Mellon hails Shankland masterclass as United dent Lions’ pride
MICKY MELLON came into this clash after a week he described as ‘madness’, with heavy snow causing havoc and forcing Dundee United’s players to conduct a training session via Zoom.
Those crazy events merely served as the warm-up for a chaotic clash which saw both the hosts and Livingston end the game with 10 men — and the Tannadice boss hailing ‘fantastic’ two-goal hero Lawrence Shankland.
Adrian Sporle fired Mellon’s men ahead after 50 seconds before United midfielder Peter Pawlett was sent off for a challenge on Jason Holt. But the hosts doubled their lead thanks to Shankland’s calm finish before half-time.
Livvy defender Jack Fitzwater also saw red just after the hour mark for a last-man tackle before Shankland sealed the points late on with his seventh goal of the season.
United secured back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time this season as they returned to the top six and Mellon said: ‘It’s important sometimes in Scotland that we celebrate players in our league like Lawrence.
‘I thought he was that good — it was a fantastic centre-forward’s display. The hold-up play, the cleverness, technique. Too often we are too down on ourselves in Scotland. Sometimes you have to say: “You know what? We have some real talent in our division”. He took his goals well.’
The hosts burst into action right from kick-off and were ahead inside the opening minute.
Jamie Robson’s cross from the left met the onrushing Sporle, who took the ball in his stride and fired high into the net from ten yards.
Livingston’s woes continued after 12 minutes when striker Scott Robinson had to go off injured and was replaced by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
‘I think Scott got a knee in the back,’ said Lions manager David Martindale, who was left sweating over Robinson’s availability for the Betfred Cup final against St Johnstone in a fortnight.
‘Scott going off changed the way we had to play and we struggled. I don’t know if he will be okay for the cup final,’ he added.
United almost doubled their lead on 27 minutes but Shankland’s effort was cleared off the line.
Suddenly, though, this clash took another twist when Pawlett saw red for a challenge on Holt.
The home players protested but referee Nick Walsh was unmoved.
‘I’m too far away to be honest,’ admitted Mellon afterwards. ‘But I looked at the reaction of the players and it was a bit aghast. A hands-in-head moment.
‘Both benches were surprised as well but I will try never to criticise referees because it’s a tough job.’
Mellon’s need to switch things resulted in scorer Sporle being subbed for Ian Harkes and the Argentine was not pleased. But
United were soon smiling again as Harkes made an immediate impact, setting Shankland up to slot beneath Max Stryjek for 2-0.
Livvy searched for a response and four minutes after the break, Craig Sibbald’s header was tipped over the crossbar by home keeper Benjamin Siegrist.
Sibbald then turned provider with a cutback for EmmanuelThomas but he blasted the ball over from close range.
The drama continued when Fitzwater was sent off midway through the second half for a last-man challenge on Harkes near the edge of the penalty box.
And United wrapped things up with six minutes remaining when Shankland cut inside and curled the ball beyond Stryjek.
‘We were not of a mentality where we thought we belong,’ added Mellon. ‘We are new to the division and wanted to grow. With a performance like that we can now consider ourselves a decent Premiership side.’
For Livvy, it is two losses on the bounce after Martindale had enjoyed a stunning 14-game unbeaten start to his reign. A return to form is badly needed ahead of the Betfred Cup final.
Martindale was frustrated by the loss but joked: ‘The tactics board had a hole in it now!’
Asked if his players had one eye on the final, the Livvy manager added: ‘If it wasn’t on their minds before the game, it will be now.
‘I’ve also got to do better as there were moments I was looking to change the game and didn’t do it quickly enough.’
DUNDEE UTD (4-4-2): Siegrist; Smith, Edwards, Reynolds, Robson; Appere (McNulty 78), Pawlett, Butcher, Fuchs; Shankland, Sporle (Harkes 34).
Subs (not used): Mehmet, Connolly, Clark, Hoti, Bolton, Mochrie, Neilson.
Booked: Fuchs, Butcher. Sent off: Pawlett. LIVINGSTON (4-2-3-1): Stryjek; Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Serrano; Holt, Bartley (Lawson 71); Mullin, Pittman (Poplatnik 64), Sibbald (Kabia 64); Robinson (Emmanuel-Thomas 12). Subs (not used): McCrorie, McMillan, Ambrose, Forrest, Taylor-Sinclair. Booked: Sibbald. Sent off: Fitzwater.
Referee: Nick Walsh.