Dundee United

Sam Dalby is backed to be the Scottish Premiership's top scorer this season by Dundee United team-mate Glenn Middleton. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Dundee United were cruising at Pittodrie, but a double from Kevin Nisbet meant they left Aberdeen with just a point.

However, I still have a representative from Jim Goodwin's side in my team.

Ross Graham defended stoutly and assertively for the most part.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Pittodrie

Image source, SNS

Sam Dalby insists Dundee United are "still in the mix" to finish in a European spot, despite squandering a two-goal lead against fellow hopefuls, Aberdeen.

United soared into a first-half 2-0 lead at Pittodrie, but Jim Goodwin's side blew it, having to settle for a point in the north-east.

The result means they remain fifth in the table, two points behind third-placed Hibernian, following their Edinburgh derby victory, and just one behind the Dons.

However, on-loan Wrexham striker Dalby says there's no reason United still can't finish as high as third.

"We are still in the mix and that is the most important thing," the 25-year-old said. "They [Aberdeen] haven't extended the gap on us.

"They're a good side and we tired a little bit towards the end but we will take the point at the end of the day."

As has often been the case this season, Dalby contributed to the draw, netting his 13th Premiership goal of the campaign.

He leads the league charts, so, what's the secret to his success?

"I would say my own mindset and trying to get in the box and attack things as much as possible," he added.

"I would probably say past seasons I have come to the ball a bit too much, rather than trying stay in the six yard box and get on the end of things.

"I came here because I wanted to play games and get a good season under my belt and obviously the gaffer has trusted me to play since I have been here, so I am thankful for that."

We asked for your views after Dundee United squandered a two-goal lead against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Chris: It's been a tough week with two disappointing results (points dropped from potential winning opportunities), however achieving third place is well within our grasp. Jim Goodwin and the boys can get over the line but nothing less than 100% effort and focus is required for remaining games!

Kieran: Architects of our downfall. First half was up there as one of the best of the season. Second half the team was non-existent. We have should gone in for the kill for a third goal.

If Aberdeen were more sharp in the box, this game could well have been lost. Massive game in two weeks at home. Three points is a must, anything less and top six could be out of reach.

Roger: The second half performance from United was pathetic and we got what we deserved. You can't sit back and accept that amount of pressure without it eventually telling. The inevitable happened and Aberdeen deserved at least a point. Goodwin did nothing to stop the momentum either. Really, really poor show guys.

Derek: We are dreadful at keeping the ball, punted it back to Aberdeen and invited them to come at us. Sadly we cannot defend for a whole half using that tactic. Another two points dropped.

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen have scored in each of their last four games in the Premiership, scoring six goals in that run.

• Kevin Nisbet has now scored five goals in nine appearances in the Premiership against Dundee United.

• Dundee United have lost 18 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (20) have lost more.

• Samuel Dalby has scored 13 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Jim Goodwin is hopeful pivotal defender Will Ferry will be back in contention for Dundee United's derby against Dundee - but the extent of Declan Gallagher's injury will only become apparent in the coming days. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Kevin Nisbet struck in stoppage time as Aberdeen came from 2-0 down to earn a point at home to Dundee United.

Nisbet has struggled at times during his loan from Millwall but his first fine effort set up a grandstand finish, and his fourth goal in five games ensured the points were shared.

What did you make of that, Dundee United fans? Was a point a fair reflection?

Who impressed you? What did you make of the change of shape?

Let us know your thoughts., external

Image source, SNS

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "More often than not, away from home in this league, a point is usually a good result and a positive one.

"But when you're two goals up, to concede as late on as we did, it does feel a little bit like a defeat.

"First half we were really good, our shape was excellent, we pressed Aberdeen high up the pitch. We were excellent on the transitions and on the counter attack we got into dangerous areas.

"We worked two very good set plays. Especially the first one, it couldn't have panned out any better. We couldn't have been any happier at half time.

"Credit to Jimmy Thelin, he made positive changes going into the second half. They had to gamble at that point. They had so many attacking players on the park that eventually penned us back. We couldn't get up the pitch.

"The three games in the space of eight days took its toll on the players in the end. That's what has cost us in the end."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

After stepping up from the Championship, United's impact in the top flight continues to be one of Scottish football's great success stories.

But with defying the odds, perhaps comes a change in expectations.

Having spent so long challenging at the top end of the table, a campaign that begin with survival as their main objective has evolved into one with loftier goals.

But United are stumbling, with only two wins from their past nine league outings, and this draw may sting like a defeat.

There is never a good time to have a wobble, but with the business end of the season now fast approaching, this appears a particularly bad time for them to slide off the victory trail.

United are far from out of the race to finish third but if they are to keep themselves in the mix, they are going to need to find a way of consistently delivering wins again – and soon.

Image source, SNS

Ross Graham. United reverted to a back-four today and for large parts, they looked better for it. Graham could have been rocked by the loss of his partner Declan Gallagher but he fronted up when the veteran went off injured.

His 22 clearances were a match high and he looked solid until the very end.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United defender Emmanuel Adegboyega says he "couldn't sleep properly" after their VAR controversy in Wednesday's 3-1 defeat by Hibernian at Tannadice.

United thought Sam Dalby had put them 2-1 up in the second half, but following a lengthy VAR intervention, the goal was chalked off as the striker was judged to have headed the ball onto his own arm before it flew in to the net.

"I still am (seething) because I don't think I could sleep properly after a decision like that," said the Irishman.

"I felt it was honestly a robbery in my opinion so there is a bit of frustration through the camp.

"I just don't agree with it (VAR) at all. What happened on Wednesday was the nail in the coffin for myself.

"As of right now, it might not be fit for purpose, I think it demonstrated on Wednesday that aspect of VAR in my opinion.

"I don't know if it needs to get changed or if it needs to get binned, I am kind of in the middle of both, but I think a change will have to come in first before a decision to bin it."

The result meant United – who are now fifth – missed the chance to go above Sunday's opponents Aberdeen into third.

Adegboyega was asked if they can channel their frustration from midweek for this weekend's visit to Pittodrie.

"I think we have to let it go because Sunday is a whole different game, whole different opposition," he answered.

"The frustration we felt on the Wednesday, we felt on the Thursday, and currently some of us are still feeling it today, but once Sunday hits it's a new ball game, new team, so we have to change focus and focus on Aberdeen.'

"We have obviously been playing quite well so I think it's just to improve on some aspects in terms of our mistakes and also just to hopefully get the result in the end."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen defender Kristers Tobers will be assessed. Ester Sokler (hamstring), Dante Polvara (leg) and Jack Milne (ankle) are back training while Vicente Besuijen (knee), Jamie McGrath, Gavin Molloy (both shoulder) remain out.

Ross Docherty (thigh) and Louis Moult (calf) are still missing for Dundee United. Will Ferry limped off along with Luca Stephenson against Hibernian on Wednesday night and will be assessed.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership trip to Aberdeen.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• On his criticism of the VAR decision to overturn Sam Dalby's goal in the midweek loss to Hibs, Goodwin says "I stand by everything I said" and adds: "There isn't a conclusive angle that shows there was any handball".

• The United boss had a "productive" meeting with Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum on Thursday.

• While he didn't want to go into detail, Goodwin did say he told Collum the decision went against Ifab rules, adding: "I think from the audio and from the video angles that we have seen there is no suggestion of a handball."

• Goodwin hopes the decision doesn't prove too costly for his side, who are now fifth in the table, and says a third-place finish "could be worth millions of pounds in prize money".

• He is still a big supporter of VAR if the technology is used properly and says instances like the Dalby one could perhaps be avoided if Scottish football implemented the top-level VAR package.

• United "have to" channel their frustration into Sunday's game against the third-place Dons.

• Goodwin knows it is going to be a "difficult game" at Pittodrie and is well aware there are still points to accumulate to secure top-six status.

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen have only lost one of their past 15 home league games against Dundee United (W8 D6), and are unbeaten in their past seven (W5 D2) since a 3-0 reverse in August 2014.

• After their 1-0 win in December, United could enjoy back-to-back league victories over Aberdeen for the first time since November 2008 under Craig Levein.

• Since Christmas, no side has lost more games (eight) or scored fewer goals (five) in the Scottish Premiership than Aberdeen.

• United have lost their past two away league games by an aggregate score of 4-0; not since January 2021 have they suffered three successive away defeats without scoring in the Scottish Premiership.

• After their 3-1 defeat to Hibernian last time out, United have lost 16 points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season, with only Dundee (20) and Hibernian (18) dropping more. Conversely, only Hibs (13) and Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more points from losing positions in the division this term than the Tangerines (11).

United fans, we asked for your opinions on the 3-1 loss to Hibernian in which Sam Dalby had a goal ruled out for a contentious handball.

Here's what some of you said:

Jamie: The worst officiating I have seen in 30 years of watching football at Tannadice. A clear goal disallowed after almost five minutes of VAR desperately trying to find a handball that only they seem to be able to see. Time for United to take a stand and walk off the pitch.

Andrew: What is the point of VAR? Wasn't it supposed to be for clear and obvious errors? The on-pitch referees are as poor as the off-pitch ones. Fouls not given, corners not given. Time taken for VAR decisions far too long and players cool down and more prone to injuries. Nobody in ground knows what goes on. It's a disgrace.

Colum: The concern isn't the United performance, but the sub-standard officiating again. There is nothing for VAR to check for the Dalby goal.

Stephen: That referee and his team absolutely ruined that game. United were well on top and when Dalby scored were rightly 2-1 up. Then it felt like the officials were trying everything they could to chop it off and there are videos showing it's clearly a good goal. We've been done by incompetence.

Dave: Absolute disgrace. No one apart from the VAR assistants can see Dalby's 'handball'. That decision will now likely define our season. Goodwin has also upset our momentum with the January signings, none of whom have contributed much at all. Frustrating.

Kieran: Overall the team put in a great shift, Will Ferry and Ryan Strain looked dangerous most of the game whipping in cross after cross on the flank. Subs left a lot to be desired, no Glenn Middleton or Kristijan Trapanovski to give us more pace and width late in the game. Don't get me started on the officials, the antiques expert David Dickinson could have refereed this game better.

Image source, SNS

• Hibs are undefeated in their last 12 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 31 January 2018 to 5 May 2018.

• Nectarios Triantis has assisted five goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibs player.

• Ross Graham scored his third goal in the Premiership this season, a new career high in a single edition of the tournament. The Dundee United defender has now scored two goals in two league appearances against Hibs.

• Hibs have beaten Dundee United for the first time in the Premiership since 26 December 2021, a run of six games without a win.

• Hibs have won 13 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• Dundee United have lost 16 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (20) and Hibs (18) have lost more.

Watch the best of the action as Hibernian come from behind to win at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

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