Aberdeen shocked Dundee United with two goals in the opening 10 minutes and
another at the start of the second half to open up the race for third place in
the SPL.
The Dons added a fourth late in the game through new signing Leon Mike as
Dundee United were firmly brushed aside.
Alex Smith's men never got going and were outplayed in every department by the
home side. They rarely threatened Peter Kjaer's goal, and when they did, could
only shoot weakly at the goalkeeper.
In contrast Aberdeen played with a confidence and assurance that typifies a
team looking to make it into Europe.
With Livingston losing out to St Johnstone in Perth, Ebbe Skovdahl's men will
be looking to keep this sort of form going and pip the SPL newcomers at the
death.
Aberdeen attacked from the kick-off and received their reward within two
minutes. Darren Mackie broke through from the right-hand side into the box and
unleashed a powerful low drive at Paul Gallagher.
The young United goalkeeper was only able to palm the shot away but looked on
in horror as it broke for Robbie Winters, who knocked it past him into the net.
United fought back and were unlucky not to have equalised through Steven
Thompson. The former Scotland Under-21 man latched onto a Derek Lilley pass that
cut out the Aberdeen defence, but could only shoot weakly at Kjaer.
The Dons then dominated much of the half and were rewarded once again in the
10th minute. Mackie again had a hand in the goal, but Derek Young will grab all
the headlines for a stunning volley.
The midfielder dropped deep to the back post in expectation of a cross from
Mackie, but when Danny Griffin's poor header sent the ball spinning into the
air, the player only had to slightly adjust his position to hammer the ball
across goal and past Gallagher.
Aberdeen were steamrolling United at this stage and will feel disappointed not
to have made their possession count.
Eugene Dadi, who had been subdued throughout the first half, showed some good
skill in opening up the United defence with a quick turn and cross at the edge
of the box. However, despite delivering a perfect ball to Robbie Winters, the
move did not get the goal it deserved as the former Dundee United man could only
head weakly at Gallagher from six yards.
United created their best chance of the game in the final minute of the half.
Craig Easton, who had struggled to adapt his passing game to the poor
conditions, picked out Thompson at the right-hand side of the area, but the
striker could only shoot straight into the arms of Kjaer.
The second half started in the same manner as the first and United were
stunned by an early goal from Derek Young.
The midfielder latched onto a low Darren Mackie cross, which was initially
meant for Eugene Dadi, and knocked the ball past Gallagher from 12 yards for his
second of the afternoon.
With the score at 3-0 and almost half-an-hour remaining, Ebbe Skovdahl sensed
that the game was won and decided to introduce Mike for his debut.
The former Man City striker only signed for the club yesterday and replaced
Eugene Dadi in the 63rd minute to a loud reception from the home fans.
The player almost made the perfect start to his career at Pittodrie in the
66th minute. He found himself unmarked at a Robbie Winters corner, but could
only scoop the ball over the bar from eight yards.
However, the new boy was not to be denied and he got his goal in the 81st
minute. Winters once again terrorised the United defence and set his new strike
partner up on the penalty spot to hammer the ball past Gallagher.
Teams:
Aberdeen: Kjaer, McNaughton, McGuire, Whyte, McAllister,
Mackie (Solberg 88), Bisconti, Guntveit (Tiernan 72), Winters,
Dadi (Mike 62), Derek Young.
Subs Not Used: Esson, Zerouali.
Goals: Winters 3, Derek Young 10, 48, Mike 81.
Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie (Cocozza 80), Lauchlan,
Griffin, Aljofree, Venetis, Easton, Fullarton,
Paterson (Winters 51), Lilley (Carson 61), Thompson.
Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Hannah.
Booked: Fullarton, Griffin, Aljofree.
Att: 13,612
Ref: J Rowbotham (Scotland).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook