Kilmarnock 0 Dundee United 4

Kilmarnock suffered a heavy defeat on home soil at the hands of rampant Dundee United on Saturday, August 29.

There were debuts for Cathal McCarthy and Joni Meier, as Neil McCann made four changes to his starting XI from the victory over Ayr United.

Killie fashioned the first opportunity of the game after Tom Lowery pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the park. He got it wide to Nicky Cleșcenco whose early cross was met by Tyreece John-Jules, but the striker couldn’t keep his header down.

Up the other end, Forbes ought to have done better with a header at close range, meanwhile McCarthy had to be alert to Bennie in space who tried his luck from distance. The resultant corner from the blocked shot was headed in by Agyei to give the visitors an early advantage.

Cleșcenco and Kiltie swapped sides, and the former’s delivery from the right almost saw level the score on the half-hour mark. Mark O’Hara did well to meet the ball with his head in the box, but Walton produced a fine save.

However, on 35 minutes United were awarded a penalty, with McCarthy penalised for a foul inside the area from a corner. Sapsford stepped up from the spot to dispatch beyond Max Stryjek.

It was 3-0 a matter of five minutes later when Ferry had the time and space to unleash a wonder strike into the far top corner.

After the break, with Djenairo Daniels back on the field for the first time since his ACL injury, Killie looked to pull one back. They came close on 48 minutes as Michael Schjønning-Larsen’s cutback was met by Hugill, but his shot had too much power on it as the ball sailed over the crossbar. Schjønning-Larsen was next to try his luck around 10 minutes later, with Walton parrying the shot for a corner.

Stryjek had to pull off two top saves to deny United further goals in the second-half, twice denying them from close range.

They would get a fourth on 77 minutes after a lovely passing move and terrific floated ball to the back post, with a brilliant finish to match.

Starting XI: Stryjek, McCarthy, O’Hara (Rice, 62’), Deas (Stanger, 18’), Hugill, John-Jules (Burke, 62’), Kiltie, Lowery, Meier (Brandon, 45’), Cleșcenco (Daniels, 45’), Schjønning-Larsen.

Unused subs: Ferrie, McKenzie, Yfeko, Bowie.

Attendance: 5,389.

Booked: McCarthy, Hugill, Rice.