Aberdeen managed to pick up all three points from a game where they were up against it at times. Strong defending and a clinical finishin from the men in red meant that they sent Dundee Utd and their travelling contingent back down the A90 with nothing to cheer about.
McInnes made several changes to the side that started against Ross County before the international break. In came Anderson, Zola and Flood who replaced Smith, Vernon and Hector. All had to be content with a place on the bench. Aberdeen were firing into the Merkland Road end for the first half as ever.
Aberdeen began the match well and were camped in the Dundee Utd half looking for an early opener. Several decent crosses were being put into the Utd box, but Zola and Anderson just couldn't quite get there to meet the ball. Dundee Utd pressed forward and the ball came to Rankin at the edge of the box after an Armstrong cross. Rankin let fly a low powerful drive at goal which shaved Langfield's left hand post. Inches away from finding the opening goal. On the half hour mark Aberdeen looked to press home their advantage of another spell of pressure on the Dundee United goal. Considine produced a cross from the far left of the pitch which was headed clear to the edge of the box by the United defence. Hayes anticipated well and nicked the ball off the toes of Gauld. He drove in at goal and fired a shot at the near post which stung the palms of Cierzniak and he diverted the ball behind. Ryan Jack then whipped in an inviting cross from a free-kick from which Shaughnessy headed on to the back post. McGinn was waiting and looked to pounce and poke the ball into the back of the net, but it skidded just too fast and too far in front of him and could only touch it wide of the target. It was after that, that Dundee United were beginning to take control of the game, and a good chance for Ciftci came along after Zola made a hash of a clearance from a Ryan Gauld corner. Goodwillie picked up the ball on the right wing and swung in a delightful ball to which Ciftci rose and connected but could only head over the bar, much to the relief of Langfield. Aberdeen were more or less hanging on for half time now. Another United corner almost led to the first goal of the game. Watson tried a bicycle kick on the ground following a real scrap in the box, the ball looked to be heading in but once again fell only inches past the post. The Dons were lucky to go in at half time level.
However, whatever the gaffer has said to them at half time seemed to have worked. It was a different team that came out for the second half. Neat midfield play and a clinical finish gave this New Firm derby it's first goal. Thankfully it was something for the home support to go wild at. Several slick passes had been moved about before Flood picked the ball up on the halfway line and spotted Pawlett in space drifting across to the left hand side. The Former Dundee Utd player (who was being booed every time he touched the ball by the away support) threaded a lovely ball into the Pawlett who drove at the defence forcing them backwards.
McGinn had made a run along the left hand touchline and Pawlett found him, McGinn unexpectedly put in a low first time cross which layed the ball on a plate for Zola who slotted home into the corner of the net. The Aberdeen support erupted creating a wall of noise leaving the large Dundee Utd support silent. Aberdeen had the advantage. The away team looked to respond and get an equaliser. Their shots however were from a distance and were not troubling the on form Dons keeper Jamie Langfield. The glaring oppertunity for the team in white shirts and orange shorts came in the 73rd minute, Mackay-Steven cut the ball back to Goodwillie and all he had to do was slot past the keeper, but out rushed Langfield and closed the United striker down and made a terrific save. Outstanding keeping. Aberdeen almost doubled their lead when what looked like a harmless Hayes Cross looked to be dropping into the top corner of the net. The Dundee Utd keeper had to be aware and tipped it over the bar. Aberdeen survived one last wave of Tangerine pressure to see out the game. A great win for Aberdeen beating local rivals Dundee Unite in the "New Firm" derby.
FT: Aberdeen 1-0 Dundee Utd
Aberdeen
- 01 Langfield Booked
- 02 Shaughnessy Booked (Robson - 65' )
- 06 Reynolds
- 08 Flood
- 04 Anderson Booked
- 05 Considine Booked
- 11 Hayes
- 22 Jack (Hector - 80' )
- 07 Zola (Vernon - 77' )
- 10 McGinn
- 16 Pawlett
Substitutes
- 09 Vernon
- 14 Smith
- 15 Robson
- 17 Wylde
- 18 Low
- 20 Weaver
- 27 Hector
Dundee United
- 01 Cierzniak
- 12 Watson
- 26 Robertson
- 06 Paton
- 02 Dillon
- 05 Gunning
- 21 Ciftci
- 08 Rankin
- 07 Goodwillie (Dow - 80' )
- 10 Armstrong (Graham - 74' )
- 19 Gauld (Mackay-Steven - 56' )
Substitutes
- 04 Butcher
- 09 Graham
- 11 Mackay-Steven
- 16 Wilson
- 18 Dow
- 25 McCallum
- 27 Gomis
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