Dundee Utd 0-2 Aberdeen: Dons worthy winners, says McInnes

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes felt the Dons were worth winners over Dundee United.

United lost their first game at Tannadice since May, with Adam Rooney netting both of Aberdeen's goals and taking his season's tally to 17.

The Pittodrie side and the Tangerines are now level on 31 points in the Scottish Premiership.

Rooney's first came from a goalkeeping error by United's Radoslaw Cierzniak.

"We had a very strong start to the game, really imposing ourselves with and without the ball," said McInnes.

"We got two goals and probably could've had a couple more. In the second half, we never needed it to be eventful, we just needed to manage it. I thought we did that and still had chances with Pawlett and Goodwillie and Rooney. Overall I thought we were worthy winners, it was always going to take a strong performance to beat a good team.

Aberdeen left Tannadice with all three points

"There are players within that back four who are getting better and better with each game. United got in once in the first half but other than that we were pretty water-tight. It's not very often United fail to score.

"We're just trying to get that consistency of results. Today, we're pleased to beat a good team and I thought we did it with a bit to spare and with a bit of confidence. The fans helped us at key points in the game and we send them home happy. We know who we're representing and the players always remember who they're playing for."

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara admitted the Dons "deserved the victory".

"We made it hard for ourselves with the goals we lost," he explained. "The first, a free header and Rado's spilled it. Then we lost a sloppy second and Aberdeen had their tails up.

"Disappointed, because our home record's been excellent. It's our first defeat at home and it tightens things up at the top.

"We didn't handle Adam Rooney very well in the first half but in the second half we did, when Callum Morris came on."