Aberdeen took to the pitch knowing that only a win was sure to keep them in second place going into the final game of the season and that is the kind of position you want to be in. United on the other hand knew only a win would keep them hot on the heels of Motherwell to try and achieve Europe through the league. McNamara however made it clear that United's best chance of Europe was through the Scottish cup suggesting the manager had an eye on the Scottish cup final. This was evident as Dundee United made six changes to their starting eleven handing a first team debut for goalkeeper McCallum (Still does not take away the sweet taste of victory).
The scoring was opened inside only six minutes after a route one ball from Langfield was ill dealt with by the United defence. Vernon flicked the ball onto Pawlett who then cut back inside laying the ball back into the path of Vernon. The striker gathered well and as his touch looked to take him too far wide but he managed to slide the ball under the body of the keeper. The 3,000 or so Dons fans who had made the journey were jubilant. The one name on the United team sheet that did make us Dons fans slightly wary was Ciftci. He looked to get his team back in the match with a shot that stung the palms of Langfield five minutes after going behind. Aberdeen then looked to take advantage of Ciftci's miss and double their lead through Robson. McGinn done well to get to the bi-line and threw in a left footed cross to Robson who rose well in the box, however he saw his header drift just wide of the post. Flood then went off with a thigh problem being replaced by Smith.
The match was an extremely open one as the play rushed from end to end providing an exciting experience for both sets of fans. Yet the next goal was one that the Dons fans did not want to see. Dillon rushed unmarked up into the box and the ball was played to him. He controlled drove past Jack and thundered an effort at goal which took a nick of Reynolds. The deflection diverted the ball past Langfield which was so unfortunate as the Dons keeper looked like he could of made the save otherwise. Since the removal of Flood from the pitch the Dons had lost control in midfield a little and it was United who finished the second half strongest. The Aberdeen keeper was a busy man and he done brilliantly well to touch a Robertson volley just past the post. Langfield then produced a wonder save to tip Wilson's effort onto the bar to keep Aberdeen level going in at the break. Let's just say the interval came at the right time for the Dons.
The second half became more of a scrappy affair with Dundee United for some reason reverting to using the long ball. Yet it only took the Dons ten minutes to get their noses back in front. Robson delivered a wicked ball right on top of the keeper testing his metall. He cracked and Vernon leaped up and nodded home to once again send the Red Army wild. That lead didn't look to last long as United soon picked out Cifcti at the back post unmarked. However he didn't do his usual and finish, instead he blasted over the bar much to the relief of everyone affiliated to Aberdeen in the ground and watching on the tv. United also had a contentious offside decision go against them as Dow had the ball in the net but the linesman flagged for outside. The striker was offside by a mile *puts tongue in cheek*. The Aberdeen fans were doing there bit to get behind the team and were creating a magnificent atmosphere at Tannadice on Tuesday night. You can see that in the video opposite.
United persisted with this long ball tactic, but the Dons defence were dealing with the threat (if you could call it that) more than comfortably. It was Vernon again who scored for the Dons on 76 minutes to seal his hat-trick and the three points for the Dons. A mistake allowed Vernon in to round the keeper and roll the ball in the net. However it looked as if Souttar was getting back to clear the ball off of the line but somehow the ball snuck through into the net.
FT: Dundee United 1-3 Aberdeen
Dundee United
- 25 McCallum
- 02 Dillon
- 26 Robertson
- 16 Wilson (El Alagui - 70' )
- 20 Souttar
- 05 Gunning Booked
- 10 Armstrong
- 27 Gomis
- 21 Ciftci
- 09 Graham
- 18 Dow (Smith - 86' )
Substitutes
- 01 Cierzniak
- 12 Watson
- 19 Gauld
- 29 El Alagui
- 37 Smith
- 39 Connolly
- 41 Fraser
Aberdeen
- 01 Langfield
- 22 Jack
- 29 Logan
- 08 Flood (Smith - 31' )
- 06 Reynolds
- 04 Anderson
- 16 Pawlett
- 15 Robson Booked
- 09 Vernon (Zola - 88' )
- 10 McGinn (Tate - 74' )
- 11 Hayes Booked
Substitutes
- 07 Zola
- 14 Smith
- 20 Weaver
- 24 McManus
- 28 Tate
- 35 Murray
- 36 Rose
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