Dundee | United leapfrog Aberdeen on final day

Dundee United 2 - 1 Aberdeen

Dundee United staged a dramatic comeback to secure European football and leapfrog Aberdeen in Scottish Premiership

Author - Peter Macmanys

Stadium - Tannadice Park

Dundee United completed a remarkable turnaround to defeat Aberdeen, leapfrogging their rivals into fourth place and sealing a return to European football in their first season back in the Scottish Premiership.

With just over 50 minutes played, United's hopes appeared slim. They trailed to a first-half goal from Jeppe Okkels, while news filtered through of St Mirren holding a surprise lead at Celtic Park. The Tannadice crowd was left facing the prospect of finishing sixth, surrendering what had been a nine-point advantage over St Mirren just five games earlier.

But Jim Goodwin’s side found renewed urgency and transformed their fortunes during a whirlwind seven-minute spell in the second half. Glenn Middleton delivered a pinpoint corner which Declan Gallagher headed home to draw United level. 

Moments later, top scorer Sam Dalby coolly converted from the spot after Ryan Strain was brought down by Okkels inside the box.

The dramatic swing in momentum energised the home support and saw Dundee United reclaim the European place that had seemed to be slipping from their grasp.

For Aberdeen, the outcome marked the end of a season in which they have let commanding positions slip against all of their closest challengers. 

Jimmy Thelin's side now finish fifth, although they still have a route to the Europa League play-off (and a guaranteed spot in the UEFA Conference League) if they can upset Celtic in next weekend’s Scottish Cup final.

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That, however, remains a tall order. The more probable scenario is a start in the Conference League qualifiers, a far cry from the ambitions Aberdeen held earlier in the campaign.

Their evening worsened further when substitute Jack MacKenzie was forced off with a head injury after being struck by an object thrown from the stands, adding a sour note to a disappointing end to their league season.