Dundee ended their recent poor run with an excellent, professional performance to win 1-0 at Motherwell. The Dark Blues were on top throughout and saw the game out competently after Lyall Cameron scored the only goal late in the first half. The deserved win not only gave the Dee three precious points, but the first league clean sheet of the season. It wasn’t the most exciting game of the season, but the healthy Dark Blue support hugely enjoyed Dundee’s fine display.
The Dee’s line-up had four changes. Trevor Carson, Ryan Astley, Scott Fraser and Fin Robertson came in for their their first starts in the league this season. They replaced Jon McCracken, Antonio Portales and Scott Tiffoney, who were on the bench, and the suspended Mo Sylla.
Motherwell had the first hint of a chance when Halliday had to much space to play Zach Robinson in on goal. Before the ex-Dee could shoot he was foiled by an excellent tackle by Clark Robertson.
The Dark Blues heeded that warning and were tighter in midfield for the rest of a first half in which they were on top even dominant.
Simon Murray had the first Dee shot when the ball broke to him 20 yards out, but his effort lacked the power to trouble keeper Anton Oxborough.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos sent a header drifting narrowly wide, but Trevor Carson seemed to have it covered. That was after 11 minutes and was the last time the Dee allowed Well to threaten in the first half. If Motherwell looked poor at times it was because Dundee dictated the game and frustrated the hosts.
Dundee started to play some nice passing football in the Motherwell half without finding the right final ball or getting a break in the penalt area.
Ryan Astley blasted high over the bar when Murray headed down from a corner. A lovely pass by Clark Robertson sent Lyall Cameron away down the left. Murray’s first touch from Cameron’s low cross was poor and Well scrambled clear.
Billy Koumetio sent a powerful header across goal and narrowly from Scott Fraser’s deep free kick as the Dark Blues continued to threaten the home goal.
After 38 minutes the Dee got the breakthrough, and the break, they deserved. Cameron won the ball on the edge of the penalty area as Well tried to clear. He set up Ziyad Larkeche to cross. Murray’s diving header was blocked. The ball broke nicely for CAMERON, 12 yards out, and he buried his shot in the bottom corner.
The Dark Blues saw the half out with little trouble. Well were sure to make changes and improve after a poor first half. They did make two substitutions at half time, to little effect. Both strikers were replaced, which was perhaps harsh. They had been ineffective, but Dundee had ensured they had little to work with.
Dundee were even more comfortable and in control in the opening 25 minutes of the second half. Oxborough saved well from a fierce drive my Curtis Main at the end of a patient Dee attack. From the second ball at the resulting corner Cameron fed Murray who shot just past the post.
Dundee kept threatening to add to their lead against a Well team that were lacking any spark or inspiration. Worryingly, for the more nervous and pessimistic supporters, they failed to add to their lead. This time it didn’t come back to bite them.e
Midway through the second half Motherwell changed their shape to a more aggressive 4-2-3-1 and started to hold the ball in the Dee half for more than a few seconds at a time.
Trevor Carson had to make only one save that was more than routine. Lennon Miller got plenty of power into a shot from 25 yards, but the Dee keeper beat it away confidently.
Scott Tiffoney replaced Lyall Cameron, and then Scott Fraser was substituted after receiving treatment. Antonio Portales came on as a straight replacement in central midfield.
Motherwell were able to attack more in the final 20 minutes of play but Dundee were never under the sort of fierce pressure that looked likely to bring about an equaliser. The Dark Blues handled the Motherwell changes professionally and managed the game to a successful conclusion.
There was only one moment of significant danger, after 79 minutes, when the ball broke to substitute Jair Tavares, but from 15 yards out he shot wildly through a crowd of players and over the bar.
Apart from that Dundee were always in control of the game. The announcement of seven minutes of addded time gave a flicker of hope to the home support. However, this time the seven minutes were wonderfully tedious. Nothing happened! It was hugely enjoyable boredom!
Dundee were solid and professional all over the park today. The defence was excellent throughout. The midfield shielded the defence, dominated the Well midfield and set up regular attacks.
It would be very difficult to pick a man of the match today because this victory was crucially a fine team performance.
Dundee have played well in several games this season without winning. Today the whole team put their game together to take the points, and that precious first clean sheet in the league.
This might even be a more important win than an emphatic high scoring thrashing. Dundee have blown teams away this season, but sometimes while being somewhat casual in defence. There was nothing remotely casual about the Dark Blues today. The players, and especially the defence, can take great heart from that.
Motherwell 3-5-2
Oxborough
Casey (Tavares 61), Gordon, Balmer
O’Donnell (Kaleta 76), Zdravkovski, Lennon, Halliday (Maswanhise 61), Wilson
Stamatelopoulos (Watt at half time), Robinson (Moses at half time)
Unused subs: Hegyi (gk), Seddon, Blaney, Koutroumbis.
Booked: none.
Dundee FC 3-5-2
Carson (c)
Astley, Koumetio, Clark Robertson
Ingram, Cameron (Tiffoney 71), Fraser (Portales 76), Fin Robertson, Larkeche
Murray (Palmer-Houlden 80), Main
Unused substitutes: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Mulligan, Adewumi, Braybrooke, Vetro.
Goal: Cameron (38).
Booked: Astley (foul on Maswanhise), Portales (foul on Zdravkovski).
Referee: Euan Anderson. Assistants: Calum Spence, Gordon McCabe. VAR: Andrew Dallas. Assistant VAR: Ross Macleod..
Attendance: 5,084 (822 Dees).
Report: James Christie.
