Aberdeen 4 - 1 Dundee United

The Norwegian responded to recent criticism in the ideal way with goals from either foot as well as a header. Despite United coming back into the game in the second half, Aberdeen never really looked like losing and Stavrum's third goal put the game beyond any doubt.

Aberdeen got off to the best possible start when after only five minutes STAVRUM opened the scoring. David Rowson played the ball through to the Norwegian, and he blasted the ball into the top right hand corner of the net giving the United keeper no chance. Derek Young had a chance to make it two minutes later, but he shot wide.

United came back into the game after only 11 minutes, when DANNY GRIFFIN stepped to take a free-kick, and blasted the ball through the Aberdeen wall to make it 1-1.

Rachid Belabed, who had picked up a leg knock following a bad challenge, was substituted in the 25th minute, unnecessarily receiving a yellow card when he continued to argue with the referee before he left the field.

In the 27th minute of the match, the Dons were awarded a free-kick just outside the United goal area. Robbie Winters took it, he found the head of STAVRUM who bulleted the ball into the United goal to make it 2-1 to Aberdeen.

Six minutes before the break, DEREK YOUNG found space to fire home and give the Dons a 3-1 half-time lead.

United almost pulled a goal back in the 67th minute, when Charlie Miller's effort hit the crossbar and bounced off the goal line. Despite his claims that the ball crossed the line, the referee rightly waved play on and Aberdeen breathed a sigh of relief.

With only seven minutes left, ARILD STAVRUM found himself one on one with United goalie Paul Gallagher following a sweet move started by David Rowson. The big striker calmly slotted it home to make it a final score of Aberdeen 4 Dundee United 1.