STORY OF THE MATCH | PARTICK THISTLE (H)

Dundee United rounded off 2023 with a thumping 3-0 cinch Championship victory over third-placed Partick Thistle, with Tony Watt grabbing a hat-trick on his 30th Birthday.

The Terrors got their just rewards for a flying start on the six-minute mark as Watt broke the deadlock from close-range.

Liam Grimshaw’s cross received attention from both Louis Moult and Kai Fotheringham in the middle, with neither able to make solid contact. The rebound off Jamie Sneddon therefore sat up nicely for Watt to slam into the roof of the net from fewer than eight yards out.

One-way traffic continued to flow towards the Jags’ goal - Glenn Middleton and Thistle defender Ben Stanway going closest to doubling the hosts’ lead.

The Maryhill outfit showed the first glimpses of their attacking potency as the match approached the interval, as Steven Lawless and Aidan Fitzpatrick rifled respective efforts narrowly over Jack Walton’s crossbar.

Following the restart, a pensive atmosphere began to muster within the stadium with United boasting just a slender advantage despite their dominance.

Academy graduate Fotheringham threatened on two separate occasions from the right of the 18-yard box and Louis Moult blazed over the bar when sent through on goal by Kevin Holt - the tangerine frustration continuing to build.

Relief would come for Jim Goodwin’s side with just five minutes left to play, and it would be the birthday boy to ensure the points remained in the city of Discovery.

After receiving a slide-rule pass from substitute Chris Mochrie, Watt threw a stepover to deceive Aaron Muirhead and open space for his low drive which picked out the near post. Sights now set firmly on a first career hat-trick.

And as the clock ticked into the 89th minute, the birthday cake was iced by the former Motherwell man, who rose highest in the area to crash an unstoppable header beyond Sneddon.

The year ended as it began at McDiarmid Park - with Watt the difference maker in the Terrors favour.