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Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin hails under-fire defence for responding to criticism with ‘brilliant’ display in Dundee United victory

Aberdeen captain Anthony Stewart in action against Dundee United at Pittodrie.
Aberdeen captain Anthony Stewart in action against Dundee United at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin hailed his under-fire defenders responding to recent criticism with a “brilliant” performance against Dundee United.

Goodwin reckons his back three of Anthony Stewart, Liam Scales and Ross McCrorie have suffered flack in recent weeks.

However he says they silenced critics by delivering  a clean sheet in the 1-0 win against Dundee United at Pittodrie.

The victory moves the Dons into third place going into the five-week Premiership break.

Striker Bojan Miovski grabbed the winning goal with a converted first half penalty.

However Goodwin reckons it is the lambasted defence who deserve the plaudits.

Aberdeen’s Anthony Stewart in action against Dundee United.

He said: “The back three have come in for criticism in recent weeks for the lack of clean sheets.

“For not defending the box, looking vulnerable at set plays.

“I don’t think that can be labelled at them against Dundee United.

“All the plaudits should go to Scales, Stewart and McCrorie.

“They kept Dundee United very quiet and defended the box brilliantly at any set pieces and crossed balls.

“Our attacking players have received many plaudits this season for their creativity and their attacking intent, particularly here at Pittodrie.

“But this was a different type of performance.

“It was one where we had to dig in, win our battles and grind out a result and we managed to do that.”

Aberdeen’s Liam Scales and Dundee United’s Jamie McGrath in action.

Surprise striker Duk didn’t score

Aberdeen go into the winter break for the World Cup in pole position in the race to finish third in the Premiership.

Goodwin’s Dons also have a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers in January to look forward to.

The New Firm derby win also secured payback for the Reds’ humiliating 4-0 loss away to Dundee United last month.

Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 against Dundee United.

Goodwin said: “I’m delighted with the end result as if you had offered me a scrappy 1-0 win before the game I would certainly have taken that.

“I thought in the first 45 minutes we were very good and dominated large periods of the game.

“We looked in complete control.

“We probably should have added to our lead just before half time as Duk had a really good chance one on one.

“Nine times out of 10 I would expect him to despatch that but unfortunately the lob he tried just goes by the post.”

Aberdeen’s Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes is fouled in the box by Dundee United keeper Mark Birighitti for a penalty.

‘We were happy to give up territory’

Aberdeen had to grind out the win in a tough, edgy clash against the Premiership’s bottom club.

The Reds will now jet out to the United States where they will spend next week at a training camp in Atlanta.

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin applauds fans during 1-0 defeat of Dundee United.

Goodwin said: “In the second half we were happy to give up a bit of territory.

“To allow Dundee United the possession in their half because we could see the pace they had on the pitch.

“We didn’t want to leave ourselves open which is something we have been criticised for in the past.

“Where we have been very open with lots of gaps.

“So we decided to sit off the game a little bit, give up a little of possession and see if Dundee United break us down.

“I’m glad to say for all the possession they had they never really caused us any problems.

“I can’t remember Kelle Roos having too much to deal with.

“He tipped one over the bar which was quite comfortable and Steven Fletcher had one at the back post from a really good Levitt cross.”

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