Aberdeen travelled to Tannadice, in search of the 3 points which would take them above the Arabs and maintain their push for Europe. However, after 15 minutes they found themselves with a mountain to climb after sloppy defensive errors cost them two soft goals. The first bordered on comical as Severin, Diamond and perhaps Langfield too, were all at fault as Sandanza opened the scoring. The second was not much better, as De Visscher was far too easily beaten by Conway on the right, who fired it across goal leaving Feeney with an easy tap in. After this, Aberdeen steadied the ship and gradually played their way back into the game, with Miller`s well struck free kick being the closest they came to a goal before half time. The second period was one-sided. Aberdeen dominated and came close twice as Mackie`s header hit the post and Miller`s was well saved by Boruc wannabe, Zaluska. On 66 minutes, the Dons scored. Miller headed a deep cross back across goal and Mackie rose well to head home. At this point, Aberdeen were well in the ascendancy but could not find the cutting edge required to level the game. In 88th minute the Dons looked to have levelled but the linesman dubiously ruled the goal offside.
For me, the Dons paid the price for their early errors. These two goals could easily have been avoided. However they reacted well to the set back and were by far the better team for 70 minutes. They deserved a draw and perhaps with a little more luck they would have got it.
Player Ratings
Langfield
Could have done better for first United goal, but could do little about the second.
Hodgkiss
Did little wrong, but did not contribute much going forward. Substituted in 2nd half.
Foster
Difficult to get passed due to shear pace, but distribution from the back left a lot to be desired. Played better in 2nd half in midfield role.
Diamond
Horrendous mis-judgement for first goal. Settled down afterwards and won lots of ball in air.
Severin
Also at fault for first goal. Played reasonably steadily after that but would probably do better in his natural midfield role.
De Visscher
Eventually substituted after a poor showing.
Kerr
Worked hard in midfield engine room.
Young
After an anonymous first half, was substituted at half time.
Aluko
Flashes of brilliance from the young Englishman always looked a threat down the left
Miller
Fought hard up front. Not an easy job playing target man while marked by big United defenders
Mackie
Took goal well, good overall performance
Mulgrew
Some good crosses and generally did well going forward with Aluko down the left
McDonald
Far from a standout performance but did little wrong
The red army out in force
Looked lively when he came on but did not have enough time to make any major impact
Deano`s return?
Chants of “There`s only one Deano” and “Deano`s coming home” show the feelings of the Red Army towards the rumoured return of 39 year old legend and cult hero Dean Windass, ten years after he left Pittodrie.
Defensive errors
No doubt Jimmy will mention “individual errors” and “sloppy defending” again as Aberdeen shot themselves in the foot in the first fifteen minutes. Apart from that fifteen minutes the reds were comfortably on top.
The red army out in force
From quarter to 2 there were queues round the block to enter the shed. And as usual the vast travelling support created all the atmosphere within Tannadice.
