Dundee United 2 - 1 Everton

Half-time: 0 - 1

This match was predictably overshadowed by the media circus keen to report on the slightest skirmish involving Paul Gascoigne, who played for the first half.  Thomas Gravesen wasn't afraid to throw his weight about either!

Richard Gough missed out on a return to his former club. Gough is suffering from a slight back strain and wasn't risked, nor was Richard Dunne, who also picked up a knock during last week's training camp in Italy. 

That trip was cut short to allow Walter Smith to take his players home and up to Tannadice for this testimonial game for one of the game's most loyal servants.  Malpas joined Dundee United back in 1979 as a 16-year-old when Smith was player-coach at the club, and has spent the last 21 years at Tannadice. 

Smith said: "Maurice is the only player I would do this for.  It's not ideal but I had no hesitation in changing arrangements.  When I told my chairman it was for a player who had been 21 years with one club, he virtually ordered me to get the team to Tannadice.  He couldn't believe that in this day and age of Bosman and freedom of contract there is still someone who has played for one club non-stop since 1979."

Defender Alex Cleland received a slight set-back ten minutes from the end when had to be removed from the field after complaining of a hamstring injury.

The match started tentatively. It took quite a while for Everton to get into their stride. Their first real chance came from Gascoigne who was on the ball in midfield, Gamille 12 yds out took on defender and shot into the side netting. 4 mins later, S.Hughes picked up from a bad defensive mistake in the box, but was foiled by Dundees' keeper, Alan Combe.

After 20 mins, Gascoigne felled a player on trial for Dundee, Joaquaim Fernandez from France, off the ball and out of sight of the referee. The trainer was brought on with his magic sponge. After a couple of minutes, Fernandez got up, ran over to the centre circle and squared up to Gascoigne, whereby it was handbags at 10 paces. The referee suggested to the Dundee Manager that Fernandez be replaced.

27 mins and S.Watson crossed the ball, which found M.Hughes, who then headed it wide of the post.

30 mins, Jeffers beat the offside trap and ran into the box with a shot just past the post.

After 31 mins, S. Hughes shot a free kick, which Unsworth from 25 yds out, let fly over the bar.

Jeffers from 2yds out headed the ball over the bar in the 36min.

One minute later, S.Hughes from a corner, up jumped Weir, for a simple header into the back of the net.

Just before half-time on the 43mins, Gravesen hit bar from 25 yds out with a great shot.

Walter Smith made a mass substitution at half time. Off came, Gerard, S Watson, Pembridge, Gascoigne, Weir and M Hughes. this seemed to throw Everton into disarray.

Dundee Utd equalised on 57 mins, with play involving veteran player Dave Watson, and an uncharacteristic back pass that allowed Steve Thompson to nip in. With Simonsen off his line, he slotted the ball into the net.

Within 3 mins, Dundee Utd were 2-up. Alex Mathie from a cross, tapped the ball into the net.

Everton could not really find their first half form. In fact, they only had 1 real chance in the second 45 minutes. This fell to Jamie Milligan, who hit a hard, low shot which rebounded into the 6yd box, to which no Everton player was quick enough to react.

All in all, the first 45 mins were very different to those of the second 45 mins. In saying that, tonight was the first of eight pre-season friendlies and Walter Smith did use most of his squad.

A good blue following of approx 1,200 was amazing – even the players were taken aback at the number of Evertonians at Tannadice on a Tuesday night, especially the new signings....

The 2-1 result was not really important, as it was our first run out of the season, whereas Dundee Utd start the league season at the weekend, and we made six substitutions at half time, so it was a virtual reserve team in the second half.

• Gerrard - Sound display, hopefully carrying on where he left off last season (off at h/t)
• S Watson - A very encouraging debut, making some good runs down the right wing and defending well.  Looks a good signing at £2.5M (off at h/t)
• Pembridge - A rare outing at left back for the crowd favourite! Played ok but again a few passes went astray! (off at h/t).
• Gascoigne - Looked lean and fit, making some good runs through the middle and linking up well with Gravesen in the midfield. Took to the fans straight away and looks destined to be a crowd pleaser (off at h/t)
• Weir - Typically solid display capped by aa great headed goal (off at h/t)
• Unsworth - Still looking bulky, but did not do much wrong, played the full game.
• Gemmill - So so performance, neither here nor there, destined to be a reserve league regular, played the full game.
• Gravesen - Very impressive, and looks a snip at £2.5m, a Joe Parkinson type player, gets stuck in (Smith must have told him to calm down at h/t because he was tame after the break!) and passed the ball well. Looked keen to impress and is destined to be another crowd favourite.
• M Hughes - didn't really see much of the ball (off at h/t).
• Jeffers - Looked lively and should have converted a few chances, looks raring to go once again (off at h/t).
• S Hughes - showed a few good touches but lacked sharpness, will be a key player this season.

Subs (all on at half-time):

• Cadamarteri - Same old story I'm afraid, the headless chicken routine!
• Simonsen - Looked shaky and cannot kick the ball very well, we should keep Myhre as back-up.
• Jevons - Never really got going.
• Degn - Put in some decent crosses, but shouldn't figure too much in the 1st team next year.
• Milligan - Looked keen but nothing seemed to come off for him. Will be a decent squad player next season.
• D Watson - Sloppy for the 1st goal, sad to say his days at the top are finished. Legend, but should stick to coaching these days!

Overall, some encouraging signs, and with Nyarko, Alexandersson, Pistone, Moore etc to come into the equation, things are looking good for the new season.

Chant of the Day:-

'WE ALL AGREE THAT GAZZA IS BETTER THAN BARMBY!'

Gazza loved it and the rest of the players were having a laugh about it, good riddance to the traitor.

The game?  Well crap.  Very.  But the first pre-season friendly and what do you expect?  The shock of seeing a lean and (reasonably) slim Gascoigne took time to recover from but he made a few nice touches whilst he was on.  As for the 'clash' that everyone is talking about, be aware that the Dundee guy was a trialist and was even announced to the crowd as 'Number 4. Trailist'!!!  I got the impression he was going to try and make a name for himself by having a go at Gascoigne.  Anyway...

Couple of chances to score in the first half.  Graveson looked very handy – tough in the tackle and some nice cross field balls to Pembridge who must have the squeakiest voice in the world!  Gemmill looked awful, Jeffers still making those great runs around the box that nobody else in a blue shirt notices.  Both Hughes ineffective.

Half time – everyone off and a few on.  Simonsen in goal – oh dear – very worrying.  The lad seems to have lost all his confidence.  Waggy on to make some classic mistakes.  Cleland defending by binoculars although why he went off the pitch with 15 minutres to go and never came back on was quite strange – meant we played the last 15 with ten men.  Milligan and Jevons didn't do much.  Degn looks plain fat!  Cadamarteri confused the announcer who must have thought he was an Italian international but did nothing as usual...  Dull, dull, dull ....

Final whistle couldn't come too soon really!  Highlights?  Gazza not being a fat git.  Graveson looking quite a handy acquisition.  Watson (jr) looking quite handy at right back and wanting the ball.  Weir commanding as ever.  The PA announcer appearing to be pissed – a message for Ronald McDonald over the tannoy; gullible git!  Going home ...