Congratulations to Dundee defender Luke Graham on being selected to play in the Dundee derby earlier today by manager Tony Docherty. This was Luke’s Scottish Premiership debut and first league appearance since being promoted to the first team back in May.
Partnering Antonio Portales and Jordan McGhee in a back three for the visiting side, Dundee looked to halt a 20-year record of failing to win at Tannadice since 2004. The dark blues arrived at Tannadice Park as favourites having secured a top 6 finish in the top tier last season.
After 13 minutes the home side went ahead. United attacked quickly and David Babunski slipped an incisive pass through to Jort van der Sande to square the ball into the path of Kristijan Trapanovski.
Dundee responded well and, after a lengthy delay to clear smoke, equalised within three minutes of the restart. Luke McCowan combined neatly on the left. McCowan’s cutback was blocked but only into the path of Murray whose shot was saved by United keeper Jack Walton. Seb Palmer-Houlden was on hand to score from close range.
Five minutes later United were back in the lead. Will Ferry moved in from the left and found Vicko Sevelj with a low pass on the right. The wing back hit a fierce, first time, low cross through the goalmouth and Miller Thomson shot home at the far post.
After the third goal the dark blues went up the park and won the penalty that brought them back into the game. Murray ran into the penalty area and was wiped out by Ross Graham. The linesman’s flag was up for offside, but a VAR check was announced on both the offside decision and Graham’s challenge. After a minute or so referee David Dickinson was told that Murray was onside, and he should go to the VAR monitor. A further tense delay ensued before the referee returned to signal his decision – Dundee penalty! Luke McCowan sent his spot kick down the middle and Dundee were level after 79 minutes.
An end to end final 10 minutes proved to be a brilliant contest for the supporters on either side however no breakthrough resulted in a 2-2 draw.
Congratulations to Luke on his league debut and to all at Dundee on an impressive point in the Dundee derby to kick off their season!
