DYLAN LEVITT helped Dundee United to take a significant step towards European football next term with his first-half goal the difference between the Tannadice side and Motherwell.
It was what could best be described as an efficient performance from Tam Courts’ side with Motherwell mostly looking to hit on the break. Arguably the Fir Park side created the best chances of the game – Ross Tierney and Kaiyne Woolery saw first-half efforts come off the woodwork – while United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist produced a fine save in the closing stages of the game to deny Tierney’s header.
The win felt significant for United who are now three points ahead of Ross County and four ahead of Motherwell and all but confirms European football next season.
“Each of the three teams, when the fixtures were released, probably looked to when we were playing each other,” said Courts. “This was the first game we said, ‘this is a must-win game’.
“To maintain fourth position, heightens the chances of us finishing in one of the European spots. I’m delighted for a couple of different reasons: we kept a clean sheet and I thought we were very controlled after going a goal in front. We played some lovely stuff at times, too.”
Veteran United player Charlie Mulgrew produced a compelling midfield display that belied his 37 years. His experience and maturity was a help for Levitt, the on-loan Manchester United midfielder, who netted his second goal in as many games.
“I think the last time he [Mulgrew] played centre-midfield was for Scotland, five or six years ago,” said Courts. “That was a calculated risk but it’s where we are with our availability of players.
“It might seem like it’s a bit of a tombola, everything we try to do is calculated and Charlie gave us real balance. It was a measured performance and his experience in the middle of the park was a part of the reason we got the victory.”
Motherwell will point to slim margins between the sides. There was a significant slice of lick about United’s goal with Archie Meekison’s clever flick enabling Marc McNulty to tee up Levitt, with his effort taking a deflection before looping over Liam Kelly.
Tony Watt tried to double United’s advantage shortly after the break with a run that brought forth a corner before Meekison lifted an effort from distance high over the bar. Motherwell tried to hit United on the break with Connor Shields narrowly coming second to a through ball as Siegrist raced out of his box to got the first touch. It fell invitingly for Tierney but his attempted chip wasn’t high enough to catch out the United stopper who plucked it easily from the air.
Motherwell’s intensity increased as the game drew to its closing stages. Ricki Lamie had a header creep just wide after a deep cross from Callum Slattery. Siegrist then produced an outstanding save to top away a Tierney header from Jake Carroll’s cross.
“I thought we deserved something from the anime, without a shadow of a doubt, said Fir Park manager Graham Alexander.
“We were unfortunate to go a goal down from nothing but the focus and the discipline of the players was excellent. We didn't become disjointed and chase an equaliser too quickly.
“We were controlled and in the second half we had some great chances to score. I can't ask anymore from the players. I thought they were excellent.
“I thought we had scored at the end. It was almost a carbon copy of the goal he scored last week. It was a great ball for Jake but the keeper made a great save. There is not much you can do about that. We were just unlucky.”
And Alexander has maintained that he has not yet given up on a European place despite the fact there has been just one win for Motherwell in 15 games since the turn of the year.
“It is still there for everyone,” he said. “It is not guaranteed for anyone yet. There is still a great opportunity there for us.”
