Single-goal defeats United

Dundee United suffered a first league defeat in five games following Calvin Zola’s second-half winner for Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Manager Jackie McNamara included midfielder Morgaro Gomis on the bench following his recent return to the club while former United schemer Willo Flood started for their opponents. Ex-Tannadice duo Barry Robson and Nicky Weaver were both amongst their substitutes.

The visitors began well with David Goodwillie dubiously adjudged offside when being sent clear. Midfielders John Rankin and Stuart Armstrong were soon both wide until Jonny Hayes’ fierce effort finally called Radoslaw Cierzniak into action.

Home striker Niall McGinn then nearly took advantage of a Ryan Jack free-kick and Keith Watson was acrobatically wide at the other end.

But it was the Dons forging ahead early in the second-half when Peter Pawlett combined with McGinn to allow Zola a routine finish for only his second goal of the campaign.

That stung their opponents with Armstrong and Nadir Ciftci both wide before goalkeeper Jamie Langfield chased out to counter the threat of Goodwillie as the visitors continued to search for an equaliser.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Shaughnessy (Robson 65), Reynolds, Flood, Anderson, Considine, Hayes, Jack (Hector 80), Zola (Vernon 77), McGinn, Pawlett

subs (unused): Smith, Wylde, Low, Weaver

Goals: Zola (54)

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Gunning, Robertson, Paton, Rankin, Armstrong (Graham 74), Gauld (Mackay-Steven 56), Goodwillie (Dow 80), Ciftci

subs (unused): Butcher, Wilson, Gomis, McCallum

Ref: B. Madden

Att: 12,654