Dundee thrilled the supporters with a rampant performance against high flying St Mirren, thumping the Buddies 4-0 at the Scot Foam Stadium this afternoon. The Dark Blues were two up at half time thanks to Amadou Bakayoko’s opener and Zak Rudden’s penalty. Bakayoko made it three early in the second half and Zach Robinson came off the bench to apply the coup de grace with goal number four. The Dark Blues were outstanding, and richly deserved the prolonged standing ovation from the fans at the end.
The Dark Blues made only one change from the starting line-up in last Sunday’s win over Livingston. Malachi Boateng replaced Mo Sylla, who was on the bench. That means the Dee started with the same team that began the second half last week. The only change on the bench was Sylla swapping with Boateng.
Proceedings started with a poignant and beautifully observed minute’s silence to remember the fallen in wars. Dundee began the game brightly and came desperately close to a swift opener. Richard Taylor, the Buddies’ central defender didn’t deal with a high, long ball down the middle. Zak Rudden helped himself and cracked a shot against the post from eight yards.
Saints made a mess of a high free kick into their penalty area but got away with it. They weren’t so lucky next time, after 16 minutes. Owen Beck swung a corner into the goalmouth. Nobody could get a decisive touch and Amadou BAKAYOKO took full advantage, scoring with a low shot from ten yards.
St Mirren had plenty of possession and played some nice football in the middle the park without creating good opportunities. All through the game their moves fizzled out with crosses that were easy meat for Trevor Carson. In fairness the Dee keeper exuded confidence and made every catch look a simple matter.
There were a couple of worrying moments when the Dee were careless in the first half, but St Mirren consistently botched attacks with miskicks.
Dundee had less of the ball but attacked faster. They were always dangerous in possession and looked capable of extending their lead.
The second goal arrived in first half stoppage time. Owen Beck’s corner was headed on by Antonio Portales and Marcus Fraser handled. Referee Matthew McDermid had no doubts and pointed to the spot. Zak RUDDEN thumped the penalty home emphatically to put the fans in a cheery mood at half time.
St Mirren had been passive and vulnerable in the first half. It was no surprise when they made changes at half time, but sending on four substitutes was an eye-catching move. Significantly all three attacking players were replaced, along with defender Taylor. The mass change made no difference. The Buddies continued to have the majority of possession without forcing Trevor Carson to make any saves.
In contrast the Dee were far faster, sharper and more lethal in attack. After 57 minutes Dundee ripped Saints open with a lightning break that brought the third goal. Bakayoko showed strength and skill to get past Gogic on the half way line. He sent Rudden racing into the penalty area. Keeper Zach Hemming saved his fierce low drive, but was helpless when BAKAYOKO followed up to shoot into the empty net.
The third goal killed any possibility of Saints building momentum to save the game. The Buddies continued to do little with lots of possession. Substitute Thierry Small almost scored within a minute of coming on when he turned a cross from Lewis Jamieson against the crossbar. Apart from that the Dundee defence was flawless.
Zak Rudden had a fine game harassing the St Mirren defence with his tireless running. After 81 minutes he was replaced by Zach Robinson and went off to warm applause from the home support.
Robinson took only four minutes to notch his first Premiership goal with another fast and ruthless attack. Bakayoko lost his marker with a quick turn on the half way line and sent Luke McCowan running through the middle. Instead of shooting the midfielder switched the ball into the path of the better placed ROBINSON who dinked a delightful finish over the diving keeper to make it 4-0.
The Dees in the stands were lapping this up and sang lustily all the way to the final whistle. It’s a long time since the Dark Blues dispatched a team so ruthlessly in the Premiership. It was all the more impressive against a St Mirren team who are in third place and have had an outstanding start to the season. The Buddies were second best today and were well beaten long before the final whistle.
The Dark Blues were outstanding all through the team. The defence was solid throughout and deserved their fifth clean sheet in the last six games. The midfield provided effective cover to the defence and launched attacks quickly. St Mirren were regularly unnerved by the tempo of the Dee’s attacks. What must be particularly pleasing for manager Tony Docherty is that all four goals were scored by strikers. That will give them confidence. Indeed the whole team should be brimming with confidence after this excellent performance and victory. Well done Dundee! That was terrific!
Dundee FC 3-5-2
Carson
Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Lamie
McGhee (Kerr 89), Cameron (Howley 89), Boateng, McCowan, Beck
Bakayoko (Pineda 90+2), Rudden (Robinson 81)
Unused substitutes: Legzdins (gk), Reilly, Robertson, Donnelly, Sylla.
Goals: Bakayoko (16, 57), Rudden (45+1 pen), Robinson (84).
Booked: McGhee (foul on Tanser).
St Mirren 3-4-3
Hemming
Fraser (c), Gogic, Taylor (Dunne at half time)
Strain, Baccus, Boyd-Munce (Small 71), Tanser
McMenamin (Jamieson at half time), Mandron (Olusanya at half time), Kiltie (Grieve at half time).
Unused substitutes: Urminsky (gk), Bolton, Flynn, Nachmani.
Booked: Baccus.
Referee: Matthew MacDermid. Assistants: Daniel McFarlane, Andy Milne. 4th Official: Graham Grainger. VAR: Andrew Dallas. Assistant VAR: Graeme Leslie.
Attendance: 5,496.
Report: James Christie.
