Match ends, Dundee United 1, Aberdeen 0.
Dundee UtdDundee United1AberdeenAberdeen0
Dundee United confirmed Celtic as Scottish Premiership champions by beating Aberdeen at Tannadice.
Anything less than a Dons win would have meant an end to the title race and the visitors fell behind early on.
Robbie Muirhead latched on to John Souttar's magnificent pass and struck his first United goal past Scott Brown.
The Dons pressed in the second period but could not carve out an equaliser, meaning their league challenge ends with three games to play.
Derek McInnes' side had hoped to prolong their interest, with Celtic travelling to Pittodrie next weekend.
But Muirhead's sweet left-foot strike - his first since joining United from Kilmarnock in January - flashed past Scott Brown from 10 yards dented those ambitons.
Aberdeen had earlier gone close, top scorer Adam Rooney testing Radoslaw Cierzniak with a header which the keeper saved at the second attempt.
The visitors had plenty of pressure in the first half but United were strong in defence and that was needed as half-time neared.
A fine block from Ryan McGowan thwarted an almost certain goal from Cammy Smith, who had replaced ankle injury victim Peter Pawlett.
The Tangerines almost doubled their lead a few minutes into the restart.
Muirhead found freedom on the right but his powerful drive was blocked by a lively Brown, who beat the ball away.
Aberdeen responded and a Jaroslaw Fojut block near the goal line averted danger in a crowded area before Rooney's fierce drive was saved low by Cierzniak.
More pressure followed, with McInnes's side enjoying lots of territorial advantage, but the hosts' stubbornness continued.
And United broke clear with Nadir Ciftci racing in on goal, only for Shay Logan to make a last-ditch tackle to rob the striker 14 yards from goal.
With five minutes to go, Ash Taylor had a great chance to level when he threw himself at a fierce free-kick from the right, but the defender just failed to connect at the far post and with that the Dons last chance was gone.
Line-ups
Dundee Utd
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Cierzniak
- 16McGowanBooked at 85mins
- 5Fojut
- 14Morris
- 3Dixon
- 24SpittalSubstituted forConnollyat 46'minutes
- 8Rankin
- 4Souttar
- 21Telfer
- 10MuirheadSubstituted forSmithat 80'minutes
- 7CiftciBooked at 76mins
Substitutes
- 2Dillon
- 22Connolly
- 23Smith
- 26Szromnik
- 30Anier
- 33Spark
- 43Coote
Aberdeen
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 20Brown
- 2Logan
- 5Taylor
- 6ReynoldsBooked at 88mins
- 3ConsidineSubstituted forMcLeanat 63'minutes
- 10McGinn
- 8FloodBooked at 90mins
- 22JackSubstituted forGoodwillieat 63'minutes
- 11Hayes
- 16PawlettSubstituted forSmithat 24'minutes
- 9Rooney
Substitutes
- 1Langfield
- 7McLean
- 14Smith
- 17Goodwillie
- 19Robertson
- 25Shankland
- 28Daniels
- Referee:
- John Beaton
- Attendance:
- 8,686
Match Stats
Home TeamDundee UtdAway TeamAberdeen
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home6
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dundee United 1, Aberdeen 0.
Booking
Willo Flood (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Aidan Connolly (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Willo Flood (Aberdeen).
Post update
Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen).
Post update
Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Willo Flood (Aberdeen).
Post update
David Goodwillie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jaroslaw Fojut (Dundee United).
Post update
Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United).
Post update
Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Charlie Telfer (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen).
Post update
Attempt saved. John Rankin (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ash Taylor (Aberdeen) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Foul by Paul Dixon (Dundee United).
Post update
Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
