Manager Jimmy Thelin lauded Aberdeen for “behaving like a very strong team” after they held their nerve amid the tension to defeat Dundee United 1-0 and move three points clear at the top of the William Hill Premiership.
Substitute Peter Ambrose scored the only goal in the 84th minute as the Dons stole a march on rivals Celtic, who visit Motherwell on Sunday.
The Dons are now unbeaten in 15 games – 14 of which have been victories – in all competitions this season and Thelin was delighted with the way his players delivered for an expectant home support at a sold-out Pittodrie.
“It was good to see the players stay calm and not stress,” he said.
“The energy that was coming from the supporters helped us keep believing and try to push for a winning goal and also defend well at the end.
“We just kept running and behaved like a very strong team, which was nice.
“There is a strong team spirit, you saw that with the way they celebrated at the end. I hope everyone enjoyed it.”
Thelin refused to let himself get carried away by the fact his side moved top of the league.
“I don’t think anything about that at all, actually, because it’s still early,” he stressed.
“We want to enjoy today and then focus on the next game tomorrow. Today it’s just about enjoying the three points.
“You can ask me the same question after the last part of May maybe but not now.”
Thelin was pleased to see Nigerian forward Ambrose notch his second goal of the season within two minutes of entering the fray.
“If you saw Peter’s training, he has been so good,” he said. “We have great competition inside the squad so it’s good for him and the team for him to score a winning goal.
“Everyone is so happy for him.”
United boss Jim Goodwin was proud of the way his team defended but conceded his former club Aberdeen deserved their win.
“I can’t fault the players for their effort and commitment, it was almost a brilliant defensive performance,” he said.
“Our concentration levels were great the whole game but we got done with the ball to the back post and it fell kindly for Ambrose.
“I can’t have many complaints with the result, Aberdeen were better than us on the day.
“Credit to Jimmy Thelin, he made changes in the second half and it was obvious they were overloading us in the wide areas.
“They are well organised, they have a lot of speed and can mix it up.
“It’s a disappointing result but it’s our first defeat on the road. I said to the players sometimes you have to hold your hands up and admit the opposition were the better team.”
