A FLOODY Shankland ends his two-game ‘drought’ with
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has improved playing with Shane and can keep that going if Shane moves on.”
Elgin had little in terms of chances until the game opened up in 42 minutes.
Hester latched on to a through pass and rolled the ball under Lyle Avci.
Sutherland made it two when he netted with a free-kick in 67 minutes.
The pair combined well in 71 minutes, Sutherland finding Hester from the byline for a tap-in.
Omar scored No.4 with nine minutes left, firing high into the net. If Lawrence Shankland reckons two games is a drought, the third was always going to bring the flood.
The on-fire Scotland striker bagged the perfect hat-trick, his third treble of the season, in a Maryhi l l monsoon as United stretched their lead at the top to 17 points.
And af ter back- to- back blanks, the frontman was thri l led to get his scoring record back on track.
Argentine Adrian Sporle grabbed his first league goal for Robbie Neilson’s men but the plaudits go to Shankland.
His 24 goals in 24 games since moving to Tannadice keeps him front and centre for Steve Clarke, with Scotland’s play-off looming in just 10 weeks.
And the 24-year-old grinned: “I knew I was due! It’s always good getting a hat- trick but when it’s a perfect one – header, right foot, left foot – it makes it that wee bit better.
“This is the best I’ve played since I came back from injury.
“And while Scotland isn’t in my mind constantly, I know if I’m performing at my best and scoring then I’ll be in with a shout of being involved.”
The only downer for United was the sight of Nicky Clark hobbling out of the game with a ankle injury.
Neilson admits he fears the worst. He said: “Nicky’s had to go to the hospital and might be out for an extended period.
“But I was pleased to get the result after not really doing too well in the first 25 minutes.”
Neilson had given new signing Dillion Powers, a sixyear MLS veteran from Orlando City, a debut as his midfield
Partick Thistle .... 1 Dundee Utd......... 4
Gordon Waddell
anchor, and he added: “I was surprised we got him.
“He was one of the best midfielders in the league at Colorado Rapids. You can see already he’s going to be a big player for us.”
United didn’t start like a team used to sweeping all before them, though.
Dario Zanatta forced the ever-impressive Ben Siegrist into a sharp stop then headed straight at the Swiss No.1 from a Joe Cardle cross.
Next Siegrist denied Kenny Mi l ler but the Jags were sucker-punched twice in seven minutes before the break.
They were such cheap goals as well – Clark’s corner headed home by Shankland at the near post then Sporle bundling home Declan Glass’ ball across the face of goal from a yard out.
On the hour Shankland tore down the left channel and blew past Tam O’Ware before burying his right-foot shot in to the bottom corner.
Thistle coughed up No.4 the same way, this time sub Peter Pawlett running it down to deliver for
Shank land who slammed home an outstanding left-foot effort across Scott Fox.
Partick’s consolation came after Siegrist’s poor parry and Miller stabbed home.
McCall hopes to strengthen his side but said: “The first half hour was the best we’ve played at Firhill but we should have gone ahead. Then the two goals in the last few minutes of the first half killed it for us.”