The Dark Blues delivered the happiest of New Years to the faithful fans with a richly deserved 1-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice, their second successive league win down the road. After dominating the first half the Dee scored the only goal on the stroke of half time. Ash Hay was the goal hero, finishing delightfully. The young striker impressed throughout and ran the home defence ragged. In the second half United stepped up their game, but Dundee defended magnificently to hold the Tangerines at bay. The ecstatic reaction when the final whistle sounded showed just how much the Dee supporters love to beat their local rivals.
Cameron Congreve returned from injury to replace Charlie Reilly and that was the only change from Tuesday’s win over Kilmarnock. Reilly was on the bench, where he was joined by Clark Robertson and Fin Robertson, who had both recovered from injuries, and new signing Joe Bevan.
The Dark Blues kicked off but it was United who had the best of the early exchanges. The hosts gave the Dee an uncomfortable five minutes. There was a scramble in the Dundee goalmouth following a long throw. The ball was half cleared and when it was returned Krisztian Keresztes’s header was tipped over by Jon McCracken.
After those opening few minutes the Dee imposed themselves on the game and dominated until half time.
The only criticism of a fine first half performance by the Dark Blues was that they passed up too many good openings and clear chances before taking the lead they deserved.
Billy Koumetio powered a header narrowly wide from Yan Dhanda’s free kick. Koumetio had another great chance from a free kick. Luke Graham headed down but the French centre back shot wide from close range.
Dundee’s forward players were always dangerous. Tony Yogane, in particular, had the beating of Iurie Iovu, United’s right centre back. Midway through the half Yogane twisted and turned on the left before crossing to the far post. Ryan Astley had timed his run well to find space, but shot across goal and wide from only a couple of yards out.
The Dark Blues often played long balls from the back and Ash Hay thrived on this tactic, regularly beating Esselink in the air. If the Dark Blues didn’t win a long ball it was usually a Dee who was first to the loose ball in United’s half.
United were careless in possession and offering little for their front players. Ten minutes from half time they created the only moment of fleeting danger when McCracken saved, but couldn’t hold Sapsford’s shot from 18 yards. The keeper recovered and Dundee resumed their dominance.
When Hay fired an 18 yard effort narrowly over the bar it looked like the game would reach half time without the Dee taking the lead their performance merited. As the game was ticking over into added time the Dark Blues finally scored.
Pan Camara misjudged a long ball from Ryan Astley and Bert Hasselink was brushed aside by Ash HAY, who ran clear and slipped a superb finish past keeper Richards to score. Instead of lashing at the ball Hay calmly passed it inside the far post.
United’s defence had an uncomfortable first half and it was no surprise there was a change before the game restarted. Ross Graham replaced Bert Esselink, but there were a few other candidates for the half time hook.
The Tangerines improved in the second half but without ever being convincing. They had plenty of possession and worked their way into good positions without finding good final balls or creating chances.
After 15 minutes of United presure, which didn’t amount to anything noteworthy, Dundee had the first real chance of the second half. Callum Jones’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was blocked. The ball spun towards the far post for Hay to shoot but Richards saved with a leg.
With 20 minutes to go United had their one and only real chance of the second half. A cross broke kindly for Luca Stephenson in front of goal but McCracken pulled off a terrific save to preserve the Dee’s lead.
Fin Robertson came on for Callum Jones and Imari Samuels replaced Cam Congreve. Drey Wright moved to right wing back with Samuels taking his place on the left as Dundee switched to three, or five, at the back.
United were still doing most of the attacking but Dundee always looked dangerous from fewer attacks. A cleverly flighted cross from Yan Dhanda evaded Hay and flashed past United’s far post. Fin Robertson had a go from 25 yards but Richards saved the low shot well at full stretch.
There were four minutes of added time but happily they passed with little excitement. The Dark Blues managed the game perfectly in the closing stages as the seconds ticked away with United unable to come up with anything to trouble Dundee.
The final whistle was met with ecstatic delight by the Dee support, and the players joined in enthusiastically. Ash Hay in particular celebrated in style, as he was entitled to. The young striker was magnificent and his winning goal will be long remembered.
Dundee have been subjected to some stern criticism this season, but this was an excellent team performance. Every part of the team made a vital contribution today. The defence was rock solid throughout, with the two central defenders particularly impressive.
The midfield moved the ball well in the first half, allowing Hay, Congreve and Yogane the space to hurt United. In the second half the midfielders did the hard grafting, challenging and closing down, that stopped the Tangerines turning possession into serious danger. Tony Yogane had perhaps his best game for the Dee, and Ash Hay showed what he can do. He gave Esselink a gruelling first half, winning balls in the air, harrassing him, and capped his performance with a fine winner.
Steven Pressley should be very proud of this performance. Nine points from three games with two clean sheets in eight days is a magnificent outcome from the festive campaign. Happy New Year Dees!
Dundee United 3-4-3
Richards
Iovu (Dolcek 78), Esselink (Graham at half time), Keresztes
Stephenson, Sibbald, Camara, Ferry
Sapsford, Watters (Trapanovski 59), Fatah (Stirton 78)
Unused subs: Adams (gk), Sevelj, Eskesen, Cleall-Harding, Möller.
Booked: Iovu (foul on Yogane), Camara (foul on Graham).
Dundee 4-2-3-1
Jon McCracken
Ryan Astley, Billy Koumetio, Luke Graham, Drey Wright
Callum Jones (Fin Robertson 64), Ethan Hamilton (c)
Cameron Congreve (Imari Samuels 74), Yan Dhanda (Paul Digby 88), Tony Yogane
Ash Hay
Unused substitutes: Kieran O’Hara (gk), Ethan Ingram, Clark Robertson, Emile Acquah, Charlie Reilly, Joe Bevan.
Goal: Hay (45).
Booked: Graham (reaction to Camara foul).
Attendance: 13,495.
Referee: Don Robertson. Assistants: Frank Connor, Calum Spence. VAR: Nick Walsh. Assistant VAR: Duncan Nicolson.
Report: James Christie.
