Aberdeen regained momentum in the Scottish Premiership, moving above Celtic after a powerful second-half display at Pittodrie, rebounding impressively from their League Cup semi-final setback against Dundee.

Ante Palaversa opened the scoring with a composed finish, and just minutes later, Topi Keskinen doubled the lead, slipping the ball past Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken.

Although Dundee fought back briefly, with Simon Murray heading home after an earlier missed penalty, Aberdeen quickly reasserted control. Substitute Vicente Besuijen, just seconds after coming on, latched onto Kevin Nisbet’s pass and restored Aberdeen’s two-goal cushion, with Nisbet himself adding a fourth via a deflected strike.

Manager Jimmy Thelin praised his side’s character and composure, particularly in the strong opening of the second half. “We adjusted at half-time, focusing on staying calm,” he said. “I’m thrilled with the players’ response and the impact of our substitutes.”

Dundee’s head coach Tony Docherty felt his side had been the better team in the first half and rued their missed chances and set-piece goals conceded. “It’s disappointing how we let those goals in,” Docherty commented. “Aberdeen didn’t have to do much to score, and we need to eliminate individual mistakes.”

Despite a competitive first half and strong initial efforts from Dundee’s Oluweaseun Adewumi and Seb Palmer-Houldon, they couldn’t sustain the pressure or secure a first league victory at Pittodrie since 2004.

Full time score Aberdeen 4-1 Dundee

Attendance: 19,274