Dundee United 0-3 Kilmarnock: Three things we learned
Kilmarnock picked up their second Premiership away win of the season as they defeated fellow relegation rivals Dundee United in the penultimate match of the season. Let’s look at what it means for both teams:
Dundee United are hoping for a final day miracle
Thanks to this result and Ross County picking up a point against St Johnstone, the Tangerines are all but relegated. United couldn’t really get going and that is due to some excellent play from Kilmarnock. Jim Goodwin’s side are now three points adrift of Ross County in 11th and are eight goals worse off in terms of goal difference. Therefore, it is most likely that Dundee United will be a Championship club next season.
Killie have taken a massive step towards survival
Kilmarnock could not have wished for the game to go any better. In his pre-match press conference, manager Derek McInnes suggested that four points (a win and a draw) would be enough to beat the dreaded drop and the Ayrshire side have taken a big step towards reaching that target with three points at Tannadice.
The visitors got off to a flying start with Kyle Vassell putting the Ayrshire side in front after 14 minutes after a lapse in concentration from Loick Ayina, who he tried to play out from the back. Ultimately, he smashed into Killie’s Brad Lyons, who was helped out by Rory McKenzie, who took the initial shot, only for it to be blocked.
However, the ball kindly fell to Vassell who struck it sweetly into the bottom corner. It was clear that Vassell’s confidence was high as he attempted a 40-yard strike, which had United ‘keeper Jack Newman scrambling.
Vassell would bag his brace after 44 minutes thanks to more slack play from United. Ilmari Niskanen passed it back towards Ayina, but Christian Doidge nipped in front of him and squared it to his strike partner who tapped it into an empty net.
At half-time, Dundee United made a couple of substitutions, bringing on Glenn Middleton and Dylan Levitt for Niskanen and Ian Harkes. However, these changes made very little impact, much to the disappointment of Jim Goodwin and the United faithful. The Killie defence remained comfortable all evening, which is not something that could be said about them this season.
The Ayrshire side made it 3-0 after 93 minutes with Innes Cameron getting on the scoresheet after McKenzie squares the ball across to his fellow academy graduate. Cameron will no doubt be delighted to be on the goal trail again having returned from a hamstring injury sustained just after the World Cup break.
All eyes are on Rugby Park on the final day
Going into the final round of fixtures on Sunday (May 28), Kilmarnock, Ross County and Dundee United could all still face the drop. Killie, who look to be in the driving seat in 10th place, host Ross County (who are 11th) and only need a point to stay up.
Dundee United will be hoping for what appears to be a miracle on the final day. They are three points adrift at the bottom, so the best they can realistically hope for is finishing in the relegation playoff spot by beating Motherwell. However, their goal difference is eight worse than Ross County, so this looks unlikely.