Dundee Utd 3
Kilmarnock 2
League (Premiership)

Match Report

After a disappointing start to the year, United were looking to get back to their pre-Christmas form in this match at home to Kilmarnock.

United got off to a flyer when Nadir Ciftci struck the post within the first five minutes. It didn't take long for United to edge themselves in front though. Jackson Irvine slipped under pressure and Gary Mackay-Steven had time to pick his spot beyond the goalkeeper. Killie thought they had equalised when Lee Ashcroft headed home a corner but it was ruled out. Radoslaw Cierzniak denied Kris Boyd with a one-handed save before Jeroen Tesselaar cracked the rebound off the post. Shortly after Eremenko fired a low effort down the middle on the counter attack after Ciftci and Rankin had threatened at the other end. United were made to pay for that miss when Cierzniak's clearance went straight to Rory McKenzie who headed forward into the path of Alexei Eremenko and on the turn he cracked a fantastic strike into the net from a good 30 yards out.

Both sides returned for the second-half in an attacking frame of mind. Boyd twice found himself with good early chances inside the area, but after firing his first effort over the bar his second shot was blocked down by Watson. Boyd was at the centre of Killie's second goal. Cierzniak rushed out from goal but was beaten to the ball by Kris Boyd. It looked like Andrew Robertson had got back in time to clear, but he somehow missed the header and the ball bounced into the net. Allan Johnston had just a minute to celebrate the lead before United were back on level terms; Mackay-Steven's corner headed into the top corner by Curtis Good. United soon found themselves in front when Rankin fired a left foot shot from outside the area which Samson had to dive full stretch to tip wide. However he wasn't to be denied as United kept the pressure on, and after good play from Ciftci on the left John Rankin blasted into the roof of the net. The chances continued for both sides but it was United who finished stronger, and Robertson could have made it four with a pile-driver which Samson had to tip over the bar.