Aberdeen beat Dundee United as Jim Goodwin's first game ends in defeat

Jim Goodwin’s first game as Dundee United manager has ended in defeat to his former club Aberdeen on Saturday night.

The Dons ran out 3-1 winners with all four goals coming in the second half at Tannadice.

Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes opened the scoring and United pulled one back from a penalty before two quick fire goals from Ross McCrorie and Marley Watkins secured the win that leaves the home side routed to the bottom of the table.

United went into the game four points adrift at the bottom of the table, but had a chance to go within a single point of Kilmarnock and Ross County who both lost earlier on Saturday.

But it was Aberdeen who got the win, which was their first away from home in 10 games at the late kick-off on Saturday.

Much was made in the build up about Goodwin’s first United game being against his former-club, but despite a bit of a hectic start the first half passed pretty much without incident.

The second half was around ten minutes old when Aberdeen broke the deadlock through Duk as the away support erupted into a chorus of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” aimed towards their former gaffer.

Dundee United had themselves back on level terms when Jamie McGrath stepped up and made it 1-1 from the penalty spot.

But the visitors were back in front with just over ten minutes to go after brilliant play from Leighton Clarkson who then put it on a plate for Ross McCrorie who smashed it into the net for his fifth goal of the season.

And Watkins sealed the victory just minutes late when he curled the ball past Birighitti to make it 3-1.

It’s now three wins in the last four games for Aberdeen under caretaker manager Barry Robson who took over from Goodwin in January.