It was a game of two halves as Aberdeen hit back to snatch a point.

Aberdeen 2 (Nisbet 75', 90'+1')

Dundee United 2 (Ševelj 20', Dalby 45'+9)

3pm Sunday 2 March 2025

Pittodrie Stadium

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 17,862

Images: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)

The Team Talk

Jim Goodwin made three changes following a frustrating midweek defeat to Hibernian. 

Craig Sibbald, Glenn Middleton and Kristijan Trapanovski were named amongst the starters, whilst Emmanuel Adegboyega and Ruari Paton dropped to the bench. After picking up a niggle on Wednesday, Will Ferry missed out on a matchday squad which featured three DUFC Academy graduates. 

Hustle and Bustle

It was a frantic and fast-paced opening, but neither 'keper was worked inside a busy opening 15 minutes in the north-east. 

Kevin Nisbet and Topi Keskinen both had shots blocked inside the United box before a long-range drive struck Ross Graham. Aberdeen players appealed for handball, but a quick VAR check clearly showed no foul. The resulting corner found Mats Knoester, but his header sailed over the bar without harm. 

A Crucial Opener

Vicko Ševelj got his second of the season as we took charge at Pittodrie after 20 minutes. 

Wasting no time in making an impact, it was a wicked Middleton corner that sailed to the back post, and our number 5 was there to nod it down into the net to spark bedlam in the away end. 

We were forced into an early first-half change following the opener, as Declan Gallagher was unable to continue after picking up a knock, leading to Adegboyega replacing him.

Almost Doubling Down

It looked like an inspired substitution as Adegboyega found himself in the right place at the right time to turn the ball home for what looked like our second. Once again, it came from a Middleton delivery, and after initially being controlled by our number 16, Ševelj’s attempted strike was diverted in off Adegboyega’s midriff.

However, a quick VAR check correctly ruled him offside.

Hitting the Head

We eventually doubled our advantage as Scotland’s most in-form target man found the net for the 13th time.

A cleverly worked short corner was laid back to Trapanovski, whose pinpoint delivery was right on the money for Dalby to glance a header (without any doubt), into the far corner, leaving Dimitar Mitov with no chance deep into eight additional first-half minutes!

Looking For The Killer Blow

Following a quiet start to second-half proceedings, Trapanovski came close to scoring after a clever flick over the defender sent him racing past the Aberdeen full-back. However, his effort whistled just wide as we pushed for a third.

We made two separate changes as Trapanovski and Sibbald made way for Kai Fotheringham and Jort van der Sande.  

Hosts Hit Back

We were in for a cagey conclusion as Nisbet reduced the deficit 15 minutes from time. 

It was a tidy finish as Alexander Jensen found the Aberdeen striker inside a cluster of bodies, and he took one touch to set himself before cushioning an effort low into the corner beyond the reach of Jack Walton. 

Made to Pay

Second-half substitute Kai Fotheringham passed up a glorious chance to wrap up the points, rising too early to meet Strain’s looping cross and heading over the bar before Nisbet was at the double to snatch a point inside the first minute of added time. 

It was all too easy as Mats Knoester's cross drifted all the way to the back post, where Nisbet was in the right place at the right time to touch home.

It was backs to the wall in what remained, The Terrors tiring after a gruelling schedule, but we held out for what may well turn out to be a positive point on the road. 

Post-Match Thoughts

Teamlines

Aberdeen

Starting XI: Mitov, Mackenzie, Knoester, Nilsen (c), Nisbet, Gueye, Okkels, Palaversa, Tobers, Jensen, Keskinen

Subs: Doohan, Shinnie, Polvara, Clarkson, Dabbagh, Morris, Dorrington, Boyd, Ambrose

Dundee United

Starting XI: Walton, Strain, Ševelj, Graham, Trapanovski, Sibbald, Middleton, Stephenson, Dalby, Campbell, Gallagher (c)

Subs: Richards, Fiorini, Babunski, Adegboyega, Fotheringham, van der Sande, Paton, Cleall-Harding

Next Up

No fixture next weekend leaves all eyes on the Dundee Derby in a fortnight's time. 

Home end tickets are now sold out. We are in the process of finalising orders, and a limited additional allocation may be released in the coming days, subject to availability. 

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