Aberdeen started the new year in ideal fashion, securing a welcome and overdue victory at Tannadice for the first time in four years to return to the top half of the table and rejoin the race for Europa League qualification.
Charlie Mulgrew’s composed finish after just 15 minutes, his fourth goal this season, proved to be just enough as the Dons halted a losing streak which had run to three matches.
Mark McGhee’s men were backed by a boisterous travelling support which had braved the treacherous snow-blighted A90, but his side had to earn the SPL points the hard way.
Aberdeen had pledged to clean up their act following six red cards this season. But, like most New Year resolutions, this one went out of the window less than 48 hours after the bells as Davide Grassi became ordering-off number seven for the term after a now-customary moment of madness.
The Italian lashed out after being barged by Andy Webster during a bout of free kick jostling to condemn his team-mates to a frantic, defensive final 25 minutes.
A stint of community service will ensue but, given that the red cards continue to mount, McGhee must be tempted to introduce public flogging in order to get his squad to behave.
Seven red cards to seven different players is not incompetent officialdom. It is rampant indiscipline and it threatens the Dons’ hopes of finishing in the upper reaches of the SPL this season.
But this victory, Aberdeen’s first at Tannadice since the 3-2 Scottish Cup win in January 2006, hoisted McGhee’s side into the top six and within seven points of fourth-placed United – and with a game in hand.
If Aberdeen remain unpredictable, the Tangerines, on the other hand, look a sorry bunch.
Craig Levein’s departure to take over the Scotland job has left a power – and points – vacuum. The 7-1 dismantling by Rangers in Christmas week has left the Arabs a jaded and shaken lot.
They allowed the Dons to seize the initiative from the off at a Tannadice where the surface was touch-and-go before it narrowly passed a 2pm pitch inspection.
The high tempo start was something of a surprise, given that the Dons were without a quintet of key first-team players in suspended Lee Miller, injured Sone Aluko, Maurice Ross, Gary McDonald and Zander Diamond.
There were welcome and influential returns, however, for Fraser Fyvie and Peter Pawlett, as well as an assured debut by former Manchester City midfielder Paul Marshall.
The 20-year-old Marshall was an impressive presence in Aberdeen’s five-man midfield, orchestrating the play, neatly retaining possession and stretching the hosts with incisive switches of play.
Marshall had a pivotal role in the goal, laying the ball off for Mulgrew to slide it into the bottom corner of the net after Webster had gifted possession to Mark Kerr.
The goal was deserved and the Dons looked comfortable, apart from the odd threatening moment. Mulgrew’s set-piece specials were dangerous as always and he forced Nicky Weaver into action twice from long range before half-time. Another free kick after the break was not far off.
United reappeared after the interval with more purpose, but with little penetration. They were aided in 64 minutes, however, when Grassi suffered a rush of blood to the head.
It seemed a fairly innocuous tussle with Webster but assistant referee James Bee, who also spotted Jerel Ifil’s red-card offence at Celtic Park last month, flagged and Grassi walked.
That instigator Webster did not join him was an understandable source of frustration for the Dons bench. United’s numerical superiority now hastened the charge towards Aberdeen’s goal.
The ineffectual Danny Cadamarteri was replaced by Jon Daly and the Irish attacker tested Jamie Langfield with a header and then spectacularly smashed a volley narrowly wide.
In between times, the Dons looked to finish the contest on the break.
Fyvie was halted and then Marshall’s deflected drive was saved by Weaver.
United continued to push, though, and almost grabbed a share. Webster rose uncontested to head off the base of the post before Garry Kenneth’s header thumped off the bar, but the Dons clung on for three precious points.
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