THE Dundee derby has become an occasion rather than a contest, a fixture for two clubs which now seems to be owned by one.

Among the countless chants hurled back and fore at a boisterous, packed Dens Park the most pointed came from the jubilant United supporters at full time.

They taunted the home stands with "three-nil again" as Dundee fans fled to the exits. It was 3-0 United in a July friendly, then again in the league in August, and now in December. There have not been many recent meetings yet the last time Dundee won a competitive derby was November 2004, so long ago that Fabian Caballero and Derek McInnes played.

This did not feel like a game with three goals between the teams yet United were the better side in every department, and Dundee's subsequent complaints about referee Willie Collum rang hollow. Manager Barry Smith was unhappy that advantage was played after United's Stuart Armstrong was fouled in the penalty area with the score at 1-0 midway through the second half, only for play to be recalled and a penalty given when their attack petered out.

Jon Daly scored it, in between the goals from Keith Watson and Willo Flood.

"Major decisions have gone against us," said Smith. "I think it has to be cleared up, there are too many grey areas. What is a penalty? When do we stop playing advantage? He allowed Daly to have a shot, then gives a penalty. Is it advantage or a penalty? You can't have both. There's no point speaking to the referee after the game. Some of them don't give respect back. Football is a heated game and they say we don't give them respect, but some of them don't give respect. Why we have a referee today that we had two weeks ago, I don't know."

United manager Peter Houston had an entirely different interpretation, of course. "I think when you wipe someone out in the penalty box it's a penalty kick. I think the referee made the correct decision and a brave decision."

It was a poor, scrappy game, low on quality although eventful enough. Dundee in particular gave the ball away far too cheaply and failed to put in good deliveries. There were too many niggly fouls, too many interceptions and tackles for any rhythm to develop although there was always a sense of greater quality and menace from United.

Dens Park was bathed in winter sunshine which made life difficult for Dundee in the first half. When Barry Douglas swung a corner into the penalty area after 17 minutes Watson connected with a diving header which flashed past goalkeeper Rab Douglas and inside his far post. Perhaps Douglas may have had little chance regardless, but his view of the ball's flight could not have been good.

Big Rab had one of those days. Watson almost beat him again with a long-range shot. He managed to palm it up in the air but for a moment Dundee feared it would loop into the goal behind him. Instead it landed on the roof of the net. Later he was cool enough to sidestep Johnny Russell with the ball at his feet – a mistake would have meant a certain goal – but it was not long before Russell reprimanded him by smashing a firm shot off one of his posts.

Russell was a handful, his strength and pace worrying Dundee. Watson and Flood were prominent too, although United were not that comfortable until the penalty for their second. It came from nothing. Kevin McBride's attempt to hoof the ball upfield was charged down by Armstrong, who burrowed into the penalty area before delivering a cross to Daly. Gary Irvine clattered Armstrong a moment after he released the ball and Collum played advantage until Daly's shot was blocked. To Dundee's anger, he then brought the play back and gave a penalty which Daly converted.

Dundee and Douglas's suffering was not over yet. Flood's shot took a deflection and skipped up over Douglas's hand three minutes from time to give United what has become their mandatory 3-0.

"It was a complete, professional performance from us today," said Houston. "I think in recent weeks we've played better football but in a derby the most important thing is winning and getting the three points. Our fans are away with the bragging rights. I thought Dundee United were the better team, we made the better chances. We scored three and we could have scored more. That's the third derby I've had and they've all been three-nil victories. I can't ask for any more than that."

Dundee had their moments. Steve Milne was guilty of an awful miss after being put through in the first half, and early in the second they should have had a penalty when Brian McLean handled in the box. Matt Lockwood struck an excellent free-kick to the top corner which Radoslaw Cierzniak did well to touch away for a corner.

United are now seventh in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and Dundee bottom. Their derby roles seem to be set in stone: United joyous and superior, Dundee beleaguered and beaten.