Luke McCowan’s penalty sent Dundee back into the cinch Premiership top six and left Aberdeen facing a battle against the drop.
McCowan’s fourth goal in six games – and his eighth overall this season – earned Tony Docherty’s side a deserved 1-0 win at Dens Park.
The midfielder netted in the 66th minute following a lengthy VAR check which ultimately saw Jack MacKenzie penalised for handball.
The home side had dominated the first half but some hesitancy in front of goal, good goalkeeping from Kelle Roos and some poor deliveries from corners kept the scores blank at half-time.
Aberdeen were led into the game by first-team coach Peter Leven, who was back in caretaker charge for the second time in six weeks following the end of Neil Warnock’s brief spell at the helm.
But the Dons have now gone 11 league games without victory and the defeat leaves them just three points clear of the danger zone following second-bottom Ross County’s stoppage-time equaliser against Hibernian, which allowed Dundee to jump above the Edinburgh side.
Any slim hopes of a top-six push vanished completely as results on the night left the Dons nine points behind Dundee with four games until the split.
They face another away game on Saturday, against Motherwell, before the anticipated appointment of a long-term successor to Barry Robson during the international break, although the visiting fans clearly had little faith in the decision-makers as they chanted “sack the board” in the closing minutes.
Dundee had Owen Dodgson back in the team after Owen Beck failed a fitness test while Leven named the same team that started in Warnock’s final game, a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock.
The home side were quickly on the front foot and Curtis Main should have converted the rebound after Roos parried Scott Tiffoney’s strike. The former Dons striker took a touch and the goalkeeper smothered.
A brilliant Dodgson cross was just too far in front of Main six yards out before Dundee had a penalty claim for handball when Connor Barron blocked Tiffoney’s shot. Referee Steven McLean delayed and then gave a free-kick to Aberdeen inside the box.
Dundee remained well on top. Roos bravely denied Lyall Cameron as the midfielder slid in to meet Main’s low cross and the Dutchman tipped over Dodgson’s long-range striker.
Angus MacDonald blocked well from Tiffoney and Cameron shot just wide as Dundee continued to probe.
Aberdeen looked slightly better at the start of the second half but they fell behind after initially surviving a free-kick into the box.
McLean kept the 8,215 crowd waiting even after going to his monitor but he eventually pointed to the spot and McCowan sent Roos the wrong way.
Cameron soon had a great chance to double the lead but he dragged a shot wide following Tiffoney’s square ball.
Dundee continued to create chances and Roos saved from Cameron and Main.
There was plenty of effort from the visitors but home goalkeeper Jon McCracken remained untested other than from aerial balls until he held two headers from substitute Ester Sokler in the closing stages.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Matheus Cunha WTH Noni Madueke keen on Arsenal move Alexia Putellas in Spain's 6-2 win over Belgium The USMNT's bid to reclaim the Gold Cup comes up short The BEST TEAM in Europe will face The KING of Europe! Thomas Muller has OFFICIALLY PLAYED his Last EVER Game for Bayern Munich.. 16 years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled in front of 80,000 fans at...
Newcastle agree £55m deal to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham ForestNewcastle United have reached a breakthrough in their pursuit of Anthony Elanga, agreeing a deal worth up to £55 million ($74.8m) with Nottingham Forest. The 23-year-old Sweden international, who starred in all 38 Premier League games last season, will sign a five-year contract and is set to undergo a medical ahead of...
Arsenal are looking to make a statement signing and are closing in on a deal for Rodrygo from Real Madrid.Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi have already arrived at the Emirates this summer, but Mikel Arteta is looking for more reinforcements as they look to take the final leap and win the Premier League or the Champions League.Those reinforcements are likely to be in the front line, with a st...
Liverpool star Luis Diaz is set to leave Anfield, with a switch to Bayern Munich now agreed.Nico Williams, Rafael Leao, Kaoru Mitoma and Bradley Barcloa have all been linked with a move to Bavaria, but none have yet materialised.Jamal Musiala's shocking injury in the Club World Cup quarter-final has forced Die Roten to accelerate a deal for attacking reinforcements, however, with attention turned ...
Real Madrid's Croatia captain Luka Modric will join AC Milan after the Club World Cup, the Serie A club's newly-appointed manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Monday.The move means the 39-year-old midfielder, who announced in May that he would be leaving Madrid after the Club World Cup, will bring his 13-year spell at the Spanish giants to a close."Modric will arrive in August. He is an extra...
Man United set Andre Onana asking priceMan United have reportedly set a 330 million asking price for incumbent goalkeeper Andre Onana after Ligue 1 side Monaco made an enquiry.Per the Daily Mail, Ruben Amorim’s side are looking for 330 million for the 29-year-old amid interest from Ligue 1 side Monaco.United’s asking price is understood to be a little too steep for the principality clu...
Joao Felix admits he wants Benfica returnChelsea forward Joao Felix has admitted that he wants to return to boyhood club Benfica in an attempt to regain some form following his disastrous move.The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis last summer but joined AC Milan on loan in January.0Milan decided against activating their option to buy Felix following a string of d...
Inter Miami open talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder De PaulInter Miami are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.The Argentina international had been linked with a return home during the past season.However, De Paul is now in line to join his national team captain Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is reporting: "Understand Inter Miami have now ...
Inter Milan wing-back Dumfries pushing for Man City moveInter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries is eager to hear from Manchester City.La Gazzetta dello Sport says City and Barcelona are interested in the Holland international.For the first two weeks of July, Dumfries can leave Inter for a set fee of €30m thanks to a clause in his current contract.And he has been in contact with super agent Jor...
'We are not the favourites' - Enzo Maresca plays down CWC title hopesChelsea manager Enzo Maresca insists that his side aren't favourites to win this year's FIFA Club World Cup as they prepare for their game with Fliminense.The Premier League giants will face off with the Brazilian side on Tuesday (July 8) with a place in the final on the line.Should they win, Chelsea will face one of current Euro...
- 1 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 2 Five players ask to leave Man Utd including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and Sancho
- 3 Ex-Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette finds new club! Striker set to complete move to Saudi Pro League side after Lyon exit
- 4 Diogo Jota's wife arrives at chapel where tragic star's coffin is taken
- 5 Garnacho reveals he intends to stay in the Premier League after Man Utd departure
- 6 Lionesses captain Leah Williamson strips down to her underwear
- 7 Man Utd make shock move to Calvert-Lewin
- 8 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner
- 9 Diogo Jota's family life with beautiful wife, cheeky sons, baby girl and dogs
- 10 Man Utd snubbed loan deal for Duran after his 3336k-a-week wages were revealed