Dundee United fans were rewarded for their loyalty to the cause with a fine 2-1 away win at Morton.
The travelling fans braved the terrible conditions to watch their team cement their place at the top of the Championship. A perfect start was had through Lewis Appere’s close range effort.
Travelling Dundee United fans were rewarded against Morton. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
25 minutes in and John Sutton had the home side level. Aidan Nisbet’s cross was bundled over the line as Morton made their pressure count. Just a few minutes later though the returning Lawrence Shankland hit the net to restore the United lead and in the end seal a big victory.
Here are three things we learned.
Contrasting fortunes
In this game both sides needed to win their game in hand for very different reasons. United were looking to extend their lead at the Championship summit to ten points whilst Morton looked for maximum points in order to take them further away from the relegation zone.
Hopkin needed a win. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It was United who won the day, providing contrasting emotions for both sides. If they weren’t already, United now sit in an extremely strong position at the top whilst Morton passed up the opportunity to move four points clear of the Championship relegation places.
Shankland returns with a bang
Shankland hadn’t kicked a ball for United since the Dundee derby but he made his return at Cappielow. It took him just over 30 minutes to find the net too. Showing nice footwork around the box, he created space for himself excellently before finding the bottom corner.
A good finish. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It was the type of goal Robbie Neilson has likely come to expect of his influential forward.
Morton go down swinging
The Ton came into this game looking to avenge a 6-0 drubbing United handed them earlier in the season. Whilst they eventually fell on the losing side, they showed their Tayside visitors they were not to be taken lightly.
Morton dominated spells of this game, creating some chances and finding some joy in the aerial battles. In the final third though, United’s clinical edge saw them just about edge this match.
Neilson’s men were victrious. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
David Hopkin will be pleased with the performance levels although he’ll maybe lament the fact his side haven’t taken a point from it.