UNITED GO THIRD WITH COMPREHENSIVE VICTORY

United beat their Championship rivals Partick Thistle 3-1 in a battling encounter with United’s goals coming from Watson (2) and Curran.

By Ian Isbister

Csaba Laszlo made two changes to the starting line-up that last played in the Championship against Queen of the South. Murdoch and Curran return to the starting 11 as Stanton and Clark make way.

There was a familiar look to the Partick Thistle side for United fans with ex-players Bell, Spittal and Slater all starting for the Jags. With United playing in tangerine, the familiar ebony gold and scarlet strip of Thistle was replaced by an all blue ensemble. The playing surface was in splendid condition and would be perfect for the playmakers of both sides.

The visitors started the game on the same points as United and Alan Archibald would be looking to get one over on his old side from the Thistle dugout.

An early injury to Thistle’s O’Ware and the introduction of Keown slowed the game down in the opening minutes. Once the game re-started it was United who made the most of it. A free-kick by Aird down the right wing was perfectly headed back across goal into the empty net by Watson. Ex-United goalkeeper Cammy Bell could only look on in despair as United took the lead. The home side continued to press and was unlucky not to be further ahead after 10 minutes when, after several crosses into the Thistle box were headed away, the ball finally fell to United’s Rabitsch in the centre of the box. His quick left foot shot was struck well, but was straight at Bell who gathered the ball at the second attempt.

Thistle started to settle into the game and were always looking to create from the back with Spittle and Storer in particular the main instigators of any Jags attack. It was these two who created Thistle’s first chance of the game, Spittal’s back header falling kindly for Storey. His first-time shot was held comfortably by Rakovan in the United goal.

At the other end, an Aird corner after 24 minutes found Safranko completely unmarked as he ran into the box. Unfortunately for him, he caught the ball late and his header flew over the bar. United, despite being only 1 goal up, were certainly showing more urgency in their game and creating extra chances. Loemba and Aird in particular were supplying the front two with plenty of chances. In 37 minutes United should have been two up. Barton found himself unmarked in the box, and the ex-Thistle player’s shot was struck well on the turn, only to see his shot well held by Bell.

The remainder of the first half was a midfield battle as both sides looked for openings. United went into the break a goal ahead and manager Laszlo could be happy with his side's promising start to the game.

Second Half: 

Neither side made any changes coming out for the second half, and it was the visitors who started on the front foot. Thistle’s Storer broke free in 46 minutes and from 20 yards out let fly a rasping shot which just flew by Rakovan’s right-hand post.

The first ten minutes of the second half were filled with stoppages as several players required treatment from the physios. Once the game settled down it was Barton who created the first opening. Turning the Thistle defence he found space on the left side of the box, but his shot was dragged wide of the right-hand post.

Both sides made heavy weather as the second half lurched from one free kick to another. Chances were few and far between as the odd glimpse of skill created windows of opportunity for both sides. 

Chasing the game, it was Thistle who appeared the more positive in the final third, Mbuyi-Mutombo looking the likeliest to make the breakthrough for the Firhill side. To their credit, the United defence looked resolute and Frans, captaining the side today, was commanding at the back. The game sprung back into life in 78 mins when United won a corner. Loemba’s perfect out swinging cross was met perfectly by Watson for his second goal of the game; slightly against the run of play, but a goal worthy of giving United an extended lead. Both goals coming from set-pieces showed United had clearly done their homework on the training ground. Further joy was to come in 86 mins when a great run by Aird down the left bye line was cut across for a tap-in by Curran to make it 3-0 United; just deserts for a player who had ran his socks off the entire game.

Partick Thistle did get a consolation in 92 minutes when Erskine nodded home from close range.

United fans gave the team plenty of cheer at the final whistle with a more spirited and attacking display of late, and manager Laszlo will be hoping for more of the same in the coming matches.

Man of the Match - Paul Watson. Plenty of players in the running for the Man of the Match award today, but Watson’s two goals enough to give him the edge.

Dundee United - Rakovan, Murdoch, Frans (c), Barton, Curran (Glass 86 mins), Safranko, Robson, Rabitsch, Aird (Booth 86 mins), Watson, Loemba, Subs not used - Siegrist (GK), McMullan, Smith, Wardrop, Edjenguele 

Partick Thistle - Bell, Elliott (c), Penrice, O’Ware (Keown 5 mins), McGinty, Spittal, Storer (Erskine 55 mins), Melbourne, Slater (Doolan 75 mins), Mbuyi-Mutombo, Storey, Subs not used - Sneddon (GK), Wilson, Fitzpatrick

Referee - David Munro

Assistants - Sean Carr and Craig Ferguson

Attendance - 5,219