The opening derby of the new season saw United and Dundee play out a 0-0 draw and in the end neither side can complain about the final result.
Dundee battled from start to finish and Jim Duffy has instilled a new fighting spirit into the side. Added to that there was enough composure and flair from Nemsadze, Novo and Caballero to keep the purists happy. United found themselves matched for effort, but their defence which has came in for a lot of criticism recently was outstanding, and Gunnlauggson looked an accomplished player in midfield, though at times seemed to have no one to link with.
The only one on one chance of the entire game fell to Stevie Lovell of Dundee who scuffed his shot into Gallacher’s hands.
The game began with United on the attack and Wilkie has to head away a very dangerous cross that almost set a United player in with a clear header on goal.
Nemsadze turns on some magic in midfield finding Novo wide on the right and the wee man’s low cross is cut out by the tangerine defence. Not long after another Novo cross is headed towards Lovell by Nemsadze but the pass is cut out before the English striker can get a sniff at goal.
Nacho Novo pulls out a magnificent one handed save from Paul Gallacher when he cuts inside his man and fires a great shot towards the far top corner only for the keeper to respond brilliantly.
A Lovell header is saved easily by Gallacher, though he has to stretch himself fully to grasp the ball.
A brilliant Nemsadze chip over the United defence ends when Novo is caught offsides.
A Gunnlauggson Arnar corner sees a superb header by United's number 5 and Julian Speroni is forced to make his first save of the game, and he deals with it comfortably.
Nacho Novo is booked for mouthing at the referee after he felt he should have been awarded a foul.
Half time summing up, Dundee just edged it by having some very creative players on the park in Caballero, Novo and Nemsadze. The master tactician Jim Duffy had snuffed out the threat of Charlie Miller by giving Barry Smith a marking job on him and Barry had played superbly.
Dundee get a free kick outside the box and when Nemsadze taps it to Fabian Caballero he fires it towards the corner but Gallacher gets down to his right to make a good save.
Steve Lovell is given possession on the edge of the box after great leading up play by Nemsadze and Caballero. He attempts to curl the ball into the top corner but his effort is well wide.
Gavin Rae is given a half chance on the left of the goal, tries to hit it with his left and the finish is tame and easily gathered by Gallacher.
Steve Lovell misses the easiest chance of the game, set up by a delightful Novo pass. The striker completely mishits his shot and the ball trundles harmlessly into the arms of a grateful Paul Gallacher.
Sara replaces Lovell not long after that and United are improving as the half wears on and are beginning to threaten Dundee for the first time in the game.
The game is end to end and the pace never faltered for a moment as both teams went all out for the goal that could seal the 3 points.
Lee Mair replaced Hutchinson, who had played magnificently for his first ever game in any first team and Smith fell back to fill the gap in central defence.
Alan Smart is introduced for United but within minutes he gets a straight red card for what seemed to be a blatant kick at Hernandes as he raced away from him. Several Dundee players are fortunate not to be yellow carded for their pushing and shoving of the offender. The referee consults with his linesman and both are agreed Smart had to go.
United actually played much better with 10 men and a glorious free kick is responded to in like fashion with Julian Speroni making the save of the game to tip it over the bar.
Summing Up: United played much better in the second half but they looked just that bit short on craft and guile. Players like Nemsadze and Caballero ensured Dundee had more than their fair share of skill on view. Lovell should have scored for Dundee and Speroni had no right to make such an amazing save, so both teams can claim they should have had a goal apiece.
Jim Duffy has some sorting out to do on the timing of runs by players like Caballero and Novo. In their eagerness to get in behind the United defence they were running too early and by the time the pass was delivered were offsides. But a cracking derby. Dundee climbed a place whilst United fell to bottom on goal average with Hibs. That's sods law and now United must travel to Aberdeen on the 10th September with Dundee at home to Livingstone on the Wednesday night, the 11th.
GOAL – JULIAN SPERONI – Little to do first half but dealt with cross balls like a veteran. His save near the end was crucial and his handling and composure was breathtaking at times. What a find this young Argentinian was. BACK 4 – DAVE MACKAY – Perhaps the best game I’ve seen this kid play, he concentrated from start to finish and always looked very composed and in control. He’s coming on well the more games he plays. LEE WILKIE – This was an international class performance by the big man. His winning of high balls was amazing and on the deck he displayed a cool head and no lack of skill. DON HUTCHINSON – I, for one, was doubtful of Duffy’s decision to throw this 20 year old into the first team. A Fulham fan had informed me he had played only one first team match for them, in a friendly. I thought the kid was immense and was a pinch at £50,000. There was little or no aerial threat from United with Hutchy and Wilkie in such form. JONAY HERNANDES – Played well, though until near the end was curtailed from his usual roving role down the left flank. Unfortunately his usually superb left foot crosses weren’t so accurate today, but he still played well. MIDFIELD:- GIORGI NEMSADZE – Some amazing touches shown, great composure on the ball and one of the few players on the park today who was able to slow the game down, even bring it to a halt, with the ball at his feet. He pierced the United defence time after time with great deliveries only for players to stray offsides. BARRY SMITH – had to pinch myself to believe this was Barry in a midfield role. He marked Charlie Miller and completely kept him out of the game until he was subbied late in the match. Duffy apologised on Radio Scotland for such a spoiling tactic, but it worked and Barry had a magnificent game, battling for every ball and winning a huge majority of them. GAVIN RAE – Had his moments, especially in the first half, but still gives too many balls away needlessly. Working much harder under Duffy, but he’s still well short of his international form of early last season. STRIKERS: NACHO NOVO – Worked tirelessly and often had two men rushing over to contain him on the right. Despite this he delivered some telling cross balls that found no takers. Forced Gallacher to make a superb save in the first half and this man was a snip at £100,000. FABIAN CABALLERO – One of the most entertaining players on the park. Lost count of the number of times he sidestepped or dribbled past defenders who used every trick in the book to stop him. His skills would have delighted any neutrals at the game and he was very creative. Is he back to his best? Surely not far from it. STEVIE LOVELL – Got his chance to notch yet another match winner but fluffed it. I think he found the pace of the derby match a bit too much for him and looked tired after 20 minutes. I’d rather see him used as a sub until he learns the pace of the game up here. SUBS:- JUAN SARA replaced Lovell and though he began brightly enough failed to win enough high balls for my liking and didn’t get a clear chance on goal. LEE MAIR replaced the brilliant Tom Hutchinson and though he received plenty of the ball in midfield failed to make any real contribution to the game the time he was on.