Last-gasp ecstasy as Holt's header secures three points in our final clash of the year!

Dundee United 1 (Holt 94')

Aberdeen 0

5.15pm Sunday 29 December 2024

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 13,581

Images: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)

The Team Talk

Jim Goodwin made three changes following our Boxing Day triumph over St Johnstone. 

Luca Stephenson, David Babunski and Kristijan Trapanovski were all recalled to the starting lineup in place of Richard Odada, Kai Fotheringham and the suspended Declan Gallagher. 

Owen Stirton returned to the bench - one of three DUFC Academy graduates involved this evening. 

Roared On

It was a positive first 45 from the men in tangerine, who enjoyed more shots and shots on target, forcing Dimitar Mitov into four first-half saves to keep it level. 

Glenn Middleton - who looked lively all evening - had the first sighting of the match inside one minute as Stephenson picked out our number 15 free inside the Aberdeen box. However, cutting in on his favoured left foot, his curling effort was high and wide to leave Mitov unfased. 

Aberdeen went closest to opening the scoring on 12 minutes as ex-United man, Jamie McGrath, forced a cross to Ester Sokler inside our penalty area. A neat touch opened up space for a drive, forcing Jack Walton into a smart stop before Will Ferry was there to stop Topi Keskinen from turning home into an empty net. 

 

Penalty Drama

Following an untimely VAR intervention, we were denied a spot-kick just before the 30-minute mark. 

The decision came as Middleton's cross was diverted onto the post by an Aberdeen defender before Ferry and Trapanovski both had bites at the cherry - the latter's shot being blocked inside the box by Nicky Devlin. John Beaton initially pointed to the spot before the VAR Greg Aitken called for an on-field review and the decision was overturned after striking the visiting captain who used his arms to block his midriff. 

Chaos Closes the Half

Somehow we didn't take the lead before the break as Middleton was sharp onto a loose backward header and jinked into the penalty box. Letting fly on his left, his effort was well parried by Mitov who then reacted well to deny Trapanovski's rebounding header - although our number seven really should have scored. 

Petering Out

It was a second period filled with half-chances as we looked for the breakthrough. 

A Kevin Holt free-kick from his own half looked to catch out the Dons' number one before half-time substitute Ross Docherty had a couple of efforts whistle by. Kevin Nisbet and Devlin were both denied by some last-ditch defending as the former Hibs man looked to slot home after coming on as a sub. 

Mitov was on hand again as he got a strong arm to Dalby's header before an almighty scramble was eventually cleared as a number of United bodies looked to bundle it home. 

 

Last Gasp Drama

Our never-say-die attitude was on show once more as we deservedly grabbed all three points deep into stoppage time. 

In truth, it could have come earlier as a Middleton cross flashed across goal with no takers before being hooked clear.

The resultant long throw from Ferry spun high into the Dundee sky before Holt nodded down into the corner to spark bedlam. 

It's three massive points that put us three points shy of third after a memorable start on our return to the Premiership. 

Post-Match Thoughts

Teamlines

Dundee United

Starting XI: Walton, Strain, Holt, Ševelj, Trapanovski, Babunski (c), Ferry, Middleton, Adegboyega, Stephenson, Dalby

Subs: Richards, Graham, Odada, Fotheringham, van der Sande, Docherty, Thomson, Stirton, Meshack

 

Aberdeen

Starting XI: Mitov, Devlin (c), MacKenzie, Nilsen, McGrath, Clarkson, Palaversa, Sokler, Molloy, Rubezic, Keskinen

Subs: Doohan, Shinnie, Polvara, Nisbet, Lopes, McGarry, Morris, Macdonald, Ambrose

Next Up

Attention turns to the Dundee Derby as we cross the street for an evening kick-off on Thursday 2 January!

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