Dundee went down to a 4-1 defeat against Aberdeen at Pittodrie this evening. The Dark Blues had the edge in a first half in which Simon Murray missed a penalty but it was a different match after half time. Dundee couldn’t handle a resurgent Dons side who scored two quick goals from Ante Palaversa and Topi Keskinen. Simon Murray pulled a goal back but Vicente Besuijen immediately restored Aberdeen’s two goal advantage. Kevin Nisbet added a fourth in the final minute of added time.
There were two changes to the Dee’s starting 11. Jordan McGhee and Josh Mulligan kept their places after coming off the bench last week to turn the game around against Kilmarnock. Ethan Ingram and Antonio Portales moved to the bench as Dundee switched to a formation with four at the back.
Dundee got off to a good start, settling on the ball, moving forward confidently and posing problems for the Aberdeen defence. Seun Adewumi sneaked in unnoticed at the far post on the end of Ziyad Larkeche’s deep cross but the angle was too tight for a shot and the winger couldn’t find a teammate.
Aberdeen woke up quickly and ensured the match was more even and open with both teams looking capable of scoring.
Right in front of the Dee goal Clark Robertson had to clear a dangerous low ball from Graeme Shinnie. Ester Sokler headed yards wide from a promising free kick by Leighton Clarkson.
Adewumi was a constant threat to Aberdeen and timed his run well to get clear of Rubezic on the end of Larkeche’s pass, but his shot was blocked by a combination of keeper Dmitar Mitov and a defender.
Jon McCracken had to save twice from Duk. The first was a straightforward block of a shot from a tight angle. The second one was more demanding. McCracken beat away a well struck shot from 18 yards after Duk cut in from the right.
After that short spell of danger from Aberdeen the game swung in the favour of the Dark Blues who were the more composed side. Lyall Cameron’s pass sent Simon Murray into the penalty area and the striker got his shot away at the second attempt with Mitov saving.
The turning point of the match came right at the end of the first half. Gavin Molloy tried to shepherd a long ball out for a goal kick. Simon Murray pinched the ball and Molloy pulled him down for the most obvious of penalties.
Frustratingly for the Dark Blues Murray’s spot kick was well saved at full stretch by Mitov and Dundee didn’t have the half time lead they would have deserved.
The penalty save gave Aberdeen a boost and they took full advantage of their escape. The Dons were a different prospect in the second half. The first 15 minutes after the restart were dominated by Aberdeen and Dundee didn’t get a look in till they were two goals behind and staring defeat in the face.
The opening goal came after 53 minutes. Dundee couldn’t clear a corner. The ball pinged around the box until Ante PALAVERSA lashed home a low shot from 16 yards.
It was disappointing to fall behind from a poorly defended corner after a good first half performance, but the Dark Blues didn’t learn the lesson. Four minutes later the defence couldn’t deal with another corner and Duk headed against the post.
The second goal followed almost immediately. Clark Robertson’s attempted clearance of a ball dropping into the penalty area struck Topi KESKINEN in the chest and the Finnish winger smashed a fierce shot through McCracken’s legs to score.
After that awful 15 minutes the Dark Blues played their way back into the game. Cameron sent Seb Palmer-Houden into the penalty area and it took a good save by Mitov to keep out the angled drive.
Scott Tiffoney and Ethan Ingram came on for Seun Adewumi and Jordan McGhee after 64 minutes. Tiffoney made a lively contribution and he provided the assist for the goal that gave the Dark Blues fleeting hope with 70 minutes gone. The winger sent over a perfect cross from the left for Simon MURRAY to score with a lovely glancing header inside the far post.
Dundee’s reaction to scoring was to lose concentration and allow Aberdeen to help themselves to the simplest of goals.
Immediately after Murray’s goal Aberdeen made two substitutions and the newcomers combined to kill the game and any chance of a Dee fightback. Kevin Nisbet sent Vicente BESUIJEN running clear to shoot past McCracken. It was ridiculously easy.
The setback knocked the stuffing out of the Dee and Aberdeen were able to see the game out comfortably. Dundee kept attacking and often worked their way into good positions but without being able to find the right final ball or seriously trouble the Dons defence.
Aberdeen were always dangerous on the break. McCracken saved well from a Nisbet shot from distance, but was helpless in the final minute of added time. Aberdeen broke away and NISBET scored with a shot from 20 yards that took a deflection which left McCracken diving the wrong way.
This was a painful defeat and it featured the problems that have plagued the Dee this season. After offering plenty of promise the Dark Blues fell out of the game with cheaply conceded goals. Aberdeen took their chances well, but Dundee’s defending was not good enough.
In the first half the Dark Blues defence was at least as good as Aberdeen’s, and probably better when Molloy’s dreadful mistake to concede a penalty is taken into account. After half time, however, Dundee failed to handle routine pressure. Once they were in front a confident Aberdeen team stepped up their game and were never going to be caught.
The final score is harsh on Dundee, who looked a much better side for most of the match than 4-1 suggests, but the Dark Blues only have themselves to blame for the outcome. Dundee might have played some pleasing football, but they didn’t take their chances and they made it far too easy for Aberdeen to help themselves to goals. Dundee were often good in possession, but not nearly good enough when Aberdeen had the ball.
Aberdeen 4-2-3-1
Mitov
Devlin (Milne 85), Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie
Shinnie, Palaversa
Keskinen (Morris 67), Clarkson (Besuijen 71), Duk (Ambrose 85)
Sokler (Nisbet 71)
Unused subs: Doohan (gk), McGarry, MacDonald, Stewart.
Goals: Palaversa (53), Keskinen (57), Besuijen (72), Nisbet (90+7).
Booked: Devlin (foul on Cameron), Rubezic (foul on Adewumi), Palaversa (foul on Koumetio).
Dundee FC 4-3-3
McCracken
McGhee (Ingram 64), Astley, Clark Robertson, Larkeche (Koumetio 79)
Cameron, Sylla, Mulligan (Fin Robertson 90)
Palmer-Houlden, Murray (c) (Main 90), Adewumi (Tiffoney 64)
Unused substitutes: Sharp (gk), Braybrooke, Portales.
Goal: Murray (70).
Booked: Astley (foul on Sokler).
Referee: David Dickinson. Asasistants: Graeme Stewart, Paul O’Neill. VAR: Alan Muir. Assistant VAR: Alan Mulvanny.
Attendance: 19,274.
Report: James Christie.
