Match ends, Dundee United 3, Dundee 0.
Dundee UtdDundee United3DundeeDundee0
- United win Tayside derby at Tannadice
- Nadir Ciftci on target twice
- Victory not enough to clinch fourth place
Dundee United defeated their city rivals at Tannadice but it was not enough to keep alive their hopes of playing European football next season.
Nadir Ciftci scored two first-half goals, punishing a slip by Dundee goalkeeper Kyle Letheren for the opener and adding another from the spot.
Dundee battled throughout but Blair Spittal's cool finish after the break put the result beyond the Dark Blues.
However, St Johnstone's win in Aberdeen means it is they who finish fourth.
United began the Scottish Premiership match one point and one place behind the Perth Saints, who must hope third-placed Inverness, who have already qualified for Europe, win the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk next weekend to free up a Europa League qualifying place.
Dundee were the sharper in the tackle in the early minutes and their efforts had their fans in good voice.
Yet they trailed after only eight minutes when Chris Erskine clipped a ball through for Ciftci to chase and he was gifted the chance to walk the ball into the net when Letheren slipped when he came out to clear.
Home full-back Ryan McGowan was a threat with his throw-ins from the right and with Erskine and Spittal looking in the mood, United looked capable of extending their lead.
Dundee offered a threat too, notably from the lively Luka Tankulic and Greg Stewart, the latter tormenting Erskine on the goalline out on the left to set up Stephen McGinn for a side-footed shot at goal which United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak saved.
Paul Hartley's men found themselves two goals down when Thomas Konrad, who was already on a booking, nudged Ciftci off the ball to concede a penalty.
The Turk kept his cool to send Letheren the wrong way and double the visitors' lead.
Dundee never gave up but had no answer to United's clinical finishing.
Spittal won the ball in midfield and had the sense to quickly get back to his feet and race for goal where he latched on to John Rankin's precise through ball.
He picked his spot to rifle a low shot beyond Letheren and at that point it was United who were heading for fourth place in the Premiership.
Ryan McGowan leapt above Dundee defender Gary Irvine to meet Erskine's cross from the right and crack a header off the crossbar as United turned the screw.
John Souttar tested Letheren's reflexes with a cheeky back-heel from six yards. and in the closing minutes McGowan volleyed wide after some eye-catching skill by Ciftci out on the right wing.
However, Chris Kane's 70th-minute goal for St Johnstone at Pittodrie meant United's victory earned local bragging rights rather than a possible Continental foray next season.
Line-ups
Dundee Utd
Formation 4-4-2
- 1CierzniakSubstituted forSzromnikat 90+2'minutes
- 2Dillon
- 5FojutBooked at 90mins
- 4SouttarBooked at 42mins
- 3DixonBooked at 90mins
- 24SpittalSubstituted forCooteat 75'minutes
- 8Rankin
- 16McGowan
- 17Erskine
- 7Ciftci
- 10MuirheadSubstituted forConnollyat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 20Butcher
- 21Telfer
- 22Connolly
- 23Smith
- 26Szromnik
- 30Anier
- 43Coote
Dundee
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Letheren
- 19McGinnBooked at 16mins
- 5McPakeBooked at 63mins
- 4KonradBooked at 24minsSubstituted forGadzhalovat 45'minutes
- 2Irvine
- 18McGowan
- 20McAlisterBooked at 89mins
- 11FerrySubstituted forHarkinsat 60'minutes
- 15Stewart
- 48McGinnSubstituted forWightonat 67'minutes
- 21Tankulic
Substitutes
- 24Black
- 26Gadzhalov
- 29Harkins
- 31Brodie
- 33Wighton
- 35Colquhoun
- Referee:
- Bobby Madden
- Attendance:
- 10,812
Match Stats
Home TeamDundee UtdAway TeamDundee
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home19
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dundee United 3, Dundee 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. John Souttar (Dundee United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Dundee United. Michal Szromnik replaces Radoslaw Cierzniak.
Booking
Paul Dixon (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Paul Dixon (Dundee United).
Post update
Greg Stewart (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by John Rankin (Dundee United).
Post update
Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Jaroslaw Fojut (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Jim McAlister (Dundee) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
John Souttar (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Greg Stewart (Dundee).
Post update
Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jim McAlister (Dundee).
Post update
Attempt missed. Greg Stewart (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Post update
Foul by Jaroslaw Fojut (Dundee United).
Post update
Gary Harkins (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan McGowan (Dundee United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
