Sting yet in an old derby GAME OF THE DAY

Dundee United 2 - 3 Aberdeen

Fernandez 26, 28

Crawford 63, 68, Nicholson 78

THE phrase "New Firm" spanned the seven-year period from 1979 when these clubs won 11 domestic trophies between them, and since then they have been disparaged with that "New Infirm" cliche for even longer. Neither description felt appropriate at the end of an epic cup tie which blazed across a bitterly cold Tannadice. Aberdeen's flawed performance meant it was impossible to believe that they might go on to win the Tennent's Scottish Cup this season but, for the last half hour, they were capable of a brilliant resurrection to keep themselves in the tournament. United, too, showed rude health at times, even if these may be the dying days of Gordon Chisholm's management.

Jimmy Calderwood's temper flashed in a physical altercation with Billy Dodds at full-time. Of more lasting significance, he will feel, was recovering from 2-0 down - with less than half an hour left - to win a cup tie away from home. Whether the result is a turning point in an underwhelming season remains to be seen, but there was redemption on a personal basis for Aberdeen. Richie Byrne and Ricky Foster have taken their fair share of criticism so their massive contributions to Aberdeen's three late goals were heartwarming. In Stevie Crawford, booed on and off the field in some recent matches this season and taunted by his former United supporters yesterday, Aberdeen had a striker who showed character to hang in for a double. And then there was Barry Nicholson, who has played under a cloud recently, delivering a precise and priceless winner.

Calderwood was up to his old tricks to save the game, changing to that harumscarum 2-4-4 system he has used before when required to chase a game. Yesterday it worked for him but had Derek Stillie not gifted Aberdeen a 63rd minute lifeline when United were 2-0 up he might not have had one goal to enjoy, let alone three. The general turbulence of the game was evident by the fact that at the end, when the job was done and Aberdeen were ahead, they had only one man up front and tried to kill the play every time they won the ball. How United envied them by then.

Calderwood needed survival in the cup to keep the wolf from the door, but there was no such reprieve for United manager Gordon Chisholm, who spoke eloquently but with a sense of resignation last night. It was the lowest he had felt in a 30year career in football. "We spoke at half-time about not giving Aberdeen a lift and that's exactly what happened. Our team is soft, there's a soft centre. The same boys are making basic errors and we can't kill a game off. Today is a major disappointment, a major blow." Chairman Eddie Thompson has been twitchy about Chisholm for weeks and after ten months in charge the manager may not see out the week.

United had been cruising against an inert Aberdeen. Their early play had been brisk and there was no excuse for the doziness of Aberdeen's defending as David Fernandez's scored two in three minutes. Collin Samuel brushed aside the attentions of Byrne but his low cross into the goalmouth ought to have been dealt with. Instead Fernandez reached it ahead of Russell Anderson to bundle the ball over the line. Aberdeen claimed he had used a hand in the process of applying his finish, but their anger quickly dissolved as United punished another lapse in concentration.

Chris Clark was under pressure as he attempted to collect a stray pass in central midfield and Samuel nipped the ball from him and delivered a quick through ball to send Fernandez racing through on Langfield. How a team playing a sweeper could be caught out in such a fashion was inexplicable - Danny Griffin made an otherwise sound debut there against his former club - but Fernandez was in the mood and his execution was clinical, low and firm to the goalkeeper's right.

That seemed to be that: Aberdeen dead-and-buried and United left with more than an hour to comfortably cruise into today's fourth round draw. They looked far more likely to increase their lead than surrender it. Aberdeen had no-one offering the trickery of Samuel or the intelligence of Fernandez. When Aberdeen slept again - Kevin McNaughton allowing himself to be dispossessed by Jim McIntyre - they conceded a free-kick from which only Jamie Langfield's outstanding diving save denied Fernandez his hat-trick. Samuel, unmarked, missed a glorious chance when he headed wide. Aberdeen seemed finished.

Stillie changed all that. He never managed to become an Aberdeen hero when he was with the club a decade ago but, cruelly, he was being toasted by the 4500-travelling support last night. His mistake transformed both teams:

giving Aberdeen an injection of hope which they exploited, and sewing destructive selfdoubt among his team-mates. Byrne's cross required only a routine near post save but Stillie somehow spilled it straight to the disbelieving Crawford for a tap-in.

Byrne's more impressive run and cross five minutes later brought the equaliser and a reward for Calderwood's tactical gamble, his cross finding Crawford, who controlled the ball to place a cool finish across goal into the corner. United were not yet dead but all the momentum was with Aberdeen. When Crawford found Foster in another move the substitute's pass ran perfectly into Nicholson's path for him to bury an emphatic finish. Last night, those compiling the highlights packages had their work cut out.

FAST FOOTBALL

Fair result? It was tough on United, who were deservedly ahead. The game turned on Derek Stillie's unforced error which gave Aberdeen a lifeline at 2-1.

Entertainment value: It was an afternoon of incredible drama on a bitterly cold January afternoon.

Talking point: As if there had not been enough of them in the game itself, there was the astonishing flare-up between Jimmy Calderwood and Billy Dodds on the touchline. Celebrity Big Brother, and now Celebrity Football Boxing.

Man of the match: Stevie Crawford's double turned the tie for Aberdeen but David Fernandez's goals and all-round performance was more impressive display overall.

Gordon Chisholm: "In my 30 years of football that's the lowest I have felt. I couldn't believe it. We should be in the next round of the cup."

Jimmy Calderwood: "It was an absolutely disgraceful first half. A few home truths were told at half-time. It wasn't good enough for this great club. We needed a break and we got one."

Dundee United:

Stillie Wilson McCracken Archibald Mulgrew Duff Kerr Robson Fernandez Samuel McIntyre

Subs: Miller for Duff 81.

Not used: Samson, McInnes, Brebner, Kenneth.

Booked: Kerr 90.

Aberdeen:

Langfield Anderson Griffin Byrne Clark McNaughton Nicholson Dempsey Smith Lovell Crawford

Subs: Foster for Dempsey 46, Mackie for Lovell 58, Considine for Crawford 85.

Not used: Esson, Stewart.

Booked: Nicholson 60, Langfield 90.

Referee: S Dougal.

Attendance: 8,218.

Copyright 2006 SMG Sunday Newspapers Ltd.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.