Dundee United

  • 6-7-4
  • 5th in Scottish Premiership

    Livingston beat Dundee United to edge closer to top-flight return

    Livingston battled through to the Ladbrokes Premiership play-off final with a 4-3 aggregate win over Dundee United, following a 1-1 draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena.The Lions led 3-2 from a thrilling semi-final first-leg at Tannadice and defender Alan Lithgow stretched that advantage with a close-range header after only six minutes.Midfielder Scott Fraser drew United level in the 21st minute with a fine finish to give Csaba Laszlo's side hope of a comeback but they could not get any closer during a frantic and at times feisty 90 minutes.David Hopkin's men will likely play either Ross County or Partick Thistle - Hamilton are all but safe as they are three points and 13 goals better off than second-bottom Jags with one game remaining - with their respective fates being decided on Saturday.The first-leg of the final is on Thursday with the return game on the following Sunday.After such an encouraging result on Monday night, Livi showed only one change with midfielder Keaghan Jacobs in for Scott Robinson, who dropped to the bench.United were without captain and midfielder Willo Flood, who was sent off in the first leg, with Grant Gillespie taking over and defender Mark Durnan coming in for Jamie Robson.With fans still streaming into the ground the home side forged ahead.A searching free-kick by Jacobs was headed across goal by Jackson Longridge and the on-rushing Lithgow had the easiest of tasks heading it over the line.The Taysiders' response was impressively robust and they deservedly equalised when veteran striker Scott McDonald set up Fraser who twisted and turned inside the box before firing the ball low past keeper Neil Alexander and in off the far post.United edged the rest of the half and at the interval many of their big support moved behind the goal they were shooting into in the second half.However, the first of the action came at the other end when Scott Pittman beat United keeper Harry Lewis with a drive which rattled the post, the Tannadice goal surviving with some desperate defending.United looked more proficient in attack and the West Lothian rearguard were asked further questions which were answered, occasionally at a stretch.Livingston edged forward with increasing confidence as time began to run away from United. In the 68th minute, from a Lithgow throw-in into the box, Tannadice defender Bilel Mohsni appeared to handle in his attempt to clear but referee Don Robertson ignored the penalty claims.At the other end Billy King forced a decent save from Alexander with an effort from the edge of the box and the former Rangers keeper made a better save from McDonald's close-range shot, after Livi substitute Robinson had crashed a shot off the bar.However, the visitors ran out of belief and ultimately time, leaving Livingston one step closer to a top-flight return.
    • 7Y
    • PA Sport

      Dundee United fight back to beat Dunfermline and keep alive Premiership dream

      Sam Stanton scored the winner as Dundee United came from behind to secure a 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership play-off victory over Dunfermline.United's promotion hopes were hanging by a thread at half-time after Declan McManus and Nicky Clark failed to convert great chances to add to the former's opening goal of the tie.But United came to life after Scott McDonald's 57th-minute equaliser and Stanton waltzed through the visiting defence to book a place in the semi-finals against Livingston.The visitors had more verve about them from the start, even off the pitch, where their fans were making more noise than a strangely subdued home support in the 7,994 crowd.Dunfermline were rewarded for their positivity in the 14th minute when Fraser Aird turned Anthony Ralston and fired the ball towards the near post where McManus knocked home from a yard out.Ralston was better going forward moments later but McDonald turned the ball just wide from a similar move.United survived a series of balls into their box as the visitors consistently got round the outside of the home defence and the hosts had a massive let-off with 10 minutes left of the half when McManus failed to beat Deniz Mehmet after being played clean through.United had another escape in the final second of the half when Clark headed Aird's cross against the bar from six yards, the striker congratulating Mehmet for getting a touch.Mehmet saved from McManus in the opening moment of the second half and United continued to offer little until forcing a 57th-minute corner. Lee Robinson looked set to catch Thomas Mikkelsen's header following a Billy King delivery but McDonald got a foot to the ball to force it home from underneath the goalkeeper's eyes.The equaliser came at a cost as Mehmet had to be replaced by Harry Lewis after injuring himself while celebrating.The substitute introduced himself with an excellent save from a McManus header as the game opened up and the 20-year-old Southampton loan player made another couple of saves in quick succession.The home team and fans had been lifted by their goal though and they cut the Pars open with a sharp passing move that culminated in Stanton bursting past several players and poking the ball underneath Robinson in the 70th minute.United defended their lead without major concern and now host Livingston on Monday.
      • 7Y
      • PA Sport

        Ten-man Dunfermline hold on for draw against Dundee United

        Ten-man Dunfermline held on to frustrate Dundee United in a goalless draw in the first Scottish Premiership play-off.Neither side was able to gain an upper-hand on a night when the goalkeepers reigned supreme at East End Park.After being forced onto the back foot for much of the game, the visitors dominated the last half hour after Lee Ashcroft was shown a straight red card, but United were unable to make their man advantage count ahead of the second leg on Friday.Deniz Mehmet and Lee Robinson pulled off several stunning saves between them to frustrate the forwards, while Dunfermline also hit the bar in the first-half.It was an open start between two in-form teams, but it was hosts Dunfermline who were on the front foot in the early stages but struggled to make an impression in the final third.The only real chance of a turgid first period came when Declan McManus - an early substitute after injury to Andy Ryan - looped a header against the bar after another fine ball from Fraser Aird, but the Tangerines escaped and made it to the half-time break still level in what was a scrappy half of football.The hosts continued on the front foot after the break and should have taken the lead when Clark failed to connect properly with a free header from six yards out, heading straight at the keeper when he really should have scored.The lively Aird looked to have finally broken the deadlock after 54 minutes but after cutting in and curling towards the far corner, he saw his dipping effort brilliantly tipped over Mehmet.The turning point in the game came moments later as Ashcroft was given his marching orders for bringing down Scott McDonald when the forward was through on goal, and from there, the Tangerines gained the upper-hand and would have been ahead but for a sublime save from Robinson.Scott Fraser had fired wide minutes before a well-worked move down the right saw the ball come out to McDonald, and he thought he had opened the scoring only for the goalkeeper to pull off a spectacular save low to his right.Not to be outdone, Mehmet was called back into action as Clark glanced a header from close-range that again looked to be heading towards the back of the net only for the keeper to once again claw it out.Bilel Mohsni headed over before seeing a volley saved and Anthony Ralston had an effort cleared off the line as the Pars held on to take the tie into Friday's fixtures at 0-0.
        • 7Y
        • PA Sport
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        2024-25 SPFL Premiership Ladder

        TeamGPWDLGDP
        Celtic161420+4044
        Rangers161123+1935
        Aberdeen171043+1034
        Motherwell17827-426
        Dundee United17674+625
        St Mirren18738-524
        Dundee17548-319
        Hibernian18468-618
        Kilmarnock18468-1618
        Heart of Midlothian184410-716
        Ross County18369-2115
        St Johnstone184212-1314

        2024-25 Team Leaders

        Scottish Premiership

        Rankings

        Scottish Premiership

        Goal Difference
        6
        4th
        Goals Scored
        25
        5th
        Assists
        12
        Tied-8th
        Goals Conceded
        19
        3rd