Motherwell 0
Dundee 2
League (Premier League)

Match Report

Welcome to all that is the Scottish Premier League, Mr Bonetti!

After his first 90 minutes, the Dens player-manager experienced the full gamut of football emotions as his "United Nations" XI. turned in a five-star display.

Sadly for Ivano, he watched most of the second half from the Fir Park stand after being booked twice either side of half-time.

By that stage, 10-man Dundee were heading for their first win under their new management and although perhaps temporarily, the top of the League.

The scoreline did little to emphasise the ease with which Bonetti's Boys collected their first three points.

The large Dundee following travelled west in expectation of a new dawn and left jubilant and optimistic of what this season might hold.

In the early minutes, Bonetti led by example, slipping past the home defence with ease a feat repeated by his team-mates throughout the match.

With only eight minutes played, Fabian Caballero set up fellow-Argentine Juan Sara, whose shot spun out to Patrizio Billio. The Italian drilled a 15-yard strike past a helpless Andy Goram to make it 1-0.

It got worse for 'Well when Kevin Twaddle was stretchered off after a clash with Marco di Marchi, another Italian who shone throughout.

The Dark Blues showed little sympathy for the home side.

Caballero set off on a fantastic run, dragging the ball into the six-yard box, only to watch his angled shot beat Goram, but rebound off the post.

The first half onslaught on Goram's woodwork continued and Sara rattled the post when an open goal beckoned. His embarrassment was saved by the assistant referee's flag indicating he was offside.

Minutes later, Caballero, the game's outstanding player, set up Artero, who rattled the same post with Goram rooted. In between times, a rather inept Motherwell raise the spirits of the home fans.

Fittingly, it was defender Stevie McMillan who came close to equalising with a header back across goal which rebounded from the post, and a sizzling left-foot drive which Robert Douglas somehow palmed over the top.

Otherwise, it was all Dundee, and the only black spot was Bonetti's two yellow cards which left thebDens men down to 10 for most of the second period.

A lot of excitement also left with the Italian's departure, but Dundee always looked the more likely side to score. And, when it came, it was a wonderful effort from "Harry" Artero, who took his time before ramming the ball in off the post to round off a great afternoon and an impressive start by Dundee.

Man of the Match - FABIAN CABALLERO.

Match report written by The Sunday Post