Match ends, Dundee United 0, Aberdeen 1.
Dundee UtdDundee United0AberdeenAberdeen1
- McLean's late header wins Aberdeen points
- Dons midfielder's third goal of season
Kenny McLean's late looping header gave Aberdeen all three points against Dundee United at Tannadice.
The hosts had chances in the first half with Chris Erskine, Charlie Telfer and Mario Bilate all going close.
But the Dons grew stronger as the game went on and Jonny Hayes fired wide before Andrew Considine's shot was cleared off the line.
Aberdeen kept pressing and McLean finally found the net when he directed David Goodwillie's cross into the net.
The two sides had met on the opening day of last season, with United taking advantage of the Dons European adventures with a 3-0 win.
This time, Dons boss Derek McInnes, fearing a repeat, made four changes after the long trip home from the midweek Europa League third qualifying round defeat in Kazakhstan - and the freshness paid dividends.
The fast pace of the game was typical of recent New Firm derbies and United's Erskine and the Dons' Cammy Smith both made early runs through the middle before working the goalkeepers with low drives.
There were very few clear-cut opportunities in the first half, but Dundee United striker Bilate was handed a golden opportunity just seconds before the break.
However, he fired his effort straight at goalkeeper Danny Ward from just 10 yards out.
Aberdeen came out much stronger in the second period and it took a terrific goal-line clearance by United captain for the day Ryan McGowan to deny Considine's effort from the corner of the six yard box.
McInnes threw on Goodwillie and Niall McGinn as his side refused to settled for a point with the game heading towards ending goalless.
Goodwillie swung in a cross from the left hand side and, although it was a poor delivery, McLean stooped low to back head the ball from around 10 yards on the angle and into the back of the net in off the underside of the crossbar.
It was a piece of magic that the game badly needed and, despite United attempts, the Aberdeen defence held out with some ease to begin their league campaign with all three points.
The victory also gives them a boost ahead of Thursday's Europa League second leg against Kairat Almaty.
Line-ups
Dundee Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 51Zwick
- 12McGowan
- 17DurnanBooked at 90mins
- 28DonaldsonBooked at 40mins
- 3Dixon
- 4Souttar
- 8RankinSubstituted forSneijderat 72'minutes
- 11Erskine
- 16TelferSubstituted forMurrayat 62'minutes
- 20Spittal
- 19BilateSubstituted forBodulat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Dillon
- 7Sneijder
- 10Muirhead
- 13McCallum
- 15Murray
- 22Fraser
- 30Bodul
Aberdeen
Formation 3-5-2
- 19Ward
- 18Quinn
- 4ConsidineBooked at 43minsSubstituted forJackat 78'minutes
- 5Taylor
- 2Logan
- 8Flood
- 14SmithSubstituted forMcGinnat 62'minutes
- 3Shinnie
- 11HayesSubstituted forGoodwillieat 68'minutes
- 7McLean
- 9Rooney
Substitutes
- 10McGinn
- 15Robson
- 16Pawlett
- 17Goodwillie
- 20Brown
- 22Jack
- 27Wright
- Referee:
- Kevin Clancy
- Attendance:
- 10,706
Match Stats
Home TeamDundee UtdAway TeamAberdeen
- Possession
- Home41%
- Away59%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away11
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dundee United 0, Aberdeen 1.
Post update
Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Ryan McGowan (Dundee United).
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Attempt missed. David Goodwillie (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Booking
Mark Durnan (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Mark Durnan (Dundee United).
Post update
David Goodwillie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Mark Durnan (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by David Goodwillie (Aberdeen).
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Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Blair Spittal.
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Foul by Coll Donaldson (Dundee United).
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Paul Quinn (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Ash Taylor.
Goal!
Goal! Dundee United 0, Aberdeen 1. Kenny McLean (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by David Goodwillie.
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Paul Dixon.
Post update
Foul by Rodney Sneijder (Dundee United).
Post update
Kenny McLean (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Ryan Jack replaces Andrew Considine.
Post update
Foul by Paul Dixon (Dundee United).
