Dundee and Motherwell shared the points on a rainy afternoon in the ‘City of Discovery’, with goals from Tawanda Maswanhise and Luke Graham either side of half time ensuring a share of the spoils for both sides in a 1-1 draw at Dens’ Park.
The result means that Dundee have drawn three and lost two in the league so far under new head coach Steven Pressley, whilst Motherwell remain undefeated after drawing all of their Premiership fixtures so far.
It was a very principled performance from the Steelmen in the first half, playing a fast tempo style of play that has become synonymous with new gaffer Jens Berthel Askou, patiently playing out from the back and when an opening presented itself, they attacked with speed and exploited the gaps.
As for Dundee, they probably soaked in more pressure than they would have liked to in the first period, opting to play a more direct style, with long balls unsuccessfully going over the top to frustrated lone striker Simon Murray.
Ultimately, this played into the hands of Motherwell, who dominated the first half and looked to be the only side trying to score, yet regretfully they found themselves only ahead by one. Winger Tawanda Maswanhise collected the ball from a narrow position halfway inside the Dundee half, and drove to the right to get a shot on his favoured right foot, firing it passed Jon McCracken in the Dark Blues net, putting the visitors a goal to the good with just over half an hour played. The Zimbabwean’s tally now stands at 7 in all competitions.
Motherwell continued with their constant threatening on the break, with Dundee outnumbered numerous times and seemingly spared by Calum Scott’s halftime whistle which killed the backlog of momentum generated by the ‘Well. The home fans made their feelings known to Pressley and his side as boos rang around Dens’ as the players headed up the tunnel.
Whatever Steven Pressley said at halftime, it certainly done wonders for the hosts. Cameron Congreve, who had just come on at the break, drove down the right hand side and crossed the ball in for centre back Luke Graham to produce a powerful header beyond Calum Ward and level the scoring, not even two minutes after the restart.
And they were so nearly ahead come the 50th minute. A looping ball was played into the Motherwell area, met by a diving Simon Murray, but only went as far as the side netting, with many in Dundee’s main stand believing the captain had scored.
An even bigger chance for Murray went begging just five minutes later. Congreve was denied a second assist after he put the ball on a plate for his captain who was just 10 yards from goal, but he dragged his effort wide of the post as his hunt for his first goal of the league season goes on after 15 last campaign.
Motherwell showed signs of their first half performance again in the closing half hour, with their biggest chance coming 13 minutes from time. Goalscorer Maswanhise could have made it a double when he was played in, but his first time effort was beaten away by McCracken.
Dundee would be reduced to ten men just five minutes from time. Loanee Yan Dhanda, who signed for the season from Hearts, was given his marching orders following a high challenge on Motherwell’s Lukas Fadinger.
The visitors from North Lanarkshire face a double header against Aberdeen next, travelling to Pittodrie in the cup before hosting them the week after in the league, As for Steven Pressley’s men, they will be in league action next weekend looking to pick up some points against Livingston at home.
DUNDEE: McCracken 7 , C. Robertson 5, Astley 6, Wright 5, F. Robertson 6 (Jones 1), Murray 4 (Samuels 1), Yogane 6 (Hay 3), Westley 4 (Congreve 7), Dhanda 3, Graham 6, Hamilton 5
MOTHERWELL: Ward 5, Gordon 5, Stamatelopoulos 5 (Osong 4), Fadinger 6, Maswanhise 8, Watt 6, Koutroumbis 5 (O’Donnell 4), Longelo 6, Welsh 6 (Balmer 5), Charles-Cook 5 (Just 4), Said 6(Priestman 3)
