishment on their rivals. A dangerous Paul Dixon cross was blocked for a corner in 71 minutes and after the initial delivery was cleared Erskine crossed for Ryan McGowan who headed onto the top of the bar from 6 yards out. Souttar was then heavily involved as he exchanged with both Ciftci and sub Ali Coote before seeing his back heel saved at close range by Letheren as he tried a cheeky finish. Into the last 10 minutes there was some showboating on view from Ciftci as he teased a free kick from Gary Irvine before moments sending in a back heeled cross which McGowan directed a foot or so wide of the post. Stewart curled a free kick just wide before Souttar was last to threaten in injury time but in the end it was to be a deserved three points for the home side. Full Time Summary – Thankfully for United, normal service was resumed as they ran out comfortable and worthy winners over their city rivals to end the season on a high note. They coped well with everything that the visitors threw their way and in return had one of those days when they looked like scoring almost every time they broke forward. They can now enjoy digesting this result over the summer months before getting ready to go again in August. Man of the Match – Today was all about the threat of United on the break with Muirhead, Ciftci and Spittal all impressive. One of his best displays in Tangerine however came from Chris Erskine whose direct running and link up play caused Dundee all kinds of problems. United – Cierzniak (Szromnik 90), Dillon, Dixon, Souttar, Fojut, Ciftci, Rankin, Muirhead (Connolly 67), McGowan, Erskine, Spittal (Coote 75). Subs not used – Telfer, Butcher, Smith, Anier. Dundee – Letheren, Irvine, P McGinn, McPake, Konrad (Gadzhalov 46), Ferry (Harkins 61), S McGinn (Wighton 67), McGowan, McAlister, Stewart, Tankulic. Subs not used – Brodie, Colquhoun, Black. Referee – Bobby Madden