Match ends, Dundee United 1, Partick Thistle 0.
Dundee UtdDundee United1Partick ThistlePartick Thistle0
Nadir Ciftci's late spot kick ensured Dundee United picked up all three points against Partick Thistle.
The Turkish forward converted coolly after he was brought down by Danny Seaborne, who was red-carded for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
Christie Elliot went closest for Thistle with a long-range effort that rattled the bar.
The win leaves Jackie McNamara's Tangerines just a point adrift of league-leaders Hamilton.
United, however, were far from at their free-flowing best.
Thistle threatened first after eight minutes with a Kris Doolan curler that keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak tipped round a post, but the hosts replied immediately through a Ciftci shot which Scott Fox saved easily.
Elliott forced a low save from Cierzniak, then Ciftci hit the side netting after latching on to Gary Mackay-Steven's pass.
Stuart Armstrong embarked on a run and fired wide as the home side tried to assert themselves, before Partick keeper Fox raced from his line to deny the onrushing Mackay-Steven.
And the Jags number one was called into action again just before the break to deny Ciftci with a great stop after the Turk was played in by Armstrong.
Cierzniak was busy in the opening period of the second half to keep out Doolan and Steven Lawless, and Ciftci again tested Fox with a shot on the turn.
Thistle were looking sharp in the opening stages of the second period and Stephen O'Donnell drilled a shot across goal that drifted narrowly wide.
Elliott then hit the bar with a wicked shot from the left as Thistle pushed for the opening goal.
United, however, grabbed the winner with seven minutes left after Seaborne tripped Ciftci in the box and the striker got up to bury the spot-kick.
It was a sickening blow for the visitors who will feel they deserved to take something from the game.
Line-ups
Dundee Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Cierzniak
- 12WatsonBooked at 76mins
- 5Fojut
- 14Morris
- 2Dillon
- 6PatonSubstituted forDowat 64'minutes
- 8RankinBooked at 90mins
- 17ErskineSubstituted forConnollyat 80'minutes
- 10ArmstrongSubstituted forSpittalat 69'minutes
- 11Mackay-Steven
- 7Ciftci
Substitutes
- 3Townsend
- 18Dow
- 21Telfer
- 22Connolly
- 23Smith
- 24Spittal
- 26Szromnik
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Fox
- 2O'Donnell
- 3SeaborneBooked at 83mins
- 6Balatoni
- 16McMillanBooked at 28minsSubstituted forCarrollat 80'minutes
- 8BanniganBooked at 86mins
- 18OsmanBooked at 70mins
- 7Craigen
- 11LawlessSubstituted forMcDaidat 88'minutes
- 14Elliott
- 9DoolanSubstituted forStevensonat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Stevenson
- 12Gallacher
- 13Frans
- 17Carroll
- 19Eccleston
- 23Wilson
- 28McDaid
- Referee:
- Steven McLean
- Attendance:
- 6,756
Match Stats
Home TeamDundee UtdAway TeamPartick Thistle
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dundee United 1, Partick Thistle 0.
Post update
Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Declan McDaid.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Blair Spittal (Dundee United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Christie Elliott (Partick Thistle).
Booking
John Rankin (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by John Rankin (Dundee United).
Post update
James Craigen (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Craigen (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Partick Thistle. Declan McDaid replaces Steven Lawless.
Post update
Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom left corner.
Booking
Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle).
Goal!
Goal! Dundee United 1, Partick Thistle 0. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
Post update
Penalty Dundee United. Nadir Ciftci draws a foul in the penalty area.
Dismissal
Danny Seaborne (Partick Thistle) is shown the red card for a bad foul.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Danny Seaborne (Partick Thistle) after a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Foul by Keith Watson (Dundee United).
