Dundee Utd 3-1 Motherwell: McNamara hails two-goal Telfer

Manager Jackie McNamara praised two-goal Charlie Telfer as Dundee United beat Motherwell 3-1 at Tannadice.

The teenager fired the hosts ahead from 22 yards on the hour and grabbed the final goal of the day with a composed finish late on.

"Charlie has settled in really well and looks like an experienced player, even though he's still only young," said McNamara.

"He took his two goals really well and his overall creative play was very impressive.

"His passing and intelligence on the ball was there for all to see. He is getting better game by game."

United remain fourth in the Premiership but are now three points behind second-place Aberdeen, who they meet in the League Cup semi-finals next weekend.

"It was a hard fought win and it's a great three points for us," added McNamara.

"Motherwell were probably the better team in the first 15 minutes but after that I thought we came into it more and created enough chances to be deserved winners."

Jaroslaw Fojut's header made it 2-0 to United before a volley from Simon Ramsden gave the visitors brief hope of a comeback.

It was a fifth consecutive defeat for the Steelmen, who remain two points above St Mirren in the play-off position.

Motherwell were convinced they had scored a first-half goal

Manager Ian Baraclough thought the visitors had been denied a clear first-half penalty, saying Stephen Pearson had been "taken out at the knees".

There was also a moment of controversy a minute before the interval, with Motherwell thinking they had scored.

Pearson's cross was aimed for John Sutton but Sean Dillon intercepted, only for his clearance to hit off Sutton. Callum Morris ran back to clear with referee Craig Thomson indicating the ball had crossed the line, only for the assistant referee to declare that it had not.

"I've spoken to the referee, and the linesman gave a decision," Baraclough explained

"Apparently he shouted 'play on' and the referee thought he shouted 'goal'. It's easy to mix those two words up, isn't it?

"It's one of those things. I've seen it back. His standing foot is on the line and the foot that he's cleared it with is behind the standing foot.

"Make your own assumption. But I don't know because, with the position I was in and with the position of the camera, you can't tell fully."

McNamara was much more confident in his assessment of the situation saying: "It clearly wasn't over."