Dundee Claim Derby Victory

The Terrors suffered defeat as Dundee claimed a 2-0 victory in the first derby of the campaign at the CalForth Construction Arena in the early evening kick-off.

Jim Goodwin made six changes from the side that faced Celtic last weekend, with Will Ferry and Pan Camara returning to the starting XI. Dylan Tait also came back into the side following last week's Premier Sports Cup suspension, while Abdoulaye Yoro, Idjesse Metsoko and Medhi Merghem made their first competitive starts for the club. Emmanuel Agyei missed out through injury.

A crowd of 13,337 created a strong atmosphere at the CalForth Construction Arena, with the United end sold out.

The opening stages were closely contested, with Dundee threatening from set pieces while The Terrors looked to create openings through the movement of Yoro, Metsoko and Merghem.

Merghem's free-kick from a central position was blocked by the Dundee wall, while Walton was required to come off his line to head clear a through ball before dealing comfortably with a curling effort from Forrest.

The Tangerines began to create opportunities as the half progressed. A corner from Merghem was met by Ševelj, whose header was pushed away by Goodman in the Dundee goal, before Randall curled an effort narrowly wide.

Merghem was again involved shortly afterwards, attacking down the right at pace before sending a low ball across the face of goal which Metsoko was unable to get on the end of.

Dundee took the lead shortly before the half following a quick counter. Drey Wright found space 30 yards from goal on the angle and fired beyond Jack Walton to put the visitors ahead.

Daniel Bennie replaced Jesse Randall at the interval as the Terrors looked to respond.

Abdoulaye Yoro forced a save from Goodman shortly after the restart before Bert Esselink fired over from range. 

Dundee doubled their advantage on 57 minutes. Robertson's inswinging corner caused problems in the United area, with an effort being struck before glancing off Owen Beven's leg and into the net.

The gaffer made a double change on the hour, with Zac Sapsford, Neil Farrugia introduced as the hosts searched for a way back into the contest. Lachie Rose then replaced Abdoulaye Yoro midway through the second half.

Will Ferry's long throws provided a number of attacking opportunities, one eventually falling to Tait who saw his effort go over the bar.

The Terrors continued to look for an opening and the influential Pan Camará drove through the middle before finding Sapsford, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner.

Rose was then sent through on goal but could only watch on as his lifted effort over the Dundee goalkeeper went agonisingly wide, while Esselink produced an important block on the line at the other end as Dundee threatened once more.

The Tangerines continued to press during the closing stages. Sapsford headed wide from a Ševelj cross before Farrugia fired wide from distance.

Two late corners also presented opportunities, with Bennie and Ševelj both seeing efforts narrowly miss the target.

Despite the late pressure, the Terrors were unable to find a way back into the contest as Dundee saw out the closing stages to claim the points.

Dundee United 0

Dundee 2 (Wright 43’, O Bevan 57’)

5.45pm Saturday 22 August 2026

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 13,337

Teamlines

DUNDEE UNITED

Starting XI: Walton, Esselink, Ševelj, Merghem, Camara, Tait (c), Ferry, Forbes, Randall, Yoro, Metsoko
 
Subs: Amissah, Iovu, Graham, Sapsford, Rose, Ciubotaro, Farrugia, Rawlins, Bennie

DUNDEE

Starting XI: Goodman, Odutayo, Astley, O Bevan, Wright, Finnegan, Forrest, Reilly, Westley, J Bevan, Hamilton
 
Subs: O’Hara, Halliday, Wales, Robertson, Besir, Fink, Jones, Oosenburgh, Crombie

Next Up

The Terrors will travel to Ayrshire for the clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday 29 August, kick-off is at 3pm.

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