LEVITT LIGHTS EURO PATH
Welshman gives United advantage in race for a coveted continental spot
IT IS advantage Dundee United in the race for Europe after this narrow but vital victory over Motherwell at Tannadice.
The Tangerines had taken the lead in their previous three games but had not managed to hold on to win any of the contests.
However, they corrected that failing against the Steelmen thanks to a solitary strike from Manchester United loanee Dylan Levitt, the midfielder’s second goal in successive games.
United now sit three points clear of Ross County in fifth although the Tangerines’ next two games are against Rangers and Celtic.
The result was yet another disappointment for the Steelmen who still only have one league win since the turn of the year.
United head coach Tam Courts made three changes from the team that lost to Hearts last Sunday, with Marc McNulty, Archie Meekison and Lewis Neilson coming in for Nicky Clark, Chris Mochrie and Ilmari Niskanen.
Motherwell counterpart Graham Alexander made just two alterations to the team that was beaten by Rangers at Fir Park last time out, with Kaiyne Woolery and Mark O’Hara being drafted in for Dean Cornelius and Joe Efford.
As the game kicked off, there was a major surprise in the home starting formation, with Charlie Mulgrew playing in midfield instead of his usual centre-half spot.
The Steelmen had the first big opportunity of the game in the eighth minute when a long punt from keeper Liam Kelly was misjudged by United’s Liam Smith, with Tierney capitalising to advance down the left before hitting a curling shot that cannoned off the inside of United goalie Benji Siegrist’s far post.
United’s Tony Watt, who left Motherwell for Tannadice in January and was being booed every time he touched the ball by the travelling support, provided what was a half chance for Smith in front of goal but the wing-back could not take advantage.
Motherwell then hit the woodwork for the second time in the match when referee Kevin Clancy played a good advantage as the ball ran through to Woolery, who unleashed a fierce drive that smashed off Siegrist’s crossbar.
United hit back with an attempt of their own but Meekison dragged his shot from the edge of the
Motherwell penalty area wide. Overall though, the Tangerines were struggling to find any attacking fluency, with Kelly a virtual spectator.
United also continued to look nervy at the back with Neilson the next to make a mistake with Woolery racing through on goal but this time, Siegrist made a timely intervention to snuff out the danger. However, it was United who took the lead in the 37th minute. Meekison played his part with a brilliant flick before Watt teed up Levitt, whose shot looped up and over Kelly thanks to a deflection.
The United fans were then howling for a penalty-kick when Woolery barged into the back of Scott
McMann inside the visitors’ box but referee Clancy saw no offence.
The home side headed down the tunnel still narrowly in front, although the Motherwell players must have been wondering how they had not at least scored once in the first 45.
Watt gave the Motherwell defence a scare at the start of the second half with a burst of pace into their box but he could not get his shot off and the ball was cleared for a corner.
Motherwell struggled to make much of an impact as the game edged towards the hour mark, with
the Tannadice men looking comfortable in the lead.
The home side were appealing for a penalty once more when McNulty looked to be tugged back as he raced towards goal but again Clancy was not impressed.
Kelly’s heart would have been in his mouth shortly after when he cannoned a clearance off McNulty but, luckily for the keeper, the ball flew wide.
United’s McMann had a chance to increase his side’s lead but his long-range shot was comfortably held by Kelly.
Motherwell sub Joe Efford then hit an ambitious strike of his own, with Siegrist having to brilliantly dive low to his left to turn the shot wide for a corner.
There was a lengthy stoppage after Smith collided with team-mate McNulty — the latter having to limp off following treatment from the physio.
Motherwell came close to equalising in the 83rd minute when Callum Slattery whipped a freekick in from the left which was met by Ricki Lamie, but he sent his powerful header just wide.
United nerves were really jangling just seconds later when Tierney sent a downward header towards goal with Siegrist producing a superb save to deny the Steelmen.
The home side then came close to sealing the win deep in stoppage time when a Ross Graham 22-yard shot took a big deflection but Kelly managed to race across his goal to make a vital stop.