Dundee 1-2 Aberdeen: Dons end winless run at 15th attempt to move back up to third in Scottish Premiership

Aberdeen’s long wait for a Scottish Premiership win came to an end at the 15th time of asking with a narrow 2-1 victory at Dundee.

The Dons opened the scoring through Kevin Nisbet and extended their lead after the break with a goal-of-the-season contender from Topi Keskinen.

Seb Palmer-Houlden pulled one back for the hosts but Aberdeen held on to secure all three points.

Dundee made just one change to the starting line-up from last week’s Scottish Cup win over Airdrie with Mo Sylla being recalled in place of Seun Adewumi, who dropped to the bench.

Aberdeen kept faith with the same XI who defeated Dunfermline in the cup last Sunday but goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov returned from injury and was named as a substitute alongside Oday Dabbagh.

The hosts were the first to threaten in the sixth minute when Ziyad Larkeche slipped a pass to Simon Murray inside the Aberdeen box but the striker was falling as he hit his shot and it flew straight at Dons ‘keeper Ross Doohan, who easily gathered.

Larkeche then came close to opening the scoring himself when he let fly with a fierce drive that hit the side-netting.

In the 26th minute Aberdeen counter-attacked from inside their own half with the ball ending up with Keskinen but his shot was tame and was easily gathered by home ‘keeper Jon McCracken, who then had to look lively to tip over a deflected Ante Palaversa effort.

However, McCracken could not prevent Aberdeen from taking the lead just three minutes later. Jeppe Okkels found Kristers Tobers with a cross and although McCracken saved his initial shot, Nisbet was on hand to rifle home the rebound to give his side the lead.

The Dons extended their advantage in the 52nd minute with an absolute wonder goal. Keskinen drove forward before unleashing an unstoppable curling strike from 30 yards high past McCracken.

However, the Dark Blues stormed back into the contest just two minutes later when Mulligan crossed from the right with substitute Palmer-Houlden firing into the back of the net.

McCracken then came to the rescue for the home side in the 74th minute when he made a superb reaction stop to keep out a goalbound header from Tobers.

Deep in stoppage time there were shouts for a penalty from the home side after Murray tumbled in the box but referee Grant Irvine saw no offence with Aberdeen holding on to their precious three points.

What the managers said…

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin: “Everyone knows the run we’ve been on so of course I’m happy. It was so nice to get the three points.

“It was a really nice feeling, in the dressing room with the players and also with the supporters.

“I am going to enjoy it, you always have to celebrate the small victories within the season to get new energy.

“Then tomorrow we will focus again on the next game and build on the things that were good today.

“But of course you are happy because I know how hard everyone is working to get this win and also stay stable when it was difficult times.

“We didn’t get panicked or stressed. It was nice to take the three points and it was nice to celebrate the way we did at the end.

“Our supporters have been there in tough times and the players put a smile on their face. It was good to see them celebrate together after the game.”

Dundee boss Tony Docherty: “We are not giving ourselves the best opportunity to win football matches because we have been negligent.

“I have to say at the first goal, I am really disappointed in the officials because there was a tug absolutely on Antonio Portales. The fourth official actually called it out and said to the referee it was a foul.

“That being said, we have to take responsibility for our own part in that. There is someone unmarked at the back post in the second phase.

“We needed to make sure we did our job. That gave us a mountain to climb and then we lost the second goal.

“We got a goal back right away. It was a really good goal but that’s not the issue because we are sitting third in the league in terms of goals scored.

“We are just giving ourselves an uphill battle every match to try and win games.”

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