DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United secured their first home win of the season after a hugely entertaining afternoon at Tannadice. An early goal from Dalla Valle was cancelled out quickly by Nick Ross, but man of the match Danny Swanson restored the lead right on half time before Jon Daly clinched the win with his first involvement only seconds after coming on as a second half substitute.
In an open early exchange, both sides had chances as Swanson went close for United and Tade looked threatening for Inverness, forcing a decent save from Pernis. United could easily have been behind in the 6th minute as Andrew Shinnie bulleted a free header wide of the right post when it seemed he was about to score.
United took the lead in the 13 minute after Swanson linked up with Willo Flood, who then played the ball to Robertson whose slide rule pass put Lauri Dalla Valle in behind the Caley defence. The Fulham loan signing got the ball under control nicely with his first touch before coolly slotting the ball past Ryan Esson for his first goal since arriving at the club. The bad news was that three minutes later the game was level again as Nick Ross poked the ball in from four yards following a low cross from Andrew Shinnie. Quick thinking by Robertson set up Dalla Valle for a great chance to make it a brace in the 37th minute as, after Rankin was fouled in midfield, he immediately played in the striker, but this time Esson spread himself well to save from a similar position to where the opener had been conceded. As an open and entertaining half drew to a close, Swanson had another great opportunity from the same position as he was played in after the referee played a good advantage following a foul on Flood. This time Esson was beaten with a low angled drive but the ball drifted wide, however this was only a temporary reprieve as the hosts were about to go on and re-take the lead. With one minute of the half remaining, Rankin lofted the ball towards Swanson at the edge of the box and Golobart appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball allowing the United man to advance on goal. What came next was sublime as Swanson deftly lofted the ball over Esson and followed the ball closely as it landed in the back of the net to cap a fine 45 minutes.
The attacking intent from both sides continued after the interval and within the first few minutes Caley notched up several corners as they pressed for an equaliser, but the Tangerines defence coped with them well. Then, on the counter attack, United almost scored again as Rankin passed to Swanson who advanced towards goal using Dalla Valle as a decoy, before shooting left footed to force Esson to scramble the ball out for a corner. Within a minute Esson was called into action again as a well struck shot from Gavin Gunning from a huge distance was again turned around the post. Esson wasn't the only goalkeeper catching the eye however as Pernis again came to the rescue for the Terrors as he rushed out to block Tade after he had broken clear of the United rearguard. After performing well, Ryan Dow was withdrawn after 69 minutes in what was to be a hugely significant swap with Jon Daly. Paul Dixon had his cross from the left deflected slightly before Daly rose perfectly to head the ball downwards into the corner of the net to score with his first touch, just seconds after coming on. It was a composed home side which saw out the latter stages, and although Inverness threw plenty of crosses into the box, Pernis and the United defence were more than equal to them.
Full Time Summary: It was a hugely deserved win for the hosts, as although there were plenty of chances at either end, United had most in the way of clear openings, most of which were created by slick passing exchanges or strong play on the flanks. After suffering in recent weeks from not putting the opportunities away, the clinical way in which the Tangerines went about their business this afternoon should give them a lot of confidence in the coming weeks.
Man of the Match: Easily the most creative player on the park, Danny Swanson not only scored and had other chances but he also set up team mates and tracked back to help the defence on several occasions in an excellent demonstration of just how valuable a player he is to United.
United: Pernis, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson, Swanson, Rankin, Watson, Gunning, Dalla Valle (Marsh-Brown 79), Dow (Daly 70). Subs not used - McCallum, Douglas, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Hilson.
Inverness: Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Tansey, Foran (Sutherland 55), A Shinnie, Ross, Tade, Golobart (Proctor 46), G Shinnie, Davis. Subs not used - Tuffey, Chippendale, McKay, Gillet.
Attendance - 6497
Referee - Steve Conroy
In an open early exchange, both sides had chances as Swanson went close for United and Tade looked threatening for Inverness, forcing a decent save from Pernis. United could easily have been behind in the 6th minute as Andrew Shinnie bulleted a free header wide of the right post when it seemed he was about to score.
United took the lead in the 13 minute after Swanson linked up with Willo Flood, who then played the ball to Robertson whose slide rule pass put Lauri Dalla Valle in behind the Caley defence. The Fulham loan signing got the ball under control nicely with his first touch before coolly slotting the ball past Ryan Esson for his first goal since arriving at the club. The bad news was that three minutes later the game was level again as Nick Ross poked the ball in from four yards following a low cross from Andrew Shinnie. Quick thinking by Robertson set up Dalla Valle for a great chance to make it a brace in the 37th minute as, after Rankin was fouled in midfield, he immediately played in the striker, but this time Esson spread himself well to save from a similar position to where the opener had been conceded. As an open and entertaining half drew to a close, Swanson had another great opportunity from the same position as he was played in after the referee played a good advantage following a foul on Flood. This time Esson was beaten with a low angled drive but the ball drifted wide, however this was only a temporary reprieve as the hosts were about to go on and re-take the lead. With one minute of the half remaining, Rankin lofted the ball towards Swanson at the edge of the box and Golobart appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball allowing the United man to advance on goal. What came next was sublime as Swanson deftly lofted the ball over Esson and followed the ball closely as it landed in the back of the net to cap a fine 45 minutes.
The attacking intent from both sides continued after the interval and within the first few minutes Caley notched up several corners as they pressed for an equaliser, but the Tangerines defence coped with them well. Then, on the counter attack, United almost scored again as Rankin passed to Swanson who advanced towards goal using Dalla Valle as a decoy, before shooting left footed to force Esson to scramble the ball out for a corner. Within a minute Esson was called into action again as a well struck shot from Gavin Gunning from a huge distance was again turned around the post. Esson wasn't the only goalkeeper catching the eye however as Pernis again came to the rescue for the Terrors as he rushed out to block Tade after he had broken clear of the United rearguard. After performing well, Ryan Dow was withdrawn after 69 minutes in what was to be a hugely significant swap with Jon Daly. Paul Dixon had his cross from the left deflected slightly before Daly rose perfectly to head the ball downwards into the corner of the net to score with his first touch, just seconds after coming on. It was a composed home side which saw out the latter stages, and although Inverness threw plenty of crosses into the box, Pernis and the United defence were more than equal to them.
Full Time Summary: It was a hugely deserved win for the hosts, as although there were plenty of chances at either end, United had most in the way of clear openings, most of which were created by slick passing exchanges or strong play on the flanks. After suffering in recent weeks from not putting the opportunities away, the clinical way in which the Tangerines went about their business this afternoon should give them a lot of confidence in the coming weeks.
Man of the Match: Easily the most creative player on the park, Danny Swanson not only scored and had other chances but he also set up team mates and tracked back to help the defence on several occasions in an excellent demonstration of just how valuable a player he is to United.
United: Pernis, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson, Swanson, Rankin, Watson, Gunning, Dalla Valle (Marsh-Brown 79), Dow (Daly 70). Subs not used - McCallum, Douglas, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Hilson.
Inverness: Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Tansey, Foran (Sutherland 55), A Shinnie, Ross, Tade, Golobart (Proctor 46), G Shinnie, Davis. Subs not used - Tuffey, Chippendale, McKay, Gillet.
Attendance - 6497
Referee - Steve Conroy
