Dundee emerged victorious from a goal-laden, end-to-end derby with United and gained a valuable three points.
Jordan McGhee scored two and Scott Tiffoney one but they couldn’t ensure it was comfortable by allowing Glenn Middleton and Kristijan Trapanovski to score at the other end. Simon Murray sealed the win with a late penalty.
The first half was as lively as the City of Discovery derby usually is and saw four goals stand and another two disallowed. Dundee thought they had the lead after ten minutes but Lyall Cameron’s goal was chalked off due to an offside against Oluwaseun Adewumi in the build-up.
But there was no dampening of celebrations seven minutes later after Ziyad Larkeche’s delivery was steered past Jack Walton by Jordan McGhee, a really well-taken header.
The visitors were electric going forward but there was fortune involved when they went further in front, Scott Tiffoney’s strike straight at Walton but the keeper spilling it and watching on as it rolled over the line.
Glenn Middleton ensured it was game on with the Terrors’ first of the game, a stupendous strike from outside the box guided into the top corner.
You couldn’t take your eyes off it for a second and McGhee was the hero again, the quality of goal of the highest level again as he struck across Walton and into the corner.
United thought it was getting worse for them with a really unfortunate Ross Graham own goal as the visitors continued to attack, but were saved by the offside flag again.
That set Jim Goodwin’s side with the chance of getting back into it and they did that when Kristijan Trapanovski shot was deflected past Trevor Carson.
It was a fantastic contest from there as the Tangerines tried to throw everything they could at it and the Dee could have added to their tally with numerous counters – finally doing so through Murray from the spot after Emmanuel Adegboyega had pushed him to earn a red card.
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The Dundee derby delivers yet again
This fixture always seems to deliver more excitement, and definitely more goals, than its Edinburgh counterpart and today lived up to that.
There have been 6-2s in the past but there always seems to be drama and excitement regardless.
Dundee were ruthless in the first half and scored through two really good finishes from Jordan McGhee and a Scott Tiffoney striker that forced an error from Jack Walton.
They even had two goals chopped off as they continually threatened.
Defending has been their Achilles heel all season and they were unable to keep it out at the other end, but it meant fans and the neutral were served up a classic.
Story of Dundee’s season
The quality Dundee have in possession and in an attacking sense has never really been in question with players like Murray, Cameron and Adewumi in their ranks.
Their recent struggles have been more about problems at the other end of the pitch with goals leaked, particularly in 6-0 thumpings from Celtic and Hearts.
Even during the first half when they were doing a lot of the attacking, they never really looked comfortable at the other end, conceding just after going 2-0 and 3-1 up.
It could have been a comfortable afternoon if they’d managed to avoid that but the leaks just seem unable to be plugged for whatever reason.
Sam Dalby kept quiet
Sam Dalby has been key to Dundee United’s success. When he plays well, the team tends to play well and his 13 league goals have been crucial to them challenging near the top of the table.
The towering frontman was quiet this afternoon and for all that Dundee couldn’t keep their rivals out, they did manage to limit the Wrexham loanees involvement and chances.
Dalby did show some quality for an assist for Trapanovski but didn’t have much else in the game.