The opening derby of 2025 ended with a 2-1 defeat for the Dark Blues against Dundee United at the Scot Foam Stadium. Dundee had the better of the first half and should have been ahead at half time. A penalty by Simon Murray gave the Dee the lead just after the hour mark but Vicko Sevelj quickly equalised. With both sides chasing a winner it was Sam Dalby who got the vital late goal for United.
The Dark Blues made two changes to the team that started Sunday’s win at St Mirren. Clark Robertson returned from injury and Luke Robinson came back from his loan at Falkirk to take the places of Jordan McGhee and Billy Koumetio in central defence.
The game got off to a frantic start and the pace did not ease off for the whole match. United had their first effort on target inside the first minute. Sam Dalby’s header from Will Ferry’s cross was pushed round the post for a corner by Trevor Carson.
The Dark Blues were soon attacking with pace and invention, particularly down the right wing where Josh Mulligan was prominent. His pass freed Seb Palmer-Houlden wide on the right. The young striker sent over a wicked cross that keeper Jack Walton could only turn into the path of Fin Robertson whose shot was blocked on the goaline by Ryan Strain. Seun Adewumi shot wide in the resulting scramble.
Fin Robertson had two more shots from around 22 yards and neither missed by much. In between Dalby shot wide after taking the ball from Kristijan Trapanovski’s knock down.
Palmer-Houlden missed narrowly from 12 yards after Simon Murray laid the ball off. Adewumi then found Mo Sylla in space to shoot from 18 yards but he hammered his shot straight at Walton.
United had the last goal attempt of the first half when Trapanovksi sent a shot from a tight angle over the bar after a powerful run through the middle by Ryan Strain.
Dundee were the better, and more dangerous side for most of the first half and it was no suprise that United reorganised at half time, sending on another central defender, Ross Graham, in the place of Trapanovski. The switch to a back three was prompted by the way Dundee’s front three gave United’s defence an uncomfortable first half.
The second half continued in the same vein. United had the first shot of the half when Strain’s shot was deflected wide after a long throw. Dundee were still attacking dangerously, particularly when Adewumi was on the ball. United’s defence always struggled to handle the talented young Austrian.
As the game approached the hour mark a Dundee break ended with Palmer-Houlden crossing to the near post and Holt cleared from Murray. A lengthy VAR review established that the defender used his arm. Simon MURRAY sent Walton the wrong way from the penaltu spot to give the Dark Blues the lead.
If anything the frenetic pace of the game increased. A long throw broke to Ferry who shot weakly straight at Carson. Dundee immediately broke through Adewumi and Palmer-Houlden who shot over the bar from 18 yards.
Dundee hadn’t managed to settle on their lead and manage the game calmly when they were undone by a poorly defended long throw into the goalmouth. Palmer-Houlden mistimed his header, allowing the ball to skid off the top of his head and Vicko SEVELJ was all alone to score easily with a close range header.
The Dark Blues responded well and continued to threaten in attack. Lyall Cameron split the United defence to release Palmer-Houlden but Walton pulled off a great save.
Neither side was prepared to settle for a draw and United went close twice. Dalby had two shots blocked. Carson saved superbly from Strain after Ferry’s shot was blocked.
Two minutes from the end of normal time Dundee were caught out when they tried to break but lost the ball. With the defence out of position Kevin Holt found himself in space on the left. He played a low ball across goal and DALBY flicked the ball into the far corner from a couple of yards out. Dundee fought hard in the five minutes of added time but United held out under fierce pressure.
A derby defeat is a disappointing start to the year but this hectic derby could have gone either way. Dundee looked a good side on the ball throughout tonight’s match. The flaws were again in defence. After taking the lead the Dark Blues should have slown the game down and taken no chances. They didn’t make it hard enough for United to get back into the match.
This leaves the Dee uncomfortably close to the play-off spot, but if Dundee can play consistently like this they will be fine. But the defending and game management have to be better, not just occasionally but always.
Dundee FC 3-4-1-2
Carson (c)
Astley, Clark Robertson, Graham
Mulligan, Sylla, Cameron, Fin Robertson (Tiffoney 90+2)
Adewumi
Palmer-Houlden (Main 90+2), Murray
Unused substitutes: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Ingram, Garza, Kelly, Braybrooke, Vetro.
Goal: Murray pen (61).
Booked: Graham (foul on Stephenson).
Dundee United 4-2-3-1
Walton
Strain, Adegboyega, Holt, Ferry
Stephenson, Sevelj
Middleton (van der Sande 62), Docherty (c) (Odada 84), Trapanovski (Graham at half time)
Dalby
Unused subs: Richards (gk), Graham, Fotheringham, Thomson, Stirton, Domeracki, Ubichioma.
Goals: Sevelj (65), Dalby (88).
Booked: Docherty (foul on Cameron), Dalby (goal celebration).
Referee: Steven McLean. Assistants: Jonathan Bell, Gordon Crawford. VAR: Gavin Duncan. Assistant VAR: Sean Carr.
Attendance: 11,585.
Report: James Christie.
