Aberdeen were this afternoon defeated 3-0 by Dundee United in their opening match of the SPFL Season
Aberdeen 0 Dundee United 3 | Dow 29′, Mackay-Steven 45′, Erskine 90′
Match centre- please click here
Goals from Ryan Dow, Gary Mackay-Steven and Chris Erskine gave Dundee United a deserved victory over Aberdeen this afternoon in the opening Scottish Premiership game of the season. The Dons looked flat throughout and lacked the same spark and energy that we have seen in the past month in Europe.
After a frantic opening in front of a very good crowd, Aberdeen could have been in front on nine minutes when Ash Taylor, in for the suspended Russell Anderson, flicked the ball into the path of Niall McGinn's and his ball back found Andrew Considine but the left back’s volley went over the bar.
The Dons then gifted the visitors the first goal. Temporarily down to 10 men as Barry Robson received treatment, Taylor's pass-back fell well short of Jamie Langfield and Dow nipped in to collect the ball, round the keeper and score.
The goal seemed to knock the Dons confidence and it took a while to get going again.
Just before the break though Radoslaw Cierzniak misjudged Robson's cross from the left and the ball dropped to McGinn, who chested it, volleyed it and got his effort past the goalkeeper and the defenders on the line but the ball only rebounded off the base of the upright.
Seconds after hitting the woodwork United took the lead. The Dons midfield got caught in possession, Nadir Ciftci played a very good through ball to Mackay-Steven, who sent a low shot past Langfield and Considine was unable to get back and clear it off the line.
At half time Rooney came on for the injured Robson as the Dons went to a more attacking formation. In the second period the Dons had a lot of possession and did have a few chances but Pawlett from close range saw his effort blocked by Towsend, then Pawlett made a great run and set up Goodwillie but he failed to connect properly.
United on the break looked like the team more likely to score, Ciftci missing a good chance and Dow fired wide. In the closing stages Goodwillie headed Low’s clever cross over the bar and then on the break United added a third with substitute Bilate set up another sub Erskine and he coolly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
A bad day at the office for the Dons.
A bad day at the office for the Dons.
