Aberdeen 1
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premiership)

Match Report

United arrived at Pittodrie having failed to win at the stadium since 2009. Around 2,000 United fans made the trip to see if they could leapfrog their North-east rivals. Aberdeen had three ex-Dundee United men in the squad with Willo Flood, Barry Robson and Nicky Weaver all involved. Morgaro Gomis took his place on the bench, while Gavin Gunning came in for John Souttar.

United started the better of the two teams. David Goodwillie got free and with a clear sight of goal and only Jamie Langfield in his way he looked to be wrongly ruled offside. Soon after, John Rankin's low shot was deflected wide by Mark Reynolds. United continued to dominate and Stuart Armstrong hit a left-foot shot just wide after 30 minutes. Aberdeen picked up after this, and when Ryan Gauld was slow to react after Gavin Gunning's poor clearance, Jonny Hayes nipped in ahead of him and tested Radoslaw Cierzniak with a fierce strike. Ryan Jack then struck a free-kick which Joe Shaughnessy managed to nod into the path of Niall McGinn, who almost squeezed it in at the far post. The game was pulsating and switching back and forth. Prior to half time, Keith Watson fired an scissor kick just wide after Gavin Gunning's knockdown.

Aberdeen came out all guns blazing for the second half and they got their reward when Peter Pawlett drove through the middle of the park and found McGinn on the left. The Northern Irishman's first time ball across goal gave Calvin Zola an easy finish. Dundee United bounced back and eventually got back into their stride. Armstrong and Nadir Ciftci both fired good efforts wide, and Jamie Langfield had to race off his line to deny Goodwillie after Gary Mackay-Steven had picked him out in the box. However, Aberdeen held firm as, despite United finishing the stronger of the two, they were unable to equalise.

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page