Football: Dundee United 2

Dundee picked up an important win at their local rivals

They produced a stunning first-half performance to secure their first derby win at Tannadice since 2004.

Jordan McGhee set them on their way with a powerful header before Scott Tiffoney doubled the lead, his long-range effort slipping agonisingly through goalkeeper Jack Walton's hands.

Glenn Middleton pulled one back for Dundee United with a superb curling strike, but McGhee’s second of the game restored Dundee’s two-goal cushion before half-time, as the hosts struggled to keep them at bay.

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Dundee could have been even further ahead at the break, with two goals ruled out for marginal offsides and Simon Murray going close after United failed to clear a corner.

United, who had been outplayed in the first half, found a way back into the game after the restart when Kristijan Trapanovski’s deflected shot found the net.

Both sides had chances as the game remained on a knife edge—Joe Shaughnessy’s header clipped the bar for Dundee, while Sam Dalby failed to direct his own header on target for United.

But as the home side threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, Dundee landed the decisive blow late on.

Substitute Emmanuel Adegboyega—United’s last remaining defender—was sent off after dragging down Murray in the box. The Dundee striker dusted himself off to score the penalty, sealing a famous win and sparking celebrations that will live long in the memory.

Dundee shrugged off their recent woes for an important win.

Away fans watch on

Tony Docherty and his players arrived at Tannadice under serious pressure. They had gone eight league games without a win, conceding 24 goals in the process, while St Johnstone were closing the gap as Dundee’s struggles deepened.

But in the heat of the derby, those troubles were left behind as they flew out of the blocks.

Lyall Cameron struck early after Josh Mulligan’s shot was parried by Jack Walton, only for VAR to cut the celebrations short, ruling Oluwaseun Adewumi fractionally offside in the build-up.

Dundee didn’t let the setback shake them. Ricki Lamie sent a header looping back across goal after Ziyad Larkeche picked him out from the left, restoring their lead. The visitors continued to press, with Walton keeping out Cameron’s drive before failing to stop Scott Tiffoney’s effort moments later.

McGhee’s strike to make it 3-1 was a thing of beauty, perfectly weighted. Another VAR intervention denied them a fourth when Luke McCowan was judged offside before the ball ricocheted off Ross Graham and into the net.

Docherty will take heart not only from Dundee’s attacking intensity but also their resilience after the break. United had their moments, but Dundee stood firm, and there was something poetic about fan-favourite Zach Robinson sealing the win with a stoppage-time penalty.

If they maintain this level until the end of the season, survival should be well within their grasp.

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