Dundee United 0 - 1 Everton: Late Barkley goal gives Everton the honours as United prepare for Europe

Published on 20/07/2012 00:04

DUNDEE United geared up for their much-anticipated Europa League bid by holding their own against accomplished English Premier League cracks Everton at Tannadice last night.

With the third qualifying round draw set to take place in Switzerland today, the Tangerines faced Davie Moyes’ men in a re-arranged pre-season friendly after the torrential Tayside downpour forced it to be postponed 24 hours earlier.

It seemed certain to end in a goal-drought until second-half substitute Ross Barkley stooped to head home an 87th minute winner from Seamus Coleman’s cross to chalk up a hard-fought victory.

Peter Houston’s side have less than two weeks to get ready before they attempt to reach the money-spinning group stages of the Europa League and they can take a lot of heart from the way they performed against the 
Toffees.

United made three changes from the side which dumped city derby rivals Dundee 3-0 
in last weekend’s Dens Park 
encounter.

The Tangerines rested hat-trick hero Jon Daly, Willo Flood and Brian McLean so in came Barry Douglas, Stuart Armstrong and Michael Gardyne to stake their respective claims for a 
regular starting slot.

There was no Nikica Jelavic up front for the visitors after his exertions for Croatia at Euro 2012.

The former Rangers striker has been a revelation since moving south back in January with a flood of goals to his credit, but he has been granted some extra respite ahead of the new 
Premier League campaign.

Neither was there any sign of a comeback for fit-again striker Steven Naismith who was back on Scottish soil following his summer switch from newco Rangers.

Everton, urged on by their small band of travelling fans, began brightly with Victor Anichebe crossing for Seamus Coleman, who was about to pull the trigger only for United full-back Keith Watson to come across and clear the danger.

Then, in 15 minutes, youngster Jack Rodwell tried his luck from 25-yards to force a fine diving save from United’s new Polish goalkeeper, Rado Cierzniak, who looked well-equipped between the sticks.

At the other end, United broke swiftly down the right with striker Johnny Russell finding some space. His low cross was met by Gardyne and he turned quickly before unleashing a left-foot shot which 
visiting keeper Tim Howard did well to hold.

Ten minutes before half-time, Howard misjudged Gary Mackay-Steven’s inswinging corner but, luckily for the Toffees ’keeper, Sean Dillon couldn’t make contact at the far post. Sisco then became the first player to be booked in 54 minutes for scything down United’s Gardyne.

Minutes later, Russell used his pace to surge clear of the Everton defence but his shot was saved comfortably by Howard.

Both sides put in plenty of effort in search of a winner right up until the dying minutes, but it was the visitors who struck with three minutes left until the final whistle and now continue their pre-season tour of Scotland when they face Motherwell on Saturday.

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon (McLean 73) Douglas, Gunning, Russell, Ryan (Millar 67) Mackay-Steven (Dow 46) Watson, Gardyne (Daly 58) Armstrong (Flood 67) Rankin.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Distin, Duffy, Rodwell (Marouane 46) Sisco (Barkley 55) Osman, Coleman, Anichebe (Garbutt 70) McAleny (Vellios 63).