DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
Dundee United topped off a tough week with a convincing display in Fife that saw them rack up their biggest win of the season.
Despite all the pressure on the players following a week of intense media speculation centred on the club, they put on an exciting attacking display that saw them pick up all three points at East End Park for the first time since Tommy McLean's United side won there in 1997.
It was a game where all of United's attacking players shone, with strikers Lauri Dalla Valle and Johnny Russell both getting on the scoresheet, as well as winger Gary Mackay-Steven, following an impressive cameo from the subs' bench and full back Paul Dixon.
But the win wasn't without the odd stroke of the kind of luck that has deserted United for much of the season and the side had come under the cosh after Andy Kirk got Dunfermline back into the game at 2-1 early in the second half.
Centre half Garry Kenneth failed a late fitness test, meaning skipper Jon Daly had to step back to the centre of defence to partner Gavin Gunning, with his place up front being taken by Johnny Russell who had come on and scored against Falkirk. The only other change from the midweek cup exit was youngster Ryan Dow coming in for Barry Douglas who dropped onto the bench.
Despite the recent disappointing run in the league, where United had only won once in the previous 10 matches and also suffered that League Cup quarter final exit, the players came out to a rousing reception from a strong away support that packed three sections of the stand behind Dusan Pernis's goal.
The first attempt of note came for United when Dow drifted in from the left to play a good one-two with Russell, only for his effort to sail harmlessly over the bar. United then came close when Gavin Gunning perfectly struck a free kick from 30 yards, only for Paul Gallagher to get down well to tip wide.
Dunfermline were next to press when right-back Jason Thomson earned a corner off Jon Daly that the United fans felt was unjustified, then rose well to meet a Paul Burns corner but head over the bar.
In the 13th minute, United took the lead in impressive style when a Willo Flood dead ball from the right was not properly cleared and fell invitingly for left back Paul Dixon who perfectly drilled in a superb effort from the left edge of the box that gave Gallagher no chance, before wheeling away with a Bebeto-style cradle goal celebration.
United stormed into a commanding two goal lead in the 18th minute, and the goal had shades of the fortune that has eluded United this season. Paul Dixon played a shot-come-pass that landed at the feet of Lauri Dalla Valle who seemed to mishit his first attempt only for the ball to bounce kindly for him to slot home at the second attempt.
Dunfermline tried to find a way back in the game and some good passing on the edge of the box nearly led to a breakthrough, but David Graham's dangerous long-range effort landed just at the wrong side of the post.
A bad start for the home side then got worse after 25 minutes when Garry Mason scythed into a challenge on Russell, with referee Stevie O'Reilly pausing for a moment before judging that the challenge was serious dangerous play and brandishing a straight red card.
United, who were starting to look confident and creative on the ball in midfield, threatened to put the game beyond doubt. With 10 minutes to go before half time, Willo Flood played a powerful ball into the box from the right which Ryan Dow did well to square for Scott Robertson, only for his effort to fly over the bar. Then Rankin threatened, taking the ball down well from a throw on the left before powering an effort over the bar.
United started the second half the way they ended the first and a weaving run by Ryan Dow ended with the youngster firing in a long-range effort that Gallagher held well. But they then appeared to start to lose their grip of the game, with Dunfermline starting to edge their way back into it First, Andy Kirk did well on the left before his cross from the touchline clipped the bar and went behind. Then, following some pressure, they scored when the ball deflected off Jon Daly and landed at the feet of Andy Kirk, who coolly slotted beyond Pernis.
The Pars then had a spell when they threw everything at United who desperately tried to cling onto the advantage. However, United, with Mackay-Steven on for Dalla Valle, had a lot of pace going forward and always looked dangerous on the break, which set the game up for a frantic finale. The substitute was a constant threat and one of his corners was nodded over by Gunning with 20 minutes to go.
Scott Allan, on for the lively Ryan Dow, nearly sealed the victory half an hour into the second half when he went on a mazy run, then drilled in a shot that was saved by Gallagher. From the Mackay-Steven corner, United did get a third, with Daly's initial effort blocked only for the ball to fall to Russell, who powerfully drilled home on the half volley.
United appeared well on top but, with 11 minutes to go, Daly tangled with Graham as he broke on goal. Following a lengthy discussion with his linesman, and with the home fans shouting for a red card, referee Stevie O'Reilly brandished only a yellow. Dunfermline, feeling hard done by, pressed and a goalmouth scramble nearly got them back in the game. United broke on the counter though and sealed the three points when Russell went on a weaving run then squared for Mackay-Steven who battered the ball beyond Gallagher with aplomb.
For the first time this season, it seemed United could relax in the final minutes, with song after song coming from the vocal contingent in the away end as their side strolled to victory.
DUNFERMLINE: Gallagher, J.Thomson, McCann, Mason, Keddie; Potter, Boyle (McDougall, 67), Burns, Easton (R.Thomson, 58); Kirk (Clarke, 77), Graham
Subs not used: Smith, Dowie, Willis, Young
DUNDEE UNITED (4-4-2): Pernis, Watson, Dixon, Daly, Gunning; Flood, Rankin, Robertson (Armstrong, 78), Dow (Allan, 69); Russell, Dalla Valle (Mackay-Steven, 53)
Subs not used: Banks, Douglas, Hilson, Barrett
Att: 3979
Despite all the pressure on the players following a week of intense media speculation centred on the club, they put on an exciting attacking display that saw them pick up all three points at East End Park for the first time since Tommy McLean's United side won there in 1997.
It was a game where all of United's attacking players shone, with strikers Lauri Dalla Valle and Johnny Russell both getting on the scoresheet, as well as winger Gary Mackay-Steven, following an impressive cameo from the subs' bench and full back Paul Dixon.
But the win wasn't without the odd stroke of the kind of luck that has deserted United for much of the season and the side had come under the cosh after Andy Kirk got Dunfermline back into the game at 2-1 early in the second half.
Centre half Garry Kenneth failed a late fitness test, meaning skipper Jon Daly had to step back to the centre of defence to partner Gavin Gunning, with his place up front being taken by Johnny Russell who had come on and scored against Falkirk. The only other change from the midweek cup exit was youngster Ryan Dow coming in for Barry Douglas who dropped onto the bench.
Despite the recent disappointing run in the league, where United had only won once in the previous 10 matches and also suffered that League Cup quarter final exit, the players came out to a rousing reception from a strong away support that packed three sections of the stand behind Dusan Pernis's goal.
The first attempt of note came for United when Dow drifted in from the left to play a good one-two with Russell, only for his effort to sail harmlessly over the bar. United then came close when Gavin Gunning perfectly struck a free kick from 30 yards, only for Paul Gallagher to get down well to tip wide.
Dunfermline were next to press when right-back Jason Thomson earned a corner off Jon Daly that the United fans felt was unjustified, then rose well to meet a Paul Burns corner but head over the bar.
In the 13th minute, United took the lead in impressive style when a Willo Flood dead ball from the right was not properly cleared and fell invitingly for left back Paul Dixon who perfectly drilled in a superb effort from the left edge of the box that gave Gallagher no chance, before wheeling away with a Bebeto-style cradle goal celebration.
United stormed into a commanding two goal lead in the 18th minute, and the goal had shades of the fortune that has eluded United this season. Paul Dixon played a shot-come-pass that landed at the feet of Lauri Dalla Valle who seemed to mishit his first attempt only for the ball to bounce kindly for him to slot home at the second attempt.
Dunfermline tried to find a way back in the game and some good passing on the edge of the box nearly led to a breakthrough, but David Graham's dangerous long-range effort landed just at the wrong side of the post.
A bad start for the home side then got worse after 25 minutes when Garry Mason scythed into a challenge on Russell, with referee Stevie O'Reilly pausing for a moment before judging that the challenge was serious dangerous play and brandishing a straight red card.
United, who were starting to look confident and creative on the ball in midfield, threatened to put the game beyond doubt. With 10 minutes to go before half time, Willo Flood played a powerful ball into the box from the right which Ryan Dow did well to square for Scott Robertson, only for his effort to fly over the bar. Then Rankin threatened, taking the ball down well from a throw on the left before powering an effort over the bar.
United started the second half the way they ended the first and a weaving run by Ryan Dow ended with the youngster firing in a long-range effort that Gallagher held well. But they then appeared to start to lose their grip of the game, with Dunfermline starting to edge their way back into it First, Andy Kirk did well on the left before his cross from the touchline clipped the bar and went behind. Then, following some pressure, they scored when the ball deflected off Jon Daly and landed at the feet of Andy Kirk, who coolly slotted beyond Pernis.
The Pars then had a spell when they threw everything at United who desperately tried to cling onto the advantage. However, United, with Mackay-Steven on for Dalla Valle, had a lot of pace going forward and always looked dangerous on the break, which set the game up for a frantic finale. The substitute was a constant threat and one of his corners was nodded over by Gunning with 20 minutes to go.
Scott Allan, on for the lively Ryan Dow, nearly sealed the victory half an hour into the second half when he went on a mazy run, then drilled in a shot that was saved by Gallagher. From the Mackay-Steven corner, United did get a third, with Daly's initial effort blocked only for the ball to fall to Russell, who powerfully drilled home on the half volley.
United appeared well on top but, with 11 minutes to go, Daly tangled with Graham as he broke on goal. Following a lengthy discussion with his linesman, and with the home fans shouting for a red card, referee Stevie O'Reilly brandished only a yellow. Dunfermline, feeling hard done by, pressed and a goalmouth scramble nearly got them back in the game. United broke on the counter though and sealed the three points when Russell went on a weaving run then squared for Mackay-Steven who battered the ball beyond Gallagher with aplomb.
For the first time this season, it seemed United could relax in the final minutes, with song after song coming from the vocal contingent in the away end as their side strolled to victory.
DUNFERMLINE: Gallagher, J.Thomson, McCann, Mason, Keddie; Potter, Boyle (McDougall, 67), Burns, Easton (R.Thomson, 58); Kirk (Clarke, 77), Graham
Subs not used: Smith, Dowie, Willis, Young
DUNDEE UNITED (4-4-2): Pernis, Watson, Dixon, Daly, Gunning; Flood, Rankin, Robertson (Armstrong, 78), Dow (Allan, 69); Russell, Dalla Valle (Mackay-Steven, 53)
Subs not used: Banks, Douglas, Hilson, Barrett
Att: 3979
