Luke McCowan’s penalty midway through the second half gave Dundee a 1-0 win over Aberdeen and took the Dee back into the top six of the Premiership. The Dark Blues were outstanding throughout and the narrow margin of victory doesn’t tell the story of Dundee’s dominance. Dundee played some lovely football and could have handed the Dons a heavy defeat. The defence was solid, the midfield combative and creative, and the strikers were alway dangerous as they harried Aberdeen. The standing ovation from the home fans at the end was richly deserved.
The Dee made two changes from the team that started against Kilmarnock 11 days ago. Dara Costelloe and Owen Dodgson came in to play as wing back, replacing the injured Josh Mulligan and Owen Beck.
Dundee were quickly on the attack and could have opened the scoring in the third minute. Scott Tiffoney’s shot from 20 yards was parried by Dons keeper Kelle Roos and Curtis Main couldn’t react quickly enough to convert the rebound.
A fast Dee attack from right to left ended with Owen Dodgson’s dangerous cross which flew through the goalmouth inches ahead of Main.
Aberdeen responded with their only meaningful attack of the first half. The Dark Blues’ defence got into a fankle trying to clear an attack and Bojan Miovski’s shot was deflected wide.
After that Dundee were back on the attack and tore at the Aberdeen defence for the rest of the half. Main set up a great chance when he turned his man and sent a low pass across goal. Lyall Cameron connected, but somehow Roos blocked the close range shot.
Roos tipped over a blistering 25 yarder from Dodgson. Cameron had an effort from 22 yards blocked and Tiffoney’s follow up was also blocked.
Late in the half Cameron took Luke McCowan’s pass, turned and from 12 yards sent his shot narrowly past the post with Roos rooted to the spot. The final piece of action in the half saw Roos turn a wicked cross from Aaron Donnelly on to the roof of his net.
In that first half the Dark Blues played excellent fast football through the midfield. All three midfielders were on top form, with good movement and passing. They were ably supported by the wing backs with both Main and Tiffoney highly effective in their different ways at the top of the pitch. The only criticism was that Dundee didn’t turn their dominance and good football into the handsome lead they deserved. The lurking fear was that the Dee would be made to pay in the second half.
Happily it didn’t pan out that way. Aberdeen did improve, but never enough to deserve to take anything from the match. Dundee remained the stronger team, playing the better football and creating far more danger in attack.
After the restart it took the Dee a few minutes to get back into gear. When they did Aberdeen were struggling to keep out the Dark Blues. Just after the hour McCowan crossed after taking Cameron’s short free kick. Joe Shaughnessy headed back across goal and Tiffoney shot against the post as supporters behind the goal screamed for a penalty.
A VAR review for possible handball was announced. After a lengthy delay referee Steven McLean went to inspect the VAR monitor. He returned to signal a penalty for Dundee. Jack MacKenzie was judged to have handled. Luke McCOWAN emphatically smacked the spot kick home. At last Dundee had the lead their play deserved.
Aberdeen pushed forward to try and save the game but without impressing or creating any real chances. The Dark Blues looked far more likely to extend their lead than be pulled back.
Tiffoney’s low pass gave Cameron a chance but he screwed his shot wide from 10 yards. Tiffoney and Dodgson both had fierce shots blocked. Roos saved from Cameron and Main as the Dee kept threatening to score a second.
As the game drifted into stoppage time Aberdeen finally started to exert pressure on Dundee, but the Dark Blues defence stood firm. A long throw caused problems and Jon McCracken had to punch clear from under the crossbar. Leighton Clarkson’s deep cross was met with a glancing header by Ester Sokler, but it lacked power and went straight into McCracken’s gloves.
Dundee managed the added time professionally and claimed the three points they had earned with constant hard work and some impressive football. Every department of the team put in a mighty shift. The defence’s clean sheet speaks for itself. The midfield was excellent, both in possession and when Aberdeen had the ball, and the forwards menaced the Dons’ defence mercilessly. Supporters might have been nervous because of the injuries that have hit the Dee, but the players who came in were all outstanding.
The margin of victory might have been narrow, and the penalty could be considered controversial, but Dundee were far superior to Aberdeen on the night. This was a bad night for Aberdeen. However, it could have been much worse. The Dark Blues threatened to play them off the park at times, and the fans loved it.
Dundee FC 3-5-2
McCracken
Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly
Costelloe (Lamie 90+1), Cameron, Sylla, McCowan, Dodgson
Main, Tiffoney (Robertson 90+1)
Unused subs: Legzdins (gk), Sharp (gk), Astley, Bakayoko, Boateng, Mellon.
Goal: McCowan (66 pen).
Booked: Main (timewasting), McCowan (timewasting).
Aberdeen 4-2-3-1
Roos
Devlin, Gartenmann, MacDonald, MacKenzie
Barron (Sokler 80), Shinnie (c)
Phillips (Clarkson 70), McGrath, Hoilett (Duk 60)
Miovski
Unused subs: Doohan (gk), Jensen, McGarry, Polvara, Duncan, Milne.
Booked: McGrath (foul on Sylla).
Referee: Steven McLean. Assistants: David Roome, Craig Ferguson. Fourth Official: Iain Snedden. VAR: Chris Graham. Assistant VAR: Graeme Leslie.
Attendance: 8,215.
Report: James Christie.
