Ambrose’s Late Strike Sends Aberdeen Three Points Clear in Premiership Showdown
Peter Ambrose pushed Aberdeen further ahead in the Scottish Premiership with a crucial late goal that secured a hard-fought win over Dundee United, taking the Dons three points clear at the top. Aberdeen appeared on course to drop their first points at Pittodrie this season after Ester Sokler’s powerful header was denied by an outstanding save from Dundee United’s Jack Walton. However, with just six minutes left, substitute Ambrose found the back of the net, firing past Walton to claim the win. Jimmy Thelin’s undefeated Aberdeen now lead reigning champions Celtic and stand a commanding nine points clear of Wednesday’s opponents, Rangers. Meanwhile, Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United remain a point adrift of Rangers. Sunday sees Celtic head to Motherwell, while Rangers welcome St Mirren. Aberdeen controlled much of the game’s territory and possession, but Dundee United’s resilient defence restricted them to only a few close chances in the first half, including Ante Palaversa’s drive that whistled just wide. In a bid to break through, Thelin introduced Shayden Morris at half-time. Morris added urgency, delivering a cross that Walton pushed away, although Aberdeen still lacked a finishing touch. Jamie McGrath’s low shot from distance forced Walton into another awkward save, while Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes tested the keeper at his near post, but United’s defence held firm, limiting Aberdeen’s attacking opportunities. Morris continued to cause trouble on the right wing, with a deflected cross falling to Sokler only for Walton’s reflexes to keep the ball out. When Ambrose replaced Duk, he seized the moment. A precise deep cross from Gavin Molloy was nodded back across goal by Nicky Devlin, and Ambrose’s emphatic finish put Aberdeen ahead. A potential penalty for Aberdeen was dismissed by VAR after Ambrose was judged offside before being tripped in the box. Dundee United had a late chance to equalise, but Will Ferry couldn’t keep his shot down from Glenn Middleton’s low cross. Super Subs Boost Thelin’s Aberdeen With an 18-game unbeaten run stretching back to March, Aberdeen are thriving, particularly with their habit of clinching victories in the dying moments, as shown in their recent wins over Queen’s Park, Ross County, Hearts, and now Dundee United. Thelin’s changes in the second half have been pivotal, with Morris’s introduction adding pace and Ambrose’s entry offering a fresh attacking threat. Aberdeen’s upcoming fixtures will be decisive as they face Rangers midweek in the league and then Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final on Saturday at Hampden. United’s Defensive Effort Falls Short Dundee United, in their return season to the Premiership, have shown impressive composure against top-tier sides, taking advantage of mixed starts by clubs like Hibernian and Hearts. Goodwin’s team defended resolutely for much of the game, though Aberdeen’s second-half changes pushed them deeper and limited their chances. Missed opportunities on set-pieces and long throw-ins, including a second-half header from Kevin Holt, highlighted their struggle to break down Aberdeen’s defence. Up next, Dundee United host Motherwell at Tannadice on Wednesday evening, aiming to regain momentum. Stats Aberdeen dominated possession with 70.1% compared to Dundee United’s 29.9%, registering 12 shots to United’s 8, including 5 on target, while United failed to hit the target. Aberdeen also led in aerial duels (23 to 16) and corners (8 to 2), while Dundee United’s defence was tested with 5 saves and 18 fouls, holding Aberdeen to a narrow win despite having only 21 touches in the box to Aberdeen’s 29.
Ross County Stage First Comeback of Season to Beat 10-Man Kilmarnock 2-1
Ross County came back from behind for the first time this season as they prevailed 2-1 over ten men Kilmarnock in Dingwall this afternoon. Despite going in front from Corey Ndaba’s fine strike, Killie were reduced to ten men and punished with goals from Jordan Wright and a Joe Wright own goal secured County all three points. County kicked off for what was a torrid affair through the first thirty minutes. Neither side was able to create many chances as both teams struggled to control the midfield. Danny Armstrong and Matt Kennedy were bright sparks for the visitors as they looked to get down the sides of the County backline. They offered Watkins and Vassell plenty of balls into the box, but Laidlaw would claim them all comfortably. The game then burst into life midway through the first half as Killie began to step it up a gear. They had a dangerous cross whipped in by Armstrong and was met with Marley Watkins, but, leaning back, he was unable to connect properly, and his effort went wide of the post. It was then the host’s turn to try their luck at goal. Noah Chilvers picked up the ball just to the left of the Killie box. His effort was dipping towards goal, but Ross McCrorie made a fantastic diving save to keep the game level. Stuart Findlay would almost score the goal of his life moments later, he picked the ball up midway into the County half and drove forward, skipping past three County defenders. A 1-2 on the edge of the box was played back to him. He’d then cut onto his right foot and shot well into the left-hand corner, but Ross Laidlaw was down with a big left hand to deny him the glory. The Killie pressure finally told, however, as on the 39-minute mark, a throw-in wasn’t dealt with by the Staggies’ defence. Corey Ndaba made a darting run to the loose ball and hit a sweetly struck shot low and hard into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead. County almost had the equaliser seconds before the half-time whistle; Chilvers again found himself 20 yards from goal; his strike was driven low, but it was straight at McCrorie, who collected it to put Kilmarnock ahead at the break. The second half looked like the pattern of the game would be very much the same as the first, with Kilmarnock looking the sharper of the two. That would all change, though, as just on the hour mark, the visitors would be reduced to ten men after Liam Donnelly picked up to quick yellows. Already in the book for kicking the ball away, he then committed a cynical foul less than ten minutes later, giving Matthew MacDermid no option but to dismiss the midfielder. The Staggies immediately punished Killie with a free kick. Chilver’s ball into the area was met with an Akil Wright shot being blocked, but Jordan Wright was on hand to fire it into the goal to draw County level. The red card had well and truly turned the game on its head, and County were firmly in the ascendancy now. Manager Don Cowie rolled the dice and made the attacking change, bringing on Alex Samuel in place of defender Ryan Leak as County pushed for the winner. Derek McInnes had attempted to shore things up, making numerous defensive changes, including taking off captain Kyle Vassell as Killie tried to withstand the County pressure. It was to no avail, though, as County deservedly took the lead with ten minutes from time. A deep corner from the left side deflected off the thigh of Joe Wright and skipped off the surface into the goal, leaving McCrorie with no chance. Kilmarnock did bring on Bruce Anderson to chase an equaliser in the closing minutes, but County stood firm to secure their first win since September. A late red card almost compounded the misery onto McInnes, but the VAR overturned it, deeming Joe Wright’s foul only worthy of a yellow. Don Cowie was full of praise for his side’s reaction to going behind: “It was about being calm at half-time and then looking to create a bit more of a threat.” “The sending off has a big bearing on it, but we earned the sending off through Chilvers showing that bravery and conviction.” When questioned on how important Countys home form is, he told SPFL News Now: “It is important in giving you that platform and base to work from, but you can’t be reliant on it, and you need those away points, and it is something we are striving to do.” Speaking to the media after the game, Derek McInnes was left feeling frustrated with a combination of his side and the decisions that went against them: “I thought in the main we dealt with the directness of Wright and Hale buzzing about him.” “But we lose the game through a combination of our own efforts and a couple of harsh decisions on us have had an impact on the game. And we’re scratching our head on how we’ve managed to lose a game where we’ve been so dominant.” He added: “The only game we’ve had when we’ve not been down to ten men was the result at St Mirren. So, I do think that frustration is partly caused by ourselves.” Ross County are back at home on Wednesday as they entertain Hibernian, whilst Kilmarnock goes to Tynecastle to face Hearts.
Dundee 1-2 St Johnstone: Nicky Clark’s Late Strike Secures Victory
Dundee initially took control in this tight Premiership clash, with captain Simon Murray seizing on a defensive lapse to open the scoring in the first half. However, a resurgent St Johnstone turned the tide after the break, with substitute Graham Carey drawing the sides level before a late, dramatic winner from Nicky Clark secured all three points for the Saints. Dundee, who made just one change from their previous win at Fir Park by replacing the injured Scott Fraser with the returning Mo Sylla, appeared confident in the early stages. A long clearance from goalkeeper Trevor Carson set up the first goal as Murray capitalised on defensive hesitation to lob the ball over St Johnstone’s Ross Sinclair before heading into an empty net. Moments later, the hosts nearly doubled their lead. Ziyad Larkeche struck a well-placed shot, but Sinclair responded swiftly, blocking the attempt with his feet. St Johnstone soon countered, with Jason Holt launching a powerful effort from distance in the 23rd minute, only to watch it skim just wide of Carson’s right post. In the 35th minute, the Saints found another opening when Dundee’s mistake gifted Adama Sidibeh a one-on-one with Carson, though the Dundee keeper was quick to shut down the threat. As the second half kicked off, St Johnstone took the initiative, nearly equalising through Benjamin Kimpioka’s header, which Carson deflected with a superb save. Moments later, Matt Smith missed a prime opportunity, heading wide of the post. However, St Johnstone’s persistent attacks paid off in the 64th minute when Carey unleashed a low, curling shot from 20 yards, beating Carson and levelling the score. Dundee sought to regain the lead, with Lyall Cameron finding substitute Scott Tiffoney, but his shot posed little threat as Sinclair gathered it comfortably. The Saints pressed on, and in the dying moments, they finally found the breakthrough. Carey’s corner was headed toward goal by Lewis Neilson, and Clark managed to steer the ball home from close range. A lengthy VAR review followed, with referee Kevin Clancy consulting the pitchside monitor. Clancy then brought both managers together to explain his decision before awarding the goal, prompting ecstatic celebrations among the travelling Saints supporters. New Saints manager Simo Valakari, recently cleared to join the touchline after his work permit was finalised, celebrated his side’s resilient comeback. The evenly matched contest saw Dundee initially break the deadlock in the 12th minute, but St Johnstone’s determination ultimately proved decisive, with Clark’s last-gasp winner securing a memorable victory for the Perth side. Dundee: Carson, Ingram (Adewumi 69’), C. Robertson, Astley, Main (Palmer-Houlden 69’), Cameron (Mulligan 82’), Murray, F. Robertson, Koumetio, Larkeche (Tiffoney 69’), Sylla (Braybrooke 45’) Unused Substitutes: McCracken (GK), Sharp (GK), Portales, Vetro Booked: Ingram, Main, Cameron Scorer: Murray (12) St Johnstone: Sinclair, Raymond (Cameron 58’), Sanders, Neilson, Holt, Clark, Wright, Sidibeh (Kirk 88’), Smith (Carey 58’), Sprangler, Kimpioka Unused Substitutes: Rae (GK), Essel, Kucheriavyi, McPake, Keltjens, Franczak Booked: Sprangler, Neilson Scorers: Carey (64’), Clark (90’) Referee: Kevin Clancy VAR: Nick Walsh Attendance: 6,548
Ross County v Kilmarnock: Team News
Ross County make five changes to the team that lost to St Johnstone last Saturday. Elijah Campbell and Charlie Telfer miss out entirely through suspension whilst Scott Allardice, Michee Efete, Eamon Brophy and Josh Nisbet drop to the bench. Manager Don Cowie has looked to James Brown to cover the suspended Campbell in defence and has brought in the likes of Aiden Denholm, Josh Reid, Noah Chilvers and Jordan White into the side. Kilmarnock are unchanged from the team who toppled Rangers in last weeks 1-0 victory. Goal scorer Marley Watkins leads the line as the club’s top scorer alongside captain Kyle Vassell. There’s a highland connection in the Kilmarnock team as Robbie Deas and Watkins are both former Inverness players who would love to get one over on their former rivals.
Dundee vs St Johnstone: Team News
Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla is set to rejoin the squad following his suspension, while the fitness of defender Jordan McGhee and midfielder Scott Fraser remains under assessment. Centre-back Joe Shaughnessy is steadily advancing in his recovery from a significant knee injury. Meanwhile, Croatian centre-back Bozo Mikulic, who recently departed Partizan Tirana, is awaiting a work permit to finalise his transfer to St Johnstone. The visiting side will continue to miss Cammy MacPherson, Uche Ikpeazu, and Sam McClelland.