DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | MOTHERWELL (H)
31st October 2024
DUNDEE UNITED 4-0 ABERDEEN
CINCH PREMIERSHIP
6PM SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2022
TANNADICE PARK
There were four goals and three points this Saturday night as United breezed past Aberdeen.
WATT RETURNS TO THE STARTING XI
Last week’s goalscorer Tony Watt was named amongst the starting eleven, with Scott McMann, Craig Sibbald and Glenn Middleton also involved from the start.
Steven Fletcher missed out through injury whilst Ross Graham, Sadat Anaku and Ian Harkes started on the bench.
END-TO-END
United were quick out of the blocks but the pace settled down after the fifteen minute mark.
Aberdeen Wasteful
The visitors really should have opened the scoring after just 11 minutes. A searching ball to the back post evaded Carljohan Eriksson - Jayden Richardson squared the loose ball to Bojan Miovski but the Macedonian fluffed his lines from three yards out.
Miovski had another two chances moments later, pulling a left-footed effort wide of the goal and glancing a header wide.
Magic McGrath
Just seconds into the match, Middleton worked space down the left and fashioned a cross for Jamie McGrath, but his header was wide of the Mark.
Moments later McGrath was involved again. The midfielder stole the ball as Aberdeen looked to break and drove at the Dons defence before driving an effort goalward - only for Kelle Roos to gather.
On the half-hour mark, McGrath was booked for a late challenge as Aberdeen looked to move bodies forward into the box. It’s fair to say McGrath covered every blade of grass this evening - heavily involved at both ends of the pitch.
Our number 18 had the goal his performance deserved, putting the game to bed with a composed penalty with just over 15 minutes to play.
AN EMPHATIC FIVE MINUTES
The game burst into life once more as Aziz Behich opened the scoring five minutes from the break.
A well-worked United move led to Watt firing a shot at goal which Roos was equal to. His save fell kindly for Behich who blasted home from six yards.
Liam Fox’s men didn’t have to wait long for their second.
This time it was Sibbald who held the ball up down the right flank before a cute chip looked to find Kieran Freeman. The young full-back showed his determination as he saw off two challenges before skipping past as many Aberdeen bodies.
Freeman burst down the right flank before cutting the ball across for Watt who slammed the ball home from close range.
SHOWING GRIT
Aberdeen enjoyed a strong spell of play before the hour mark.
Miovski had a shot blocked before Clarkson and Richardson both missed chances inside the area.
A number of dangerous crosses and a penalty claim offered Aberdeen hope of getting one back, but a resolute United defence kept the Dons at bay.
PUTTING THE GAME TO BED
With less than 20 minutes to play, more United pressure resulted in a penalty. Sibbald manoeuvred his way into the box before being brought down under pressure from Ross McCrorie.
McGrath stepped up from 12 yards and blasted home to secure three points for United.
United had their fourth through a miscommunication at the back for Aberdeen.
Ryan Edwards' lofted pass was headed backwards by McCrorie but the onrushing Roos was in caught in no-mans' land as the ball trickled over the line.
PAWLETT TAKES TO THE FIELD
Tannadice rose to their feet on the 87th minute as Peter Pawlett made his first appearance since February.
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
Head Coach Liam Fox said he's pleased with the result but it's only three points.
"Moving forward, that's the level I expect. Some of the criticism has been justified, we're all aware of and accept that. All we can do is look forward with positivity."
Teamline
Starting XI: Eriksson, Smith, McMann, Edwards, Sibbald, Middleton (Sadat 70'), Behich (Graham 87'), McGrath (Harkes 85'), Levitt, Freeman, Watt (Pawlett 87')
Unused substitutes: Birighitti, Niskanen, Meekison, Cudjoe, Thomson
NEXT-UP
We’re back in action on Tuesday as we take on Hibs at Tannadice.
