(Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group via Getty Images)
An Ian Harkes winner 10 minutes from time gave Dundee United all 3 points, beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the cinch Premiership, a game marred by 2 sending offs in a frantic three minute period.
Events began at an intense pace in the opening exchanges of the match, Aberdeen being relentless in their approach, Dylan McGeouch had a free-kick straight at Benjamin Siegrist before an audacious effort from Dons striker Christian Ramirez following United failing to clear a free-kick into their box and Ramirez tries to catch out goalkeeper Siegrist at the back post with a shot that went inches wide.
Kieran Freeman went in search of the opener for the opener on 28 minutes after Peter Pawlett pressured Jack MacKenzie into an error with the ball rolling to the left-back who burst forward and drilled a shot wide of the far left post.
Then, a period of madness transpired in this contest, Dundee United were reduced to 10 men on 42 minutes after Ramirez and United defender Ryan Edwards square up and Butcher intervenes, flicking a hand towards the striker’s privates. Referee Bobby Madden showed the midfielder a straight red.
When you couldn’t think of a calmer conclusion to the 1st half, Aberdeen midfielder Funso Ojo was controversially sent off as the first half came to a chaotic close.
The midfielder’s momentum took him towards the United fans behind the goal, where a supporter reached out and pushed him into the Eddie Thompson stand.
In the ensuing melee, Ojo receives a second yellow and heads angrily for the dressing room, a decision which left Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass berated at the interval, sprinting to Bobby Madden incensed at the decision. Following the infuriating comments from Glass, he was sent off by Madden in the tunnel.
The 2nd half had a more serene sequence to it, Aberdeen having an opportunity to break the deadlock, Jonny Hayes dug out a superb cutback down the left and midfielder Ryan Hedges, waiting at the front post, swung a leg at it before it went over the bar.
Dundee United took the lead with 10 minutes remaining, a Scott McMann corner evaded the ruck of players in the penalty area which dropped to the unmarked Ian Harkes who crashed home a 14-yard effort past Joe Lewis.
This was a game for the faint-hearted this, the game had a flowing presence to it tensions amplified once Calum Butcher was sent off followed by Funso Ojo, the latter controversial to say the least following a push from a Dundee United fan which left Ojo incensed. This ultimately led to Glass receiving marching orders as well, sprinting onto the pitch, infuriated by the events that just evolved.
It’s a big win for Dundee United, a game not dominated by chances but Harkes took his chance when it came along, a welcome return to winning ways for Tam Courts following defeats to St Johnstone and Hearts, both Courts and Glass have parallels between them and the United boss has definitely responded following the opening day defeat at Pittodrie.
Sitting in 4th position, level on points with Hearts and a comfortable 11 point gap over Aberdeen after this result.
Wins over Hearts and Hibs reignited Aberdeen’s season, two defeats on the bounce has to be a worry for Aberdeen fans though, the games aren’t easy though with Celtic away next weekend followed by Livingston at home which has proven to be tricky for Aberdeen in recent seasons.
Dundee United: Siegrist, Mulgrew, Edwards, Freeman, McMann, Butcher, Fuchs, Harkes, Pawlett, Niskanen, Clark.
Substitutes: Carson, Appere, Meekison, Biamou, Glass, Hoti, K Smith.
Aberdeen: Lewis, Gurr, MacKenzie, McCrorie, Brown, Ojo, Campbell, McGeouch, Watkins, Hedges, Ramirez.
Substitutes: Woods, McGinn, Emmanuel-Thomas, Hayes, Jenks, Samuels, Longstaff.
NTOF now offers a YouTube channel featuring exclusive interviews, post-match discussion, in-depth debate, and much more – LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and don’t miss any of our videos.