DUFC 4 AUFC 0

Football is a strange game. United won 4-0 against Ayr on Saturday and I'm sure those only looking at the score thought this was a comfortable win, but the reality was that if you'd asked me for a prediction after 40 minutes played I'd have taken a draw.

United were second best for most of the first half and Ayr had pretty much the most of the attacking play in the game and looked the more likelier. True that they didn't test Benji very often - bar a save for the photographers he didn't have many saves to make - but they looked much better than the slow, ponderous home team.

Then a mistake by a defender let McMullan tackle him near his own penalty box, with the recalled winger cutting inside and squaring to Stanton for a neat finish into the bottom corner.

It was probably indicative of our performance that McMullan and Stanton were in those positions in the first place. Neilson had tried a few changes to the positioning of players as the first half wore on as nothing seemed to be working. First it was Clark who partnered Shankland, then McMullan up front after starting right wing, then Stanton up front with McMullan on the left. Neilson's constant shifting of positions often frustrates me, but on this occasion it certainly paid off.

There was still a lot of work to do though but we were better second half. The game was finished on the hour after a moment of real controversy. The ball broke into the box and Stanton swivelled for a shot at goal. Mark Kerr tried to intercept and as Stanton swung, he seemed to catch his foot. Penalty. Then Kerr raced over to the referee, and as the ref booked someone else (the left back I think) for dissent, Kerr said something as he walked away. Out came the red and the player/manager was sent off. Kerr then proceeded to have a go at Stanton. Mental. Shankland scored from the spot.

After that it was very comfortable for United and we controlled the match. Clark got the third after another defensive mistake allowed United to intercept in a dangerous area and Shankland squared for Clark to convert. Harkes completed the scoring with a fine strike into the bottom corner, which must have been sweeter since his family was in the stands to watch him on Saturday (despite the fact he couldn't find them after scoring).

All in all another comprehensive victory and another sign that maybe, just maybe, we're going to be Champions of this division after all. We remain thirteen points ahead after winning all nine games in this quarter of the season. We reach the half-way point in a commanding position.

Attention now turns to Friday night and the third derby of the season. Thoroughly looking forward to welcoming our friends across the road to Tannadice (although there won't be many of them there). Hopefully we see a similar result to the other two derbies and a commanding performance to boot. The Dees have found a wee bit of form so must have a bit of optimism so it should be another good game between the teams.

I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Mon the Terrors