Dundee United began the New Year in style with only their second win in 11 matches to ease their relegation fears.

And victory was all the sweeter as it came at the home of their arch rivals Dundee.

Goals from Billy Dodds and Stevie Thompson inside the first 16 minutes put United in the driving seat.

But Dundee, newly promoted from the First Division, rallied and Shaun McSkimming pulled a goal back after 28 minutes.

Brian Irvine smacked a header against the bar on the hour only for United to grab a third against the run of play 10 minutes later.

Kjell Olofsson, the game's outstanding player, extended their lead to give United renewed heart when the second half of the Premier League season resumes on January 30.

Dundee, however, could be set for a quick return to the First Division if they don't sort out their home form.

This was their third straight defeat at Dens Park and the second in the space of six days.

United manager Paul Sturrock recalled keeper Sieb Dijkstra for the first time in eight games with Alan Combe dropping out.

The visitors made a bright start and Jason de Vos saw a header from a Joe Miller corner finish on the roof of the net.

But the goal wasn't long in coming with Olofsson releasing Dodds in the 10th minute and the Scotland striker's finish was clinical.

The home fans were rocked and Dundee suffered another blow in the 16th minute when a shot from Thompson took a deflection off Irvine and wrong-footed keeper Douglas for the second goal.

But Dundee stormed back and James Grady sent a header narrowly wide of the post and Barry Smith was also narrowly off target.

They eventually pulled a goal back when Grady and Eddie Annand linked up.

Dijkstra beat away Annand's shot, only for McSkimming to follow up and score.

United were then forced on the back foot with Dijkstra tipping away a dangerous cross from Jim McInally.

But United continued to look dangerous on the break.

Craig Easton dragged a shot wide and then Douglas spilled a free-kick from Oloffson only for the ball to be hacked away.

Irvine should have equalised for Dundee in the 52nd minute when McSkimming played the ball into his path.

He spooned the ball over the top as Douglas raced out of his goal.

Irvine watched in disbelief on the hour as his header rattled the bar after McInally had delivered a free-kick from the right.

However, Olofsson had the last word with 20 minutes to go with a wonderful shot into the corner after a cross from Bernard Pascual had only been half cleared.

Teams:

Dundee: Douglas, Smith, Adamczuk, Irvine, Raeside (Coyne 83), Annand, Grady, McInally (Rae 76), Sharp (Falconer 72), McSkimming, Tweed.

Subs Not Used: Robertson, Langfield.

Booked: Adamczuk, Irvine, Tweed.

Goals: McSkimming 28.

Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Malpas, Olofsson, Easton, Dodds, Miller (Mathie 89), Duffy, Thompson (Skoldmark 68), De Vos, Mols, Pascual.

Subs Not Used: Dolan, Gray, Gallacher.

Booked: De Vos.

Goals: Dodds 10, Thompson 16, Olofsson 70.

Att: 11,751

Ref: S Dougal (Glasgow).