Dundee 0-1 Aberdeen
- Published
Highlights: Dundee 0-1 Aberdeen
Gary Mackay-Steven's penalty was enough to give Aberdeen all three points against Dundee at Dens Park.
Dundee's Josh Meekings failed to connect with a cross when he had the goal gaping, while Aberdeen's Bruce Anderson volleyed off the crossbar.
Genseric Kusunga conceded the spot-kick when Dominic Ball's header hit his arm, and Mackay-Steven sent Dundee goalkeeper Jack Hamilton the wrong way.
The hosts had chances and Adil Nabi forced a fine save from inside the box.
Neil McCann's side put plenty into the game, but it is two defeats out of two for them so far in the Premiership, while Aberdeen earned their first league win after last week's home draw with Rangers.
Aberdeen get the job done
It was not the prettiest of games, but Aberdeen probably just about deserved the win, if only because Dundee were guilty of missing three clear-cut chances.
Moussa and Jean Alassane Mendy were the men who saw glorious chances wasted.
The fine line between being happy at your team creating chances but failing to convert was definitely on show at Dens this afternoon. Just ask Dundee manager Neil McCann and the home support.
Aberdeen had their frustrations, too. They won the game, but with the creativity they possess there's an argument that they should be scoring more goals, or at least testing the opposition goalkeepers more.
Manager Derek McInnes says they hope to bring in a new player this week. There's been talk of a defender, but I wonder if a striker - a target man - would be more valuable.
Gary Mackay-Steven scored from the spot, his second successful penalty this season
'A sore one to take' - reaction
Dundee manager Neil McCann: "It's a sore one to take. In this match we had our opportunities to put ourselves in front, so we've only got ourselves to blame. The biggest disappointment for me is that I don't mind keepers making saves, but not to hit the target is poor. Aberdeen are a good side so you have to take those chances when they come along.
"Moussa's in the first half when he skies it over the bar then Mendy's, with some good play, when they don't hit the target from those opportunities - that's the frustrating part.
"It annoys you because you just want the boys to have a wee bit of composure, I cant give them composure. We haven't done that today, and we paid the price."
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "I thought we could have been brighter in the wider areas at times, but when you keep giving [Niall] McGinn and Gary MacKay-Steven enough of the ball we always feel something is going to happen for us.
"Although we're disappointed we haven't worked the goalkeeper more and it's clear where we need to improve, for me I felt there was belief in the team that the goal was coming. On the balance of play we probably deserved the three points.
"I want more people in the team to believe they can score and if we can get a bit more devilment, more determination and more intent to some of our play I think we will start to score more goals."