The honours were even at Tannadice this afternoon as a Mikkelsen equaliser against Inverness earns United a point.
By Ian Isbister
Boss Csaba Lazlo showed faith in the same starting eleven that beat Queen of the South 3-1 on Tuesday night. New boy Anthony Ralston, signed from Celtic using the emergency on-loan system yesterday, started on the bench for United along with Scott Fraser looking to make his long awaited return from injury whilst Chalmers and Gillespie made way.
John Robertson rang the changes for Inverness from the side that was beaten 1-0 at Dunfermline in midweek with Bell, McKay and Trafford promoted to the starting eleven.
Both sides look rusty in the opening exchanges and like two boxers measuring each other up, neither appeared to look to take control. The first chance of the game fell to the Highlanders in seven minutes when Polworth’s defence splitting pass found Oakley through on goal. To United’s relief his shot was straight at Lewis when it looked easier to have scored. Inverness continued to have the greater of the possession and they made it count in the 30th minute. A corner in from the right by Polworth was met by Vigurs who headed home from the six-yard line. United struggled to get back into the game and, despite attempts by Robson and King to link up down the left wing, found chances few and far between. United could have fallen further behind in the 40th minute when a last gasp tackle by Durnan on Bell in front of an empty net saved United’s blushes. The half finished with Inverness having had 63% possession and worthy of their one goal advantage.
United made a half-time substitution when Scott McDonald replaced Paul Quinn, the Aussie taking his familiar position alongside Mikkelsen as Smith moved to a more central role. Inverness continued to threaten the United defence as the second half got underway. Neat build up play by Seedorf down the right wing opened up play and his pass found Chalmers in plenty of space. Luckily for United his first time shot was held firmly by Lewis as the oncoming Oakley looked to pounce on any slip ups. In the 59th minute United’s first chance of the second half saw Mikkelsen in space and his driving run opened up the backtracking Inverness defence. From 20 yards his shot flew past the right hand post as goalkeeper Ridgers could only watch and hope. This was merely the prelude for what was to come. In the 64th minute Mikkelsen latched onto King’s speculative cross. As Ridgers came out of the Inverness goal, the great Dane was quicker off the mark and his effort bounced into the air before coming to rest in the Inverness goal. The equaliser levelled not only the score but also saw United begin to challenge more in the game. United showed a much more attacking intent compared to the first half but were still struggling to make serious inroads into the Inverness defence. First a McDonald header was easily held by Ridgers, and then a King cross was aimed at Mikkelsen but even the tall Dane couldn't stretch to knock the ball home. Scott Fraser made his long awaited return to the first team and his introduction to the game was almost rewarded instantly when his trickery around the box eventually led to a rasping shot from Murdoch flying past the right hand post. United continued to attack in numbers but found themselves up against an Inverness defence now happy to take a point back to the Highlands.
As referee Steve Kirkland blew the full time whistle at 1-1, it’s fair to say the cliché of a game of two halves was made for games like these. Inverness were by far the stronger in the first half, but United grew in confidence in the second and deserved to come away with at least a point.
Dundee United: Lewis, Murdoch, Scobbie, Durnan, Quinn, (McDonald 45), Mikkelsen, (Fraser 85), King, Stanton, Flood ©, Robson, Smith,
Subs not used: Deniz, Edjenguele, Slater, Ralston,
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Ridgers, Tremarco, Chalmers, Warren ©, Polworth, Vigurs, Oakley (Austin 86), Seedorf, Bell (Doran 77). McKay, Trafford (Mulraney 71)
Subs not used: Esson, Calder, Donaldson, Mackay,
Referee: Steve Kirkland,
Assistant Referees: Stuart Stevenson, Liam Butler.
Bookings - United - Smith (71),
Inverness - Vigurs (57), Oakley (66)
