Ciftci gives United three points

Starting XI (Dundee United): Cierzniak, Watson, Fojut, Morris, Dillon, Paton, Rankin, Erskine, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven and Ciftci

Subs: Townsend, Dow, Connolly, Spittal, Telfer, Smith and Szromnik

Booked: Watson and Rankin

Subs Used: Dow, Connolly and Spittal

Starting XI (Partick Thistle): Fox, O'Donnell, Seaborne, Balatoni, McMillan, Bannigan, Osman, Craigen, Lawless, Elliott and Doolan

Subs: Stevenson, Gallacher, Frans, Carroll, Eccleston, Wilson and McDaid

Booked: McMillan, Bannigan, Osman and Seaborne sent off

Subs Used: Carroll, McDaid and Stevenson

My Man of the Match: Sean Dillon

It was the first match after the international break for both teams. Dundee United were looking to keep pressure on Hamilton at the top of the league and Partick Thistle were looking to gain more points to climb the table.

For the first two minutes or so there wasn't much action from either of the teams. It was Partick who go the first major chance of the game as Morris gave away a corner. However, this corner didn't help play. 

Four minutes in and the action started to build. Erskine having a shot on goal but it just went wide of the post. Right up until ten minutes in only Doolan and Craigen had attempts on goal. 

Right up until the 15th minute, there wasn't much action at all. Both teams didn't create much action at all. It was end to end play which wasn't very exciting to watch for the over 6 thousand strong crowd watching.



20 minutes gone and it was United who were getting back into the game with the team having two good chances. 

For the remainder of the first half, it was mostly dominated by the home side. However, the last 5 minutes Partick Thistle tried to get back into the game. Ciftci stopped the away side gaining the lead as the teams went into the second half.

Half Time Dundee United 0 - 0 Partick Thistle 

Second half under way and the half time talk seemed to work wonders for Partick Thistle who took control of the first 5 minutes of the game.

United managed to get back into the game with two corners in a row. These never managed to come anything though. They were still managing to pressure the Partick back line.

10 minutes in and both teams are back neck and neck. Ciftci and Lawless having a shot for their sides just to name a few of the attempts that were taken right up until the hour mark.

Bookings and substitutions filled right up until the 80th minute.



Pressure from United in the closing stages of the game got the United crowd excited and pushing their team to get the three points that they vitally needed.

Partick were still pressuring with Elliot doing well at breaking down the United defence. 

83rd minute, Seaborne brings Nadir Ciftci down in the penalty area. Ciftci himself stepped up to the mark to take the penalty. A right footed shot goes past Fox to give United the lead with less than 7 minutes of regulation time to go.

This goal gave United the boost they needed and continued to stop Partick getting past the half way mark. Craigen was the only Partick player who managed to get forward through the boosted United team. Spittal had the last attempt of the game. 

It ended with Ciftci getting the only goal of the game and United getting the vital three points after a poor game for both sides.

Full Time Dundee United 1 - 0 Partick Thistle

My man of the match was Sean Dillon because he shows what a captain should do for the team. He managed to get the team sorted out and made sure that they were pressuring as much as they could. Other than doing captain duties, he also done well at defending. After coming back from a small injury he has done well to get back into the team.

Attendance: 6756