Sam Dalby nods inSNS
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Michael Wimmer's reign as Motherwell manager began with a defeat as Dundee United went "back to basics" to secure a first win in four Scottish Premiership games.

United's form had been pretty poor of late, but they got back on track thanks to division's top scorer Dalby converting a first-half header for his 13th of the season.

"Really important for us to get back to winning ways," manager Jim Goodwin said. "We were on a difficult run, albeit played some difficult teams within that.

"It was about getting back to basics, keeping clean sheets, defending well, and I always feel we'll get good chances.

"With a guy like Sam Dalby given service, nine times out of 10 he'll put the ball in the back of the net."

There was little quality in the first-half and Motherwell only came close when Tawanda Maswanhise fizzed inches wide from 30 yards.

The Zimbabwean international also had a curled effort well saved in the second half, while Dalby was denied a second by a sprawling Ellery Balcombe.

United bounce back to dig out victory

Although plenty had talked about United's poor form - including manager Jim Goodwin - some context was needed.

Six losses in their last seven doesn't sound great, but two of those games were against Celtic and one was against Rangers. Another was a cup Dundee derby.

They didn't look like a team down in the dumps, immediately taking the game to Motherwell, and it was their strong start that ended up winning the game.

Any ball sent into the box at a decent height was bound to be attacked by Dalby, and the striker's header was a classic target man's goal.

They had chances to make it two, but couldn't find a way to truly kill the game off, with Luca Stephenson particularly guilty with his second-half miss.

However, they dealt with everything that Motherwell threw at them - if not by the three-man defence, then by Jack Walton in goal.

It's perhaps no surprise that only the Old Firm have kept more clean sheets than them this season.

Size of job on Wimmer's hands laid bare

United did not have to be on their best to see off this Motherwell side desperately lacking in resolve or confidence.

Wimmer spoke this week on "intensity, energy and passion" but in the opening stages, none were apparent. These were players trying to impress a new manager - not that you could immediately tell.

The second-half was a mild improvement, but they're still lacking someone to show the clinical edge at the top of the pitch.

This is now their joint longest losing streak since 2015, and they're sliding worringly down the table.

Wimmer needs to arrest this run of form, or else they will find themselves left behind the top-six chasing pack.

What they said

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I couldn't be any more pleased but we know we could have played better.

"We were very good in the first half and well worthy of the lead. The second half was a little scrappy and Motherwell put us under pressure going into the last 10 minutes."

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "We are a little bit disappointed because in the second-half, we perhaps deserved a point.

"The first half, there were too many thoughts in the minds of the players. We were a little too slow. But it's normal, we worked for three days with a new formation.

"We can work with the second half, it was really good. It was aggressive, we had opportunities and played forward. That's what we want to see."

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