UNITED 6 DUNDEE 2

United celebrated the return of the famous Dundee derby with an utterly exhilarating performance at an electric Tannadice that was packed to the rafters.

By Michael Blackley

United celebrated the return of the famous Dundee derby with an utterly exhilarating performance at an electric Tannadice that was packed to the rafters. More than 14,000 fans watched one of the great performances of recent years by the Tangerines as they outfought and outclassed their city rivals with a five star display. It rounded off a remarkable August, which has seen United win all four league matches, notching 14 goals in the process. Robbie Neilson made one change from the side that convincingly defeated Dunfermline last week, with fit again Mark Connolly back in for Ian Harkes, while Calum Butcher initially stepped forward into his usual midfield role. 

The game exploded into life after eight minutes with a moment of controversy as Dundee looked to have taken the lead, only for the goal to be disallowed with Johnson adjudged to have been offside. In an edgy few minutes for United, a fierce Johnson shot was well saved by Siegrist then Ness fizzed in an effort just over.  United composed themselves quickly though and sent Tannadice wild with the opener. From the home side’s third corner, Peter Pawlett swung in a cross which Connolly headed on and Butcher scored with a wonderful looping header which beat the keeper and defenders on the goal line.  

With 27 minutes gone, Dundee levelled when Hemmings forced the ball home after a goalmouth scramble which United just couldn’t clear following a Ness free kick. United then suffered a blow as Connolly limped off to be replaced by Harkes, with Butcher moving back to the centre of defence. 

It was breathless stuff and McMullan was next to test Hamilton but his shot from outside the box was comfortably held. 

With 12 minutes until half time, United then had an incredible spell where they scored three times in quick succession to send the home crowd wild.  

First a Pawlett cross was nodded down by Shankland and fell at the feet of Appere who chested the ball down, composed himself and struck an incredible effort in off the underside of the bar. 

Just a few minutes later, United extended the lead. McMullan caused more mayhem with his direct running and he was practically rugby tackled on the edge of the box, with the referee having no hesitation pointing to the spot. Shankland stepped up and slotted home down the middle for his eighth goal in just four league matches.  

Dundee were well and truly on the ropes and Pawlett fired wide. Incredibly, United hit a fourth with five minutes to go until half time with a wonderful low Butcher header from a Pawlett assist. 

It was a remarkable first half where United were thoroughly clinical to open up a big lead in a huge match.  

And within 60 seconds of the restart, along came goal number five. Ian Harkes found himself in space a long, long way out and battered in an effort that deflected off Forster and into the net. 

Finally, the game settled down from the frantic pace since the first kick-off as United knocked the ball around and the home support happily worked their way through the repertoire of songs. 

Midway through the game, Dundee started to find themselves on top, causing United problems, especially since midfielder Paul McGowan’s arrival from the subs bench. In the 68th minute, they scored their second goal when McGowan lofted in a cute ball to the back post for Nelson to coolly slot home.  

Suddenly in a slightly changed game, Dundee were dominating possession and the home side were on the rack. Reynolds had to be alert to divert away another effort, and Siegrist held well from a couple of half chances. 

McMullan showed some great trickery on the right then set up substitute Cammy Smith, but his goal-bound low shot was cleared off the line by Kerr. He wasn’t to be denied adding the sixth for long. With seven minutes left, some wonderful work from Appéré set up Cammy who dragged the ball back on his right foot and slotted home with his left to round off a remarkable night.  

With the crowd chanting “we want seven” it nearly came when the post denied Butcher his hat-trick with a header and though Cammy Smith crashed the rebound, he was clearly offside. It wasn’t to matter though, the United fans in the packed three home stands were going away more than happy.

Summary: What a night at Tannadice. United were well set up, always dangerous and completely clinical. The attitude and work rate was also first class. Indeed, United didn’t always have it their own way and had to really dig in at times when they were under the cosh, especially midway through the first half.  

Man of the match: Calum Butcher. He started off in midfield then moved back to defence and was inspirational in both positions and would have been a contender for man of the match even without the two wonderful headers. 

UNITED: Siegrist; Smith, Robson, Connolly (Harkes, 25), Reynolds; Stanton, Butcher, Pawlett (Smith, 65), McMullan; Appere, Shankland (Clark, 77) 
Subs: Deniz, Watson, King, Sow. 

DUNDEE: Hamilton, Kerr, McGhee (Meekings, 67), Ness, Forster, Todd (Nelson, 60), Byrne, McDaid, Johnson (McGowan, 49), Marshall, Hemmings
Subs: Ferrie, Curran, McPake, Robertson 

Att: 14,108