Aberdeen 3
Dundee Utd 1
League (SPL)

Match Report

Following the second international break of the season, United travelled to Pittodrie to face rivals Aberdeen with both sides hoping to improve on their far from convincing starts to the league campaign. Peter Houston made two changes to his starting line-up from the 3-1 home defeat to Motherwell a fortnight previously: Scott Allan and Johnny Russell were brought back into the side with Ryan Dow dropping to the bench and Keith Watson missing out altogether through injury.

United started off the brighter with home side struggling to contain the lively Danny Swanson. After only five minutes Johnny Russell tested Gonzalez in the Aberdeen goal with a powerful shot from outside the box which was tipped over the crossbar. However it was Dons who took the lead in the 14th minute: Fraser Fyvie’s corner was met by Rory Fallon whose downwards header was parried by Dusan Pernis but Kári Ãrnason was lurking to smash the rebound into the roof of the net. The home fans were screaming for a penalty after 28 minutes when Rob Milsom went down inside the box after skipping past two defenders. Referee Willie Collum instead gave a free-kick United’s way as he had adjudged Milsom to have handled the ball as he fell. United had a penalty shout of their own when Danny Swanson appeared to have been tripped in the box just as he was away to have a shot at goal after being played through by Johnny Russell. It wasn't apparent whether Ryan Jack had made contact with Swanson or if the United midfielder had kicked his own foot in the act of shooting but in any case the referee did not award a spot-kick and Swanson had to be replaced by Lauri Dalla Valle after seriously injuring himself during the incident.

The home side came out at the beginning of the second half looking determined to build upon their first half lead and indeed in the 51st minute they scored their second goal of the game. Garry Kenneth was penalised for a shove on Rory Fallon midway inside the United half and from the resulting free-kick Youl Mawene found himself completely unmarked in the box and his glancing header from six yards looped over Pernis and into the net. Aberdeen were now in control of the match and in the 60th minute they added a third goal. A free-kick into the box from Rob Milsom caused havoc amongst the United defence and following a six yard line ‘stramash’ the ball broke to Andrew Considine to fire a low shot towards goal which should have been dealt with by Pernis but United’s usually reliable goalkeeper fumbled the ball over the line. With the result pretty much secured for the home side they began to take their foot off the pedal and allow United some time on the ball. John Rankin worked the Aberdeen goalkeeper with a powerful drive from long range which Gonzalez tipped around his left-hand post. United did grab a consolation goal through Lauri Dalla Valle who got on the end of Stuart Armstrong’s ball across the face of goal to tap home at the back post. However a comeback did not materialise and the match finished 3-1 to Aberdeen: a second bitterly disappointing performance and defeat in a row for Peter Houston’s men.