Aberdeen put four past Dundee to go three clear

Aberdeen bounced back from their League Cup semi-final humbling to move ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a sizzling second-half showing at home to Dundee.

Ante Palaversa’s classy finish broke the deadlock at a sold-out Pittodrie, and within four minutes it was two when Topi Keskinen lashed the ball through the legs of Jon McCracken.

Dundee briefly rallied, and Simon Murray – who had a first-half penalty saved – glanced a header into the far corner.

However, their revival was doused just moments later when Vicente Besuijen – only on the pitch for just 42 seconds – raced onto a Kevin Nisbet through ball to finish.

And Nisbet added a late fourth himself, as his deflected shot evaded Jon McCracken.

Jimmy Thelin’s side – who suffered a first defeat of the campaign in losing 6-0 to Celtic in the League Cup semi-finals last weekend – were more like themselves as they extended their unbeaten league run to 11.

Dundee – the last team to beat Aberdeen in the league at Dens Park back in March – drop to seventh as their winless run at Pittodrie stretches to 16 games.

Dons rise off canvas after Hampden blow

Aberdeen suffered their first set-back of the season at Hampden as their unbeaten start came to a shuddering halt.

Despite their lofty position in the table, they still have frailties in defence which Celtic had exposed. And Dundee were keen to test their resolve after that chastening defeat.

However, with the Dons fans packing out Pittodrie for the fourth time in a row, a trip to the Granite City is much tougher these days. Eleven teams have now gone back down the A90 this season with nothing.

Aberdeen needed a Mitov penalty save – his second of the season – to keep them level after a first half where Aberdeen had been second best.

Gavin Molloy, who had been at fault when conceding a penalty at Dens Park earlier this season, was the fall guy again when he hauled down Murray in the box. This time his goalkeeper bailed him out.

However, the Dons have a knack of finding another gear after half-time, and they could have won by more with Duk heading off the bar among a string of chances.

Dundee punished for lack of knockout blow

In Dundee’s last two games they had found themselves having to pull back a two-goal deficit. The message from manager Tony Docherty was clearly to be on the front foot from the off.

Few inside Pittodrie could have argued had Dundee lead at the break. Oluweaseun Adewumi twice caused panic in the box while Seb Palmer-Houldon skidded a shot across goal.

However, for the second time against Aberdeen this season they were left to rue their finishing, none more so than Murray after his weak penalty was saved.

They had more than matched Aberdeen for 45 minutes, much like earlier in the season, but again couldn’t breach the Dons backline more than once.

Docherty’s men could not keep the tempo going after an encouraging first half and a more subdued Dundee were unable to post a first Pittodrie league win since 2004.

What the managers said

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: “I’m feeling good, especially for the character of the players and the identity we want to create here.

“[At half-time] we talked about adjusting small things and not panicking. I’m so happy with how we responded. The first 30 minutes of the second half was really strong, and the players who come into the pitch make an impact. They are so sharp.

“[The penalty save] was a really important situation. It’s the second time Dimitar Mitov has saved in the league, and this one is so crucial to keep us in the game.”

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: “I think it’s fact that we were the better side [in the first half]. If we come in 2-0, it’s an accurate reflection of the game.

“Bitterly disappointed with the nature, the manner of the goals. We lose three goals from set-plays.

“The third goal is beyond me. I’ve never seen that in all my years. We need to make sure we get better. We’ve been blighted all season by individual mistakes.

“Aberdeen didn’t need to do much to score goals or win the game today. To lose those goals in the manner we lost them was disappointing.

“There are positives within the performance, but the overriding thing is we’re here to win games of football.”