First Team
CRAIG SIBBALD EXTENDS TANNADICE STAY
14th May 2024
United slumped to their first defeat in 12 games as Celtic edged a hard fought and at times bad tempered match at Tannadice. Despite several close things for United they did all but score and when Jennison Myrie-Williams was sent off 13 minutes from time they were up against it for the second home game in succession.
Inside two minutes United almost surged ahead when Swanson set up Goodwillie on the bye line after easily beating a couple of Celtic players on the right side. The United striker got to the ball ahead of visiting goalkeeper Boruc and clipped a shot agonisingly across the face of the goal with his left foot with the ball appearing to shave the near post on the way. Swanson was again involved as United created the next big chance after 10 minutes, this time making space for Conway to drive into the box and cut the ball back and Goodwillie could have struck it first time but opted instead to cut inside for a clearer shot, with the ball running away from him before he could do so. Moments later another Conway delivery caused Celtic problems and this time Garry Kenneth was left all alone at the back post and his powerfully struck cross come shot was cleared desperately by Glenn Loovens with Daly waiting to slide the ball home. Unfortunately for the hosts Celtic took the lead against the run of play after half an hour played. The Glasgow side worked the ball out to Fortune on the right side and his reverse pass into the area found Diomansy Kamara who rifled the ball into the top corner with the centre of the terrors defence posted completely missing. United looked initially shocked by the loss of the opener however they did pick up late in the half and Celtic had to defend well as they forced a succession of free kicks and corners. Right on half time however Celtic somehow almost found themselves two in front as a McGeady cross was steered towards the far corner by Kamara but thankfully for the hosts the ball rolled past the post.
Robbie Keane, who had endured a fairly quiet afternoon, missed a decent chance shortly after the break when a Naylor free kick met him unmarked in the box but the Irishman probably tried to be too precise as he side footed the ball way over the bar. United then came within inches of getting the equaliser they deserved in the 50th minute when a Conway cut back was hit left footed by Goodwillie and the striker was very unlucky to see the shot bounce back off the inside of the post before the visiting defence cleared. With just over an hour played the home team were again fortunate to survive as Buaben gifted possession to McGeady at the edge of the box before the winger worked his way wide and crossed to Kamara who blasted over from six yards when it looked far easier to score. United threw on Sandaza and Myrie-Williams for Daly and Swanson as they tried to find something different as they struggled to make chances however the task was made a whole lot harder with 13 minutes left as sub Myrie-Williams was sent off for a second bookable offence. After an earlier foul on Brown had led to the first yellow a clumsy late challenge against N'Guemo saw the winger leave the field of play having had no time to make an impact. Pernis then had to make a decent save from Keane as he was teed up by Fortune before another flare up off the ball led to only Buaben being booked despite several players from both sides appeared to raise hands in the melee. As United pressed forward despite being a man light a counter attack from Celtic led to the soft award of a penalty as McGeady simply ran into Pernis who had come out to narrow the angle. Robbie Keane fired the spot kick into the roof of the net to give Celtic what was a slightly flattering 2-0 win.
Full Time Summary: - United would look back on the missed chances at crucial moments of the game as the reason they went on to lose, but can be generally happy with their efforts despite this.
Man of the Match: - It was a typically energetic and industrious display from Morgaro Gomis who kept his discipline throughout and again covered the whole pitch in aid of his team.
United - Pernis, Dillon, Dods, Conway, Daly (Sandaza 73), Swanson (Myrie-Williams 62), Buaben, Gomis, Kenneth, Kovacevic, Goodwillie (Cadamarteri 78). Subs not used - Banks, Webster, S Robertson, Cadamarteri, D Robertson.
Celtic - Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, N'Guemo, Keane, Brown, Fortune, Kamara (Samaras 90), Loovens (Wilson 59), Rogne (O'Dea 33), McGeady. Subs not used - Zaluska, Crosas, Caddis, McGowan.
Referee - Ian Brines
Att: 8,638
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
Inside two minutes United almost surged ahead when Swanson set up Goodwillie on the bye line after easily beating a couple of Celtic players on the right side. The United striker got to the ball ahead of visiting goalkeeper Boruc and clipped a shot agonisingly across the face of the goal with his left foot with the ball appearing to shave the near post on the way. Swanson was again involved as United created the next big chance after 10 minutes, this time making space for Conway to drive into the box and cut the ball back and Goodwillie could have struck it first time but opted instead to cut inside for a clearer shot, with the ball running away from him before he could do so. Moments later another Conway delivery caused Celtic problems and this time Garry Kenneth was left all alone at the back post and his powerfully struck cross come shot was cleared desperately by Glenn Loovens with Daly waiting to slide the ball home. Unfortunately for the hosts Celtic took the lead against the run of play after half an hour played. The Glasgow side worked the ball out to Fortune on the right side and his reverse pass into the area found Diomansy Kamara who rifled the ball into the top corner with the centre of the terrors defence posted completely missing. United looked initially shocked by the loss of the opener however they did pick up late in the half and Celtic had to defend well as they forced a succession of free kicks and corners. Right on half time however Celtic somehow almost found themselves two in front as a McGeady cross was steered towards the far corner by Kamara but thankfully for the hosts the ball rolled past the post.
Robbie Keane, who had endured a fairly quiet afternoon, missed a decent chance shortly after the break when a Naylor free kick met him unmarked in the box but the Irishman probably tried to be too precise as he side footed the ball way over the bar. United then came within inches of getting the equaliser they deserved in the 50th minute when a Conway cut back was hit left footed by Goodwillie and the striker was very unlucky to see the shot bounce back off the inside of the post before the visiting defence cleared. With just over an hour played the home team were again fortunate to survive as Buaben gifted possession to McGeady at the edge of the box before the winger worked his way wide and crossed to Kamara who blasted over from six yards when it looked far easier to score. United threw on Sandaza and Myrie-Williams for Daly and Swanson as they tried to find something different as they struggled to make chances however the task was made a whole lot harder with 13 minutes left as sub Myrie-Williams was sent off for a second bookable offence. After an earlier foul on Brown had led to the first yellow a clumsy late challenge against N'Guemo saw the winger leave the field of play having had no time to make an impact. Pernis then had to make a decent save from Keane as he was teed up by Fortune before another flare up off the ball led to only Buaben being booked despite several players from both sides appeared to raise hands in the melee. As United pressed forward despite being a man light a counter attack from Celtic led to the soft award of a penalty as McGeady simply ran into Pernis who had come out to narrow the angle. Robbie Keane fired the spot kick into the roof of the net to give Celtic what was a slightly flattering 2-0 win.
Full Time Summary: - United would look back on the missed chances at crucial moments of the game as the reason they went on to lose, but can be generally happy with their efforts despite this.
Man of the Match: - It was a typically energetic and industrious display from Morgaro Gomis who kept his discipline throughout and again covered the whole pitch in aid of his team.
United - Pernis, Dillon, Dods, Conway, Daly (Sandaza 73), Swanson (Myrie-Williams 62), Buaben, Gomis, Kenneth, Kovacevic, Goodwillie (Cadamarteri 78). Subs not used - Banks, Webster, S Robertson, Cadamarteri, D Robertson.
Celtic - Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, N'Guemo, Keane, Brown, Fortune, Kamara (Samaras 90), Loovens (Wilson 59), Rogne (O'Dea 33), McGeady. Subs not used - Zaluska, Crosas, Caddis, McGowan.
Referee - Ian Brines
Att: 8,638
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
