The weekend’s biggest match lived up to its hype as Dundee battled back twice to deny Dundee United victory on their return to the Scottish Premiership—the first city derby in almost two years.
Following two scoreless draws on Saturday, three goals in the first half of the season ignited the new top flight.
Before the Championship flag from the previous season was flown, Dundee had given their hosts a guard of honor. After just 13 minutes, they gave Kristijan Trapanovski plenty of space to score the first goal.
Seb Palmer-Houlden equalised from close range five minutes later, but Miller Thomson restored the lead with a similar finish – all within the opening quarter of the game.
United deserved their lead, but Dundee finished the stronger in a pulsating finish that followed a Luke McCowan penalty with 11 minutes remaining.
It denied United a fourth consecutive victory, but they are now unbeaten in seven derbies, while Dundee have not won at Tannadice in 13 visits.
Both sides headed into the game having scored freely in qualifying from the League Cup group stage and they continued where they left off.
United had already been the more dangerous side before debutant Jort van der Sande set up the unmarked Trapanovski to slot home his fourth goal of the season with precision from 16 yards.
On-loan Bristol City striker Palmer-Houlden was on hand to grab his fourth of the season after Simon Murray’s low drive was parried out by returning Luton Town loanee Jack Walton.
Thomson then slotted home his first United goal from close range from a superb low Vicko Sevelj cross.
Lyall Cameron denied United a third as he cleared a Trapanovski chip over Jon McCracken from in front of goal after the break, but it was Dundee who had the final say after Ross Graham’s studs-first lunge at Murray’s ankle.
Positive signs despite late lapse
The jury was out on Jim Goodwin’s rebuilt United side after they scraped into the League Cup last 16 as one of the best runners-up following an opening defeat by League 1 champions Falkirk.
Nevertheless, they scored 18 goals in the following three victories and their summer signings continue to impress.
Goodwin’s sojourn into the Eastern European transfer market appears to have unearthed some gems, while Dutch-born striker Van der Sande gave hints of being another good addition.
However, 20-year-old wide man Thomson, who spent last season on loan to Montrose, showed there is local emerging talent there too as this United look to have improved on the version that ground their way to the Championship title last season.
Defensively, though, there remains work to be done.
Murray to rescue for visitors
Dundee journeyed the 150 yards down Tannadice Street buoyed by a 100% League Cup record, scoring 18 goals in the process, and last season’s top-six Premiership finish.
Like their hosts, early signs suggest summer signings mean an improved squad from last term.
However, on this occasion, Ethan Ingram was quiet and fellow wing-back Ziyad Larkeche was given a hard time by United counterpart Thomson as the 21-year-old Queens Park Rangers loanee made his Dundee debut.
However, although United managed to prevent Murray adding to his five goals in two games on his return to Tannadice as a Dark Blue for the second time, Dundee can thank the returning striker’s tenacity for a point that shares the city bragging rights.
What they said
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: “I thought we deservedly got ourselves in front. The goals we concede – disappointing.
“We cause our own problems for the first one and the second one, the penalty, I’m not arguing with the decision – it was the correct call. I am pleased with the point but definitely disappointed because I thought we had the opportunity to kill the game off and we didn’t.”
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: “I’m probably not content with a point. The way the game finished, I definitely thought we were in the real ascendency.
“We got a fantastic chance with Curtis Main, Simon Murray also had one saved by the goalkeeper. When the dust settles, it’s a derby away from home, we came behind twice. I shouldn’t be disappointed, but I am.”