Luke Graham: Excellent team performance overall from Dundee as they reacted superbly from their defeat to Dundee United. And 20-year-old Graham was strong and solid throughout.
Lyall Cameron: Dundee were superb in the first half. Cameron was always probing and prompting, full of energy and brimming with invention. Took his goal well.
Dundee fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's victory over St Johnstone.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Jimmy: What a performance, well done guys. Let's carry that forward and take some points from the next couple of games.
Ronnie: Great to see forwards get in on the goals and Simon Murray on a decent run. The league is so tight, lots of teams winning one week, losing the next and mid-table is hard to predict so it's vital that Dundee pick up points especially with players missing. If we can sort injuries and add one or two signings then play-off chat should hopefully be dismissed and our top six focus back.
Rod: Good victory but we have a tough run of fixtures now. Still would like a clean sheet or two in upcoming games. Hopefully we get some support for the defence in the transfer window. Beating Dundee United in the Scottish Cup would be sweet.
Mark: I was quick to criticize Tony Docherty after midweek, so credit where credit's due. A good way to bounce back but a clean sheet would have been better against an awful St Johnstone.
Gary: A great example of how frustrating it is to be a Dee. Didn't take the chances created in the derby and poor managerial indecision cost us the game. On Sunday it was much better, scored when they created chances and defensive changes made in the second half helped to secure those much needed points.
David: Fantastic result with a squad that possesses the depth of a puddle. Yes, it's three points against rock bottom of the league, however it's the biggest three points of the season, it keeps us afloat heading into a difficult January.
Sportscene analysis: 'Instinctive Murray key to Dundee's great start in Perth'
The Sportscene team analyse Dundee's opening goal in their 3-1 win at St Johnstone.
Available to UK users only
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park
Image source, SNSSeb Palmer-Houlden (far right) starred in Dundee's scintillating first-half show against St Johnstone
From "heartbreak" to the stuff of dreams, it's been a rollercoaster start to the year for Dundee and Seb Palmer-Houlden.
The forward bundled in the Dark Blues' second after 10 minutes in their 3-1 win over St Johnstone on Sunday and he is "happy to get that monkey off the back".
Palmer-Houlden was at the heart of the devastating first-half show from Tony Docherty's side as they left Saints in a spin inside 23 minutes.
The positive performance in Perth came after the "heartbreaking" derby defeat to Dundee United and proved once more Dundee's brilliant bounce-back-ability.
"It was heartbreaking for us," the 21-year-old told BBC Scotland. "I thought we were better in the midweek, but these things happen.
"And, we came back today, like we have done all season. I think when we have a bad result we bounce back really well as a group."
It was a hungry and sharp group in the opening 45, which allowed Docherty's depleted Dark Blues to sit back and rest up a little after the break knowing the job was done.
"We set off to get after them very early doors and once we went 3-0 up, it was just about nullifying their pressure," Palmer-Houlden added.
"It was just about causing them problems. Across the frontline we're all really mobile and we create chances."
That's something they will need to continue to do if their aim of finishing in the top six again is to be achieved.
And there's an added incentive this season, too.
"We want to be getting top six, that's our biggest goal," the striker said.
"We did it last year and that's our aim again, especially when our neighbours are doing so well, you want to just keep battling away and get as high up the table as possible."
Image source, SNSSimon Murray has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee player.
Murray has scored in his last three games in the Premiership (four goals in total).
Murray scored after just two minutes and three seconds, the fastest goal for Dundee in the Premiership this season.
Adama Sidibeh attempted eight shots in this game, the highest total for a St Johnstone player in the Premiership this season.
Jack Sanders attempted 102 passes in this game, the highest total for a St Johnstone player in the Premiership this season.
Dundee have scored in each of their last three games in the Premiership, scoring six goals in that run.
St Johnstone have attempted 26 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.
St Johnstone have failed to win in their last eight games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 5 August 2023 to 28 October 2023, a run of nine games.
Highlights: St Johnstone 1-3 Dundee
Dundee's stunning opening secures them victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).
Image source, SNSDundee manager Tony Docherty: "I'm full of admiration for my players, that was challenging after [the derby defeat].
"Against the ball you need to be organised against St Johnstone but carry that threat forward. The third goal typified the way I wanted my team to play.
"You saw the speed of our attack, speed of our running... it was just outstanding. It was a real, real good display of professionalism."
Were you at McDiarmid Park or watching elsewhere?
Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.
Image source, SNSLyall Cameron, who scored the third goal, was a constant threat in Dundee's electric first-half display
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park
Image source, SNSTony Docherty had no doubt his side would react to their derby disappointment. He was absolutely right.
In a devastating first half, they were sharper, hungrier and just simply better than St Johnstone.
Every time they nicked the ball or advanced forward, the scent of a goal was strong.
Lyall Cameron and Seb Palmer-Houlden often toyed with the timid home defence, and if there was a little more accuracy, it could have been many more.
In the second half, they completely sat back and protected their well-deserved lead.
For a squad short on bodies, an uneventful second 45 will have suited them nicely.
With Rangers and Celtic to come, these were three vital points for Dundee who remain able to look up, rather than down for now.
Crystal Palace midfielder Jadan Raymond is a target for Dundee and Colchester United in this month's transfer window. (Football Insider), external
Defender Sean Kelly is expected to move abroad after leaving Dundee. (Courier - subscription), external
Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNSMakenzie Kirk could return for St Johnstone against Dundee
St Johnstone will be without midfielder Jason Holt through suspension, but striker Makenzie Kirk hopes to return following a minor niggle.
Barry Douglas, Uche Ikpeazu, Sam McClelland and Cammy MacPherson are set to remain sidelined, while centre-half Kyle Cameron has had his loan deal from Notts County cut short.
Dundee are missing defenders Billy Koumetio, Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee Antonio Portales and Joe Shaughnessy, while midfielder Scott Fraser is also still out.
Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSWeek after week, the burden of pressure seems to be passed from manager to manager in the cut throat Scottish Premiership.
This week, you could have your choice of three, with Aberdeen's form having fallen off a cliff since their opening 13-game winning streak, and 16 unbeaten, under Jimmy Thelin - they are now without a win in nine, losing their past four, as they visit Motherwell.
Fellow newcomer Simo Valakari has watched his St Johnstone side drop to the bottom of the table after seven games of their own without a win.
Meanwhile, Sunday's hosts, Dundee, looked to have turned their corner with last Sunday's 2-1 win away to St Mirren only to be brought back down to earth with their fourth defeat in five outings.
That it came in a home Dundee derby after which United moved up to third place was all the more painful for some of the Dark Blues' support to stomach and manager Tony Docherty has been facing a fair amount of fan flak over his tactics.
From being top-six contenders, Dundee are now five points behind Motherwell, only two above Hearts in the relegation play-off place and a defeat in Perth would leave only four points between themselves and Saints.
The result against hosts who can little afford to allow another potential relegation candidate increase that gap could decide which end of the table Dundee will be battling for the rest of the season.
Image source, SNSBoth sides have scored in each of their last five league meetings between St Johnstone (seven goals) and Dundee (eight). Before this, only one of the two sides' previous seven such clashes had seen both teams find the net.
After their 2-1 win in March 2024, Dundee could earn back-to-back top-flight away victories over St Johnstone for the first time since April 2002 (three in a row).
St Johnstone are without a win in seven league games (D2 L5) since beating Kilmarnock 1-0 in November.
After beating St Mirren 2-1 last month, Dundee could enjoy back-to-back away wins in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since December 2017/January 2018 – one of which was at St. Johnstone (2-0).
Only Hibernian (16) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season than both St Johnstone (15) and Dundee (13).
Image source, SNSClark Robertson made his first appearance since November as Dundee lost the new year derby
Dundee manager Tony Docherty aims to sign defensive reinforcements this month after having to throw players in at the deep end in Thursday's derby defeat.
With Jordan McGhee and Billy Koumetio joining Antonio Portales and long-term absentee Joe Shaughnessy on the sidelines in the festive period, Docherty is short of centre-backs.
Clark Robertson was rushed back from injury to face Dundee United along with Luke Graham, who was recalled from a season-long loan spell at Falkirk, and Ryan Astley in a back three.
Docherty, whose side travel to face St Johnstone on Sunday, said: "Clark Robertson trained for one day, so in normal circumstances he wouldn't have played in that match, but because of the boy he is, and because of the situation we're in, I had to play him.
"I think you may have seen that was a contributing factor in the last goal. He's looking over at the bench and he's struggling at that stage of the game.
"Big Luke, he's 20 years old, he's done fantastically out on loan, but it's that area of the pitch, with experienced defenders, it's cost us this season, absolutely, to have the amount of injuries that we've got.
"When the dust settles, you need to give the players credit, particularly Clark, for coming through that, but certainly we're suffering from the amount of injuries we've picked up, and the position in the team that the injuries fall."
Docherty confirmed Koumetio would be out for a "length" of time following a scan on an ankle injury and added of his missing defenders: "Obviously they're the big players for me, so we'll look at that as a group and see what we can do to try and make things right.
"But it doesn't take away from the fact we should win that game, we should absolutely win that game, and the overriding feeling for myself is one of real frustration and a bit of anger."
We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-1 derby defeat at home to Dundee United.
Here's what some of you said:
Ian: Embarrassing manager comments. Yes, we played well first half but without any cutting edge. Fortuitous penalty and bad luck with the equaliser but never threatened United's goal in the second half. Lack of early enough substitutes, it wasn't working, change it earlier as Jim Goodwin did. Over the 90 minutes we didn't deserve even a draw.
Danny: This was a game we should never have lost. Once again the manager has failed to react to what is happening on the pitch. His lack of game management and poor tactical awareness has cost us.
Mark: Shambles. Two defensive mistakes cost us yet again. Tony Docherty is to blame. Didn't make a sub until the 90th minute.
Dudley: Yet another manager who has out thought/coached Docherty, losing late goals is his speciality. We're obliviously clueless at the back, we're still not learning. Sorry Tony, but you're losing the Dundee support. Your shocking summer transfer window will be our downfall. Still, putting on very late subs and sadly you're taking us down.
Brian: Really should have had the game won in the first half, totally controlled it. Second half we fell away a bit and didn't deserve to lose. Some refereeing advantage decisions went against us when breaking away. Totally disappointed because we put up a good game.
Steven: Tough to take, once again Docherty's decisions probably cost the points. No subs when clearly required, befuddled to say the least.
Image source, SNSSamuel Dalby has scored 10 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other player.
Dundee have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against St Johnstone (3 games without defeat).
Dundee United have won their last 3 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 9 April 2023 to 22 April 2023.
Dundee have lost 13 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only St Johnstone (15) and Hibernian (16) have lost more.
Dundee United have won 11 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.
Dundee United have scored in 17 of their 20 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.
Scottish Premiership top scorer Sam Dalby's dramatic late goal earned Dundee United a derby win at Dens Park and moved Jim Goodwin's promoted side up to third place.
Dundee fans, were you at Dens to see your side's loss, or were you following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts.
George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSOnly Ross County and St Johnstone have conceded more Premiership goals than Dundee, and it was the nature of the concessions against their city rivals that will frustrate Tony Docherty.
His team had chances to win this one, and when Simon Murray sent Jack Walton the wrong way from the penalty spot, they were the side in control.
However, Seb Palmer-Houlden failed to deal with Ross Graham's long throw, and his attempted clearing header turned into an assist for Vicko Sevelj's equaliser.
United's passing and movement was excellent for the winning goal, but from Dundee's perspective, the defending was poor.
There was no discernible defensive structure when the came to Will Ferry, Kevin Holt got in behind all too easily, and goal-scorer Sam Dalby wasn't properly picked up by anyone in dark blue.
St Johnstone are next up for Docherty's side, before back-to-back matches against Rangers and Celtic at Dens.
They need to plugs holes at the back if they are to avoid being dragged into the battle at the bottom.
Image source, SNSDundee manager Tony Docherty: "Frustration and anger. We've found a way to lose that game. We should never lose that game. I thought we were really dominant in the first half against the shape we expected them to play - we were unfortunate to go in at nothing-each.
"We got the penalty and that should be it, that should be enough. We don't manage that properly. From the long throw, we get first contact and then we switch off second phase. That changes the momentum of the game.
"To lose it at the death is really tough, really hard to take. We found a way to lose that game, and that really angers me and frustrates me. The second goal, we need to take responsibility.
"You lose 2-1 because you make mistakes. It's our negligence that allows them to score. That's where the frustration comes. There's naivety there. It has to register that we need to stop giving our opponents chances to get back into games."
Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSWill Lyall Cameron stay at Dens Park beyond summer?
With Luke McCowan having been lost to Celtic in the summer, Lyall Cameron has shouldered much of the responsibility of driving Dundee's midfield - and he continues to impress.
Indeed, although his four league goals are two short of his former team-mate, he has as many assists - also four.
Although injured captain Joe Shaughnessy and fellow key defenders Antonio Portales and Jordan McGhee are also out of contract, you imagine the 22-year-old will be a priority for manager Tony Docherty.
Other contracts expiring: Harry Sharp, goalkeeper; Adam Legzdins, goalkeeper; Sean Kelly, defender (January); Mohammed Sylla, defender; Finlay Robertson, midfielder; Josh Mulligan, midfielder; Charlie Reilly, forward; Scott Fraser, midfielder; Scott Tiffoney, midfielder; Curtis Main, forward.
Read more: Premiership summer free agents facing uncertain January
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSSimon Murray says Dundee "really owe" their fans a long-awaited win over city rivals United in what he calls "one of the best fixtures you can play in".
The second Dundee derby of the season rounds off the first top-flight fixture list of 2025 at Dens Park, with the hosts hunting victory over their near neighbours for the first time in over seven years.
Having nudged his goal tally into double figures for the season with a brace at St Mirren last time out, Murray is keen to maximise momentum in the meeting he looks forward to above all others.
"It's massive," he said. "We really owe the home support a result and there's no one better to do it against than United so I'm looking forward to it. As a Dundee player and Dundee lad, it's one of the best fixtures you can play in.
"It'll be a great occasion but we've just got to treat it like any other Premiership game, do our normal routine and just look forward to the match."
Dundee's recent record in the fixture isn't good, having failed to win any of the seven encounters since a 2-1 victory in August 2017.
Currently eighth, if the Dee are to emulate last season's top-six finish, they can't afford to let the five-point gap to Motherwell in sixth grow much wider. The fact they are nine points adrift of United in fourth may concentrate minds yet further.
"I think we need to bring that consistency; as a club to look to go into the top six but as a team, we need to get more consistent performances and really build on that going forward to really put ourselves in a good position," Murray added.
