Aberdeen 3 - 1 Dundee United

For the first time this season Dons boss Craig Brown named an unchanged side for the first contest with Dundee United of the season and the one that rounded off the first round of Premier League games.

The game began at a frenetic pace and the Dons had to be alert as it was the visitors who started on the front foot. Good defending was required from striker Scott Vernon in the box when he scrambled away a dangerous looking ball into the Dons penalty area.

With United on top, it was David Gonzalez who was the first goalkeeper to be tested when Johnny Russell's superb left footed shot, had to be tipped over by the Columbian.

The Dons then began to get a foothold in the game and after some excellent play down the left in 9mins from Milsom and Foster, Willow Flood fouled Ricky Foster just outside the box. The resultant free kick was taken by Foster himself, but his shot was straight at Pernis.

The game was veering from end to end and the Dons won their first corner of the game in 14mins thanks to great combination play from Arnason and Jack down the right. From the resultant corner the Dons took the lead. Rory Fallon's header was well saved by Pernis but Arnason was on hand to fire the rebound into the net and send the home support into raptures.

Aberdeen then began to dominate the game, particularly in midfield, where again Arnason and Osborne were having fine games. There was a controversial decision on 28mins when Rob Milsom superbly battled his way into the United box, but under pressure from the United defence the Dons man was felled. Referee Willie Collum waived away the claims for the penalty from the Home fans but gave United a free kick.

Just a few moments later the Dons found themselves in the United penalty area again and should have gone 2-0 up but Rory Fallon failed to connect with a fantastic cross into the box and moments later Rob Milsom's low drive was saved comfortably by Pernis.

United were creating very little but following a period of possession, Danny Swanson was sent in behind the Aberdeen defence. When Swanson went down under the attention of two Dons defenders, the large travelling contingent were claiming a penalty but referee Collum again waived play on, to the relief of the home fans. Swanson however had to be replaced, Dalla Valle coming on in his place.

Up the other end though a Dons free kick caused chaos in the United defence once again and despite claims by United's Gary Kenneth of handball against Rory Fallon the ball bounced fortunately for the visitors and they scrambled the ball to safety.

The second half began at the same pulsating pace as the first and it took the Dons just six minutes to double their lead. Rory Fallon won a free kick from a challenge by Kenneth and it was Captain Foster who launched the kick into the box. Youl Mawene rose brilliantly above the defenders to head home and send the Dons into a comfortable 2-0 lead.

The home side continued to press for a third and Rob Milsom broke away from midfield but his low drive was well held by Pernis. An offside flag was then all that prevented Scott Vernon from adding a third in 55mins but the striker was just a bit too quick in moving ahead of the United defence.

Aberdeen's domination was confirmed on the hour mark when a chaotic scene inside the United penalty area was eventually broken up by Considine, who hammered the ball into the back of the net to the delight of the Red Army and despair of the travelling support, some of whom left at this point.

And, it could have got much worse for their team just a few moments later when another Arnason long throw was flicked on by Fallon but Pernis collected the ball comfortably while Fyvie's goal-bound shot was blocked unwittingly by Scott Vernon and United cleared once again.

Fraser Fyvie was then at the centre of the action when Dundee United did eventually manage a spell of possession. Dalla Valle found himself through the Dons defence but youngster Fyvie made a sublime tackle to pinch the ball off the on loan striker's foot and allowed the Dons to clear the ball to safety.

Good possession play from the Dons again resulted in Kari Arnason having a shot at goal but it was just wide of Pernis' goal.

Moments later, David Gonzales had to look sharp to turn a low, rasping shot round the post from John Rankin. Craig Brown then made his first substitutions; Fraser Fyvie and Rory Fallon were replaced by Chris Clark and Josh Magennis respectively.

On 78mins United got themselves a goal back when an excellent run by Stuart Armstrong found Dalla Valle who slotted the ball past Gonzalez at the back post.

A free kick from Paul Dixon went close to giving United a second goal in the game but fortunately for Aberdeen went wide of the post, a touch from any attacker would surely have sent the ball past Gonzalez.

The Dons then tried to take the sting out of the game and did so successfully. Darren Mackie then replaced Scott Vernon up front but it was Josh Magennis who went on a run down the left flank that resulted in Willo Flood playing the ball out for a corner.Referee Collum blew for full time and the Dons players and fans celebrated a second win on the bounce following another impressive performance.