Dundee Utd 0-2 Kilmarnock

Aug 31 2008 Mark Guidi at Tannadice

JIM JEFFERIES warned his players they'd have to produce their best performance of the season to win this game and go top of the SPL.

And Kilmarnock responded in style as goals from Gavin Skelton and Danny Invincibile sealed their first win at Tannadice for six years.

It was an impressive display from the Rugby Park side who have yet to concede a goal in the SPL this season.

And Jefferies is proud of the way his troops have started the new campaign.

He smiled: "I said to the players we'd had a good start but couldmake it a great one by beating United.

"I knew a win would not be easy and it would have to be our best display so far. The players gave it their all and we won comfortably.

"We defended superbly and David Fernandez and Mehdi Taouil were good up front, taking the ball to feet."

The game got off to an exciting start and Craig Levein's men almost grabbed a spectacular opener.

Defender Garry Kenneth let rip from 30 yards and his effort looked to be sailing into the top corner before it crashed off the bar.

However, there was little quality team play for long spells after that.

Individually, United midfielder Danny Swanson provided some entertainment.

He was comfortable running at the opposition and his quick feet and skill often bemused Killie.

Swanson's final ball doesn't quite live up to the rest of his play but he could have been helped by better movement from his team-mates at times.

Taouil provided something similar for Killie and the Moroccan also helped liven up a dull first half.

Chances were thin on the ground but United's Warren Feeney wriggled past a couple of defenders to get a sight of goal in 31 minutes.

The Northern Ireland striker was just 10 yards out but screwed his shot wide from a tight angle when he should have tested Alan Combe.

Killie then grabbed the opener against the run of play five minutes before the break.

A short corner was taken and the ball found its way to Fernandez.

The Spaniard whipped it into the box and Skelton was there to head home from eight yards.

United were stunned but responded immediately when Francisco Sandaza was presented with a chance.

He cut inside on to his right foot to leave himself a clear shot at Combe from 12 yards.

But the Spanish striker showed no composure and rattled his shot well wide.

Levein made his way down from the stand to watch the second half from United's technical area.

And he made a change in 53 minutes by bringing on Craig Conway for Willo Flood.

There was more of an edge to proceedings as the tempo increased after the break.

The passing was crisper, a couple of tackles flew in and ref Mike Tumilty had to keep a close eye on things. But Killie killed the match off as a contest by claiming the second after 59 minutes.

Craig Bryson and Taouil worked well together and the Moroccan slipped a lovely pass to Invincibile.

Lukasz Zaluska came out to narrow the angle but was helpless as Invincibile coolly stroked it home from 12 yards.

United brought on Jon Daly and David Goodwillie in a bid to pull a goal back. They pumped in high balls but had little joy thanks to Frazer Wright and Manuel Pascali's solid defending plus Combe's willingness to come off his line.

Killie were happy to hit on the break and kept the ball well with lovely one-touch stuff.

To win by this margin at Tannadice you need the bulk of your players on top form.

And Taouil, Wright, Combe, Fernandez and Pasacli all hit the heights in different ways for Jefferies' side.

REF WATCH

MIKE TUMILTY had a fairly straightforward 90 minutes but made some poor decisions. The bookings Killie stars James Fowler and Manuel Pascali picked up were both totally undeserved. Not an impressive performance from the whistler who has had much better games. Rating: 4/10.

Shots on 1

Shots off 4

Fouls 0

Offside 13

Corners 13

Bookings 1

Shots on 3

Shots off 0

Fouls 2

Offside 12

Corners 2

Bookings 3