In front of a passionate 7774 crowd, who have been starved of competitive derby action since 2005, Dundee fought back from Andis Shala’s opening goal with a strike from Pat Clarke.
However, United’s superior strength in depth showed after half-time, with the usual flurry of replacements on both teams, as Danny Cadamarteri and then Daly found the net.
United created the first opportunity on seven minutes when Cadamarteri broke through on goal following a mistake by Eddie Malone.
The Englishman looked certain to score but was thwarted by a fine save by Derek Soutar.
Dundee, who considerably outspent their city rivals over the summer, came close to scoring on 12 minutes when Colin McMenamin snapped a shot from 18 yards, but the ball skidded up off the greasy surface and went inches wide.
Shala sent a header narrowly wide as United stepped up the pressure, and the young German was not to be denied, as he opened the scoring only two minutes later.
Soutar, nearing the end of his short-term deal, was outmuscled by Garry Kenneth and with the ball dropping in the penalty area, Darren Dods squared for Shala to poke home from three yards.
However, 10 minutes before half-time, a mistake by Mihael Kovacevic, who replaced the injured Kenneth, allowed Clarke to zone in on goal and he lashed an unstoppable shot beyond Steve Banks.
Sean Dillon blocked a Gary Harkins header before Shala just failed to complete a flowing move at the other end.
United went ahead again on 66 minutes with a fine goal by Cadamarteri, who was played in by a brilliant flick from David Robertson and steered the ball in from eight yards.
Daly then capped what was a memorable night for him with a great diving header to meet Dixon’s pinpoint cross.
Dundee United – Banks, Dillon, Kenneth (Kovacevic 24), Dods (Watson 61), Dixon, S Robertson (D Robertson 46), Swanson (Hilson 61), Buaben (Cameron 46) Conway (Myrie-Williams 46), Shala (Daly 61), Cadamarteri (Smith 78).
Dundee – Soutar, Paton (Forsyth 65) Benedictus, Lauchlan (Rennie 65), Malone (Hutcheon 65), Hart, Young, Cameron, Harkins, Clarke, McMenamin (Thomson 84).
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