Aberdeen 2 - 0 Dundee United

Aberdeen got back to winning ways with a comfortable and thoroughly deserved victory this afternoon against Dundee United. The Dons completely dominated the first 30 minutes or so but could find no way past Michael Szromnik who made a couple of decent saves. At the start of the second half Aberdeen picked up the tempo again and were rewarded on 51 minutes. Man of the match Jonny Hayes put over a good ball from the left, something he did all afternoon, and as Pawlett challenged for the ball it looped up and Rooney was in the right place to head home his third goal in three games. United did have a few chances but with just over twenty minutes to go Aberdeen got the vital second goal. Willo Flood started the move with a clever first time pass which released Pawlett. Both players, who had been brought back into the side today, had fine games. Peter then played in Hayes and Jonny did the rest, firing a low shot into the far corner of the net. After that the Dons could relax and they could have added to their goal tally which would not have been an unfair reflection on the game. Everyone at Pittodrie will be delighted to head into the international break with the win and now a chance to recharge the batteries.

match report
The Dons lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jack and Flood sat with Hayes, Pawlett and Hayes behind Rooney. Aberdeen made a very positive start. After a few dangerous crosses from both sides and a chance on 9 minutes. Logan's cross was met by Hayes at the back post but his effort was off target. On15 minutes a good ball by Shinnie and then a ball in by Hayes had to be dealt with Szromnik in the United goal as Aberdeen continued to press

Just before the 16 minute mark both sets of supporters got to their feet to give a standing ovation in memory of 16 year old Bailey Gwynne.

After 17 minutes a good ball by Shinnie looked to have created a goal but Durnan did very well to put the ball over his own bar from a couple of yards out. Pawlett was right behind him and would have scored if the defender had not intervened. Aberdeen were causing real problems in the wide areas and were getting plenty of crosses over. Hayes and Shinnie in particular were putting over some great deliveries from the left. Both players also combined very well. Aberdeen then forced a couple of corners. It really was all one way traffic at this stage but one of the corners was too shallow and the other one was too deep.

United had their first real attack on 25 minutes. A Blair Spittal shot took a defection and the ball just went over the bar. From the resulting corner Reynolds did well to head clear. After 26 minutes Szromnik struggled to cope with a cross as Pawlett put pressure on him. McLean then picked out Shinnie and his low shot looked to be heading into the corner but Szromnik made an excellent save, diving to his left and tipping the ball past the post. On 34 minutes Rankin was fortunate not to be booked for a tackle on McLean. The Dons midfield were in control but frustratingly they had not turned their domination into goals. On 38 minutes the goal almost came. Hayes again with a cross from the left, and Flood made a great run into the box and met the ball perfectly but lifted it over the bar.

On 39 minutes Adam Taggart had a half chance and won his team a corner. The Dons cleared and had a great chance to break but Jack's ball was intercepted and United had a two on one. Scott Fraser should have played in Mckay but went himself and put his shot past the post. A major let off for the Dons as United should have executed the two on one better and probably should have scored.

HT

At the start of the second half Aberdeen picked up the tempo again and this time they were rewarded. Hayes was giving Dillon a very hard time down the line and continued putting over some dangerous balls. United actually had a half chance when Dillon crossed for Fraser who got above Logan but his header was too high. Then on 51 minutes Aberdeen took the lead. Again it all came from a Hayes run down the left. The ball was half blocked at the near post as Pawlett attempted to challenge. The ball bounced up and Adam Rooney was on hand to head home from close range.

Just before the hour mark United broke well and created an overload on the right hand side. Sean Dillon had time to set himself for a shot without being closed down and his low effort only just went past the post, although Ward did appear to have it covered. On the hour mark the Dons again did well down the left - Reynolds to Hayes to Shinnie and he got himself into a good position in the area but his cross was over hit. He would have been better with a driven cross.

On 65 minutes United put Simon Murray on for Taggart. A minute later Murray did well down the right to beat Reynolds and put over a dangerous cross which Ward had push to safety. Then from a throw in Taylor's headed clearance only dropped as far Fraser and his low shot went inches past Ward's left hand post. That was the closest United came to scoring. United continued to cause a few problems and Pittodrie was becoming quite nervous.

All that was to change on 72 minutes. Flood played a brilliant first time ball into Pawlett who had space to turn. He played in Hayes and Jonny did the rest. His low shot found the far corner and the Dons were 2-0 up. A great goal all round.

On 75 minutes Rankin hit a powerful low shot which Ward did well to hold on to. The keeper once again never put a foot wrong all afternoon. With just under 15 minutes to go a double change for the Dons. Robson, who is 37 today, came on for McLean and McGinn came on for Pawlett.

Aberdeen had chances to add to their lead in the final ten minutes. On 81 minutes McGinn made a great tackle, the Dons had a five on four but Hayes curled a shot over. On 84 minutes Jack put a shot from 25 yards just wide. With three minutes to go Billy Mckay had a half chance but Reynolds blocked well. Aberdeen kept the Northern Ireland striker quiet all afternoon. With a minute to go McLaughlin replaced Hayes, who was given a standing ovation and rightly chosen as the man of the match.