Dundee United completed 2024 with a flourish as they secured a dramatic late 1-0 victory towards Aberdeen at Tannadice.
The sport appeared prefer it was heading for a goalless draw earlier than Kevin Holt soared highest to go previous Dons goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov deep in stoppage time.
The consequence means United have solely misplaced as soon as in 9 video games whereas Aberdeen have now did not win any of their final eight, with the Terrors now simply three factors behind the third-from-top Dons.
United made three modifications to the staff that beat St Johnstone on Boxing Day with David Babunski, Kristijan Trapanovski and Luca Stephenson coming in for the suspended Declan Gallagher, Richard Odada and Kai Fotheringham.
Aberdeen made 4 alterations to the beginning line-up that misplaced 4-0 to Kilmarnock on Thursday with Leighton Clarkson, Ante Palaversa, Gavin Molloy and Ester Sokler changing Angus MacDonald, Graeme Shinnie, Duk and Peter Ambrose.
The hosts had been the primary to threaten in simply the third minute when the ball was labored to Glenn Middleton contained in the Dons field however the winger despatched a shot crusing over Mitov’s purpose.
Aberdeen had an excellent higher probability when Sokler hit a fierce shot, with United keeper Jack Walton diving to his left to make an important block and Topi Keskinen unable to make the most of the rebound.
There was an enormous second of controversy simply earlier than the half-hour mark.
A Middleton cross was headed onto his personal bar by a Dons defender after which a Trapanovski shot was blocked by Nicky Devlin, with referee John Beaton pointing to the spot for handball. After a VAR examine, Beaton was known as over to the pitchside monitor and determined to overturn his authentic ruling.
United bounced again shortly from that disappointment, coming near breaking the impasse when Middleton burst in from the fitting, hitting a shot that was saved by Mitov. Trapanovski appeared sure to go house the rebound however the keeper rushed throughout his purpose to make an outstanding cease.
There was little to excite the followers initially of the second half though Holt tried his luck within the 56th minute with a wind-assisted free-kick from inside his personal half that flew over the bar.
Aberdeen then had two quickfire probabilities for sub Kevin Nisbet and Devlin however each pictures had been blocked.
On the different finish, Trapanovski had a shot deflected simply vast after which Sam Dalby despatched a header in direction of purpose however Mitov produced one other very important cease to disclaim the striker, with the ball finally being cleared following an almighty goalmouth scramble.
Nonetheless, United wouldn’t be denied and within the fourth minute of stoppage time Will Ferry despatched an extended throw-in from the left, with Holt heading house to absolutely the delight of the ten,000 house followers inside Tannadice.
What the managers stated…
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin:
“To win it in the fashion we did, Kevin Holt was outstanding all day and I know he got man of the match.
“However his need to get on the top of that throw, to win it like that in that second of the sport, it is simply completely magnificent.
“If we have as good a second half to the campaign as what we’ve had to the first half, then we’ll be right up there competing for these European spaces.
“However we do not to get carried away. You may see how congested the league is now with numerous groups beneath us choosing up factors – it is a very aggressive league.
“We’ll enjoy the moment but we certainly won’t allow us to get too far ahead of ourselves. We focus on the next one now which is the derby game and we’ll march up that street with our chests out with pride, ready to go to battle.”
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin:
“It’s not nice right now, it’s disappointing for us and the team. But if I look at the team and compare the last three or four games, today we can see parts of why we were winning games before.
“There was extra effort, working for one another, extra aggressive within the duels. Numerous issues had been again inside the sport, nevertheless it’s actually tough to take this consequence.
“Football is about results but we have to grasp that the performance in some parts with the effort and duels, being competitive, they were back. We have to grasp it and try build for the next game.”
