Dundee United paid the perfect tribute to club legend Doug Smith with a comprehensive victory over their local rivals at Dens.
Smith, who made 628 appearances as a player and then went on to become director and chairman at Tannadice, sadly passed away last week.
There is an intense rivalry between the two Dundee clubs but players and fans of both sides stood as one before the start of the first meaningful derby at Dens since 1995 to deliver a minute’s applause in memory of the highly respected man who was a giant on and off the park for United.
Smith would certainly have enjoyed watching Peter Houston’s side as they went about dismantling the Dark Blues for the third time this season with another 3-0 victory.
They were in control for much of the game and took the lead through Keith Watson just after the first quarter. They increased their advantage thanks to a hotly-disputed Jon Daly penalty, with a late Willo Flood “shank” putting the icing on the cake for the Tangerines.
Houston was delighted with the result and his side’s display. He said: “I thought it was a professional performance and a thoroughly-deserved win. We started the game really well and scored a good goal through Keith Watson, who had other chances as well.
“I think in recent weeks we have played better football but this was a derby match. I said it before the game and I will say it again, the most important thing for the club and the supporters is taking the three points and winning the derby match to give them the bragging rights, so I am over the moon.”
Dundee were incensed when referee Willie Collum awarded United their spot-kick in the 70th minute.
Gary Irvine had challenged Stuart Armstrong for the ball in the Dundee box but Collum allowed play to go on with Daly’s shot being saved by Rab Douglas. However, the whistler then pointed to the spot, to the utter dismay of the Dundee players.
Houston, who in the build-up to the game had confessed that the intensity of the Dundee derbies had taken him aback, was in no doubt about the decision.
He said: “I thought that when you wipe somebody out in the penalty box it is a spot-kick. What they are talking about is the fact that Jon Daly got a shot off. But our player got wiped out so, as far as I am concerned, it was a penalty kick.
“We have had a few go against us but today it went for us. I think the referee made a correct decision and a brave one because Daly got his shot off.
“However, I don’t think it all came down to the penalty decision. I thought Dundee United were the better team today. We had the better chances and scored three. I think we could have scored more but we are delighted.”
The victory took United up to seventh in the table and Houston paid tribute to an all-round team performance.
He said: “That’s three derbies I have experienced now all by 3-0 victories and I can’t really ask more of the team. I am really pleased with the team performance today. I thought the centre-backs were rocks. They won all their headers and defended strongly.
“I thought the full-backs were good and in the middle John Rankin and Willo Flood were dogs. Rudi Skacel did well running with the ball and then we have a strike pairing in Johnny Russell and Jon Daly who will be a threat to any team. So it was a complete performance from Dundee United.
“In the last five weeks we may not have won every game but I thought we have played some good football. We weren’t as good today but the United fans are away home happy, singing their songs.
“The most important thing for me is that we picked up three points and are continuing to progress and try to get into the top six.”
Dundee boss Barry Smith believes the “major decisions” went against his players.
He felt United should either have been given a penalty straight away when Stuart Armstrong was fouled in the lead-up to the second goal or advantage been played and no spot-kick given.
So he was left baffled by Collum’s decision to pull back play after Daly’s shot had been saved.
There is a meeting between SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny and managers today and Smith wants the penalty puzzle to be on the agenda.
“I think it has to be cleared up,” he said. “There are too many grey areas and that’s the problem. When is it a penalty? When do we stop it being advantage?
“He allowed Daly to have a shot and then gave a penalty. Now was that advantage or was it a penalty? It has to be one or the other it can’t be both. We have to get that sorted out.”
Smith revealed he didn’t feel it was worth taking the matter up with Collum post-match.
“There is no point because some of them just don’t give respect back,” he said. “Football is a heated game and they say we don’t give them respect. But actually some of them not all don’t give it out.”
Smith also felt the scoreline flattered United.
“They have won the game but did they deserve to win 3-0? I don’t think so,” he added. “That’s disappointing from our point of view.”
Photos by Kris MillerSee futher derby coverage in Monday’s Courier