United suffered a major setback when they went down to a heavy four goal loss at the hands of newly promoted Inverness. Wonder goals from McCann and Duncan and a double from Adam Rooney handed Terry Butcher's side a well deserved victory.
Peter Houston decided to stick by his men that lost narrowly to AEK Athens on Thursday and named an unchanged starting eleven. The only change to the personnel was Barry Douglas replacing Johnny Russell on the bench. After losing out to Celtic last weekend Terry Butcher only made one change to his side with former United man David Proctor replacing Ross Tokely in defence.
First Half:
It was the visitors who had the best of the opening period and early on Rooney went close with a shot after a defensive mistake. It took United ten minutes to create a chance but Goodwillie shot over from close range. As the half progressed Buaben tried from distance and then Robertson was thwarted by a fine challenge from Munro. However it was the visitors who looked the more threatening and with half an hour on the clock Pernis did very well to deny Rooney with a save low to his left. Just after that Dixon found Daly with a long throw and the United skipper headed just wide. With 33 minutes gone the deadlock was broken when Hayes swung a corner into the United box and Watson cleared only for the ball to land at the feet of Kevin McCann who fired a screamer from 25 yards into the top corner of the net. It could have been worse for united had Kenneth not managed to dispossess Odhiambo who had just the keeper to beat.
Second Half:
The visitors came back out strongly at the start of the second half and within three minutes they should have doubled their lead but Rooney flicked just wide of the post. However this was short lived for United when after 50 minutes Odhiambo unselfishly squared the ball to Rooney who shot easily past Pernis. Three minutes later it got even worse for United when a throw from McCann was collected by Duncan and he sent a superb looping effort over the head of Pernis and into the net. United did try to get back into the game and Sean Dillon went close with a long range effort and then Prince Buaben had a shot well charged down by the Caley defence. With nine minutes left United's misery was complete when Kenneth fouled Rooney in the box and the Englishman stood up and drilled the spot kick past the helpless Pernis. In the dying seconds United were unlucky not to pull one back when a Buaben shot came back off the post.
Summing Up: - A shocking afternoon for United and on the day none of their top players put in a performance.
Teams:
Dundee Utd: Pernis, Dillon, Kenneth, Watson, Dixon (Cadamarteri, 57 ) , Scott Robertson, Gomis, Conway (Douglas, 57 ) , Buaben, Goodwillie, Daly
Subs not used: Banks,David Robertson,Dods,Shala,Casalinuovo,
Inverness CT: Esson, Munro, Proctor, McCann, Gillet, Hayes ( Sutherland, 85 ) , Duncan, Cox, Ross, Rooney, Odhiambo ( Sanchez, 88 )
Subs not used: Golabek, McBain, Tuffey, Morrison, Shinnie,
Bookings: None
Referee: Alan Muir (Scotland)