Zac Sapsford and Ivan Dolcek fired United to a statement victory over city rivals Dundee.

Dundee 0

Dundee United 2 (Sapsford 14', Dolcek 77')

2pm Sunday 31 August 2025

Dens Park

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 10,750

Written by: Lyall MacDonald

The Team Talk

For the 181st Dundee Derby, there were two changes to the side that narrowly lost away to Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup a fortnight ago. Manager Jim Goodwin welcomed Panutche Camará and Zac Sapsford back into the starting XI, with Craig Sibbald dropping to the bench and Max Watters missing out through injury sustained in Ayrshire.

There were four DUFC Academy graduates in the matchday squad.

A Cagey Start to Proceedings

The game began slowly, with few chances in the opening minutes. Callum Jones looked set to have the first shot on goal as he found space on the edge of the United box, but an excellent block from Krisztián Keresztes denied the Dundee midfielder.

Good work from Luca Stephenson allowed Vicko Ševelj to drive into space towards the Dundee box. Deft dribbling from our number five saw him glide past two players, but his shot was blocked and the chance was gone. Ivan Dolcek was next to try his luck inside the box, but Ryan Astley defended well to shut him down as United began to take control.

Sapsford's Strike Breaks the Deadlock!

The breakthrough came 14 minutes in, courtesy of our Australian number nine! A pinpoint pass to the byline from Dolcek found Stephenson, who fizzed in a fierce low cross for Sapsford, who made no mistake, drilling a low strike past McCracken for his third goal of the season.

The hosts looked for an immediate response, but two poor crosses from Yan Dhanda caused no problems for the United backline.

Sapsford soon came close to doubling both his tally and our lead, but his angled effort struck the side-netting.

Lacklustre Hosts Struggle in Front of Goal

Simon Murray looked close to levelling for the hosts after finding space in the box, but his lobbed effort failed to beat Kucherenko, with referee Steven McLean pulling play back for a foul on Bert Esselink in the build-up.

Chances remained scarce for Dundee as United dominated possession with half an hour played. The hosts struggled to impose themselves, with another long-range effort – this time from Dhanda – blocked bravely by Will Ferry.

That proved to be the final chance of the half, and United went into the break with a one-goal lead.

New Half, Same Performance Levels

A lapse in concentration from Jon McCracken five minutes into the second half almost gifted us another dream start. A poor first touch and pass from the Dundee goalkeeper invited pressure, but neither Sapsford nor Dolcek could convert, and McCracken just about recovered.

Dundee introduced fresh legs at half-time, but substitutes Tony Yogane and Cameron Congreve failed to make an impact, with United still firmly in control.

We almost doubled our advantage on 70 minutes when a floated cross from Sapsford found debutant Nikolaj Möller, but his header lacked the power to beat McCracken.

Dolcek Downs Dismal Dee

United’s second goal arrived on 77 minutes. A well-worked move opened up the Dundee defence, and from the resulting throw-in, Ivan Dolcek lashed home a volley to spark pandemonium in the away end at Dens Park!

United remained a threat right to the end. In stoppage time, Dolcek went close to a brace but was denied by McCracken. Moments later, Panutche Camará slipped in Dario Naamo on the counter, but again the Dundee goalkeeper saved well.

The final whistle confirmed a dominant derby display – and a memorable two-goal victory.

Post-Match Reaction

Teamlines

Dundee

Starting XI: McCracken; Wright, Astley, C. Robertson, Graham, Samuels; Jones, Hamilton; Westley, Murray, Dhanda.

Substitutes: Carson, Galabov, Koumetio, F. Robertson, Garza, Congreve, Yogane, Hay, Acquah.

Dundee United

Starting XI: Kucherenko; Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes; Stephenson, Sevelj, Camará, Ferry (c); Dolcek, Fatah, Sapsford.

Substitutes: Richards, O’Donnell, Sibbald, Eskesen, Cleall-Harding, Constable, Thomson, Naamo, Möller.

Next Up

We're back in front of the Premier Sports cameras as we travel to the capital following the international break to take on Hibernian.

Full ticket information will be made available in due course.

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