DUFC 3 FFC 0

One swallow doesn't make a summer etc etc, but jesus feck yesterday was a magnificent start to the Laszlo era.

What a difference. The team were sent out with a clear tactical plan, a way of playing that not only suited the players we have but exploited the (many) deficiencies in the opposition. We destroyed them for 90 minutes, keeping the ball on the ground and playing some terrific controlled football.

3-0 flattered them.

We scored three terrific goals. The first was after good work by Robson down the left, whose deflected cross broke for McDonald who deftly dinked a little lob into the far corner to break the deadlock. This was after we had already rattled the bar, King cutting inside and smashing a strike off the woodwork with the keeper beaten.

United pushed and pressed and created and eventually doubled the lead, Murdoch's cross controlled by Robson in the box, who twisted and slammed home with his left foot. And that was reward for the tactics of Laszlo - he had deliberately set out to push the fullbacks forward, with Flood and Fyvie dropping in to create almost a back three at times when in possession, and they combined for the goal.

United completed the scoring just on half time, a wonderful pass by Fraser cutting the Falkirk defence open and Flood, who had started the move, running on to finish well.

We didn't score any more in the second half but we still created multiple chances, and rattled the woodwork a couple of times, Fraser smashing one off the bar when he should have scored - and he missed another absolute sitter in the second half - and Fyvie hitting the post. I think we might have hit the woodwork another time but I lost track.

It was hard to pick a man of the match because they all played well. It was just a terrific team effort. Lewis didn't have a shot on target to deal with, but his distribution was very good. The centre halves played well - although I did think the ref was going to send Scobbie off after his flair up with Lee Miller just before the break. He definitely reached for his back pocket before changing his mind. Flood was excellent before coming off at half time and it's incredible to think that a few weeks ago I was convinced he was finished. Fyvie controlled the game, Stanton was very good in the multiple roles he occupied across the game, while King had probably his best game in a United shirt. McDonald led the line well.

I'm just really really pleased by it and for the first time in a long time I'm looking forward to the next game.

A word on Falkirk - given that they were touted as potential winners of the league back in the summer they are in big, big trouble. They were awful, undoubtedly the worst team that's visited Tannadice all season. They didn't ever look like getting back into it and I wouldn't be surprised to see them finish in that relegation play-off berth. Hartley has if anything made them worse.

But that's for them. Today I'm going to bask in the warmth of a positive football experience, the first for a while. And we are, of course, top of the league.

Mon the Terrors