Aberdeen avenged their recent league defeat to Dundee with a convincing 3-0 win at Pittodrie, booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup. Kevin Nisbet scored twice and debutant Mitchy Ntelo added a third as the Dons made amends for their 2-0 loss at Dens Park the previous Saturday.
Clinical Dons Silence Critics
The win was in complete contrast to their defeat to Dundee in the league and silenced critics who had turned on manager Stephen Robinson after just one loss, despite six wins in other games. Robinson, who won this tournament with St Mirren last year, will want to retain it as Aberdeen manager.
There was no repeat of Dundee's best performance under Steven Pressley, who was left counting the cost of the defeat and fearing captain Simon Murray could be out long-term.
Olusanya Causes Havoc
Pressley stuck with the same team that started last time out, but the home side was hurting from their last encounter and keen to make amends on home soil. Afeez Aremu fired in a long-range shot that Owen Goodman held, before Toyosi Olusanya became a central figure of Aberdeen's attacking intent.
Olusanya had a shot from a tight angle blocked by Goodman, then caught Owen Bevan on the ball, won possession, and found Nisbet, who played it over the top for Olusanya to run clear. He charged into the box and threw himself to the ground beside Bevan, but it was never a penalty and referee Nick Walsh didn't entertain his appeal.
Bevan didn't heed that warning. Olusanya caught him on the ball again and raced clear, but this time Goodman charged off his line to block. The busy keeper also had to tip over a header from Nesta Guinness-Walker.
Dee Rocked by Murray Injury
Dundee captain Simon Murray had a great chance to put his team ahead when Charlie Reilly put in a ball over the top that Dan Happe misjudged. Murray got in behind but delayed, allowing Happe to get back and rescue the situation. Worse was to follow for Murray, as his knee gave way when he took a step back, leaving him crumpled on the pitch. The medical team immediately called for a stretcher, and he was replaced by Fin Robertson.
The injury looks serious and potentially long-term. Dundee are already without Ash Hay and will need to double their efforts to sign a striker or two.
Nisbet Leads by Example
Joe Bevan went down with a head knock, accidentally caught by Nesta Guinness-Walker, but was able to resume after treatment. Ryan Astley put him clear two minutes before the interval, but Muller came out to narrow the angle and make a fine block. Joe Westley then headed wide for Dundee, while Aremu forced Goodman into another stop at the end of stoppage time.
Bevan went down again with a head knock and had to go off for a minute, which proved costly as Aberdeen took the lead in the 51st minute. Tony Yogane's cross was headed down by Olusanya to Chris Cadden, whose shot was blocked. It fell to Olusanya, and although his shot was blocked by Goodman's legs, Nisbet clipped home the rebound.
Mitchy Magic
Olusanya produced a good spin to get away from his marker, with Cadden making a decoy run out wide. It allowed Olusanya to run on and pick out Ntelo inside the box, who turned and cracked a shot high past Goodman in the 57th minute. A fine first impression from the Belgian signed from Yverdon Sports last Saturday.
If that had looked a mountain too high for Dundee to climb, Aberdeen put them out of sight. Ntelo played his part as Yogane put in a low cross, which the striker dummied for the on-running Nisbet to fire high past Goodman. That was game over.
