Dundee United came out on top in a five-goal, rain-soaked, thriller at Tannadice with Zac Sapsford's brilliant header giving the hosts a Scottish Premiership victory.

Jim Goodwin's side took the lead on three occasions as Aberdeen did their utmost to fight back in a pulsating, open encounter in which both sides impressed.

Zidane Iqbal gave United the lead after 14 minutes, as his doubly deflected strike found a way to the bottom corner from 25 yards out.

Aberdeen had started well though and got their goal through Nesta Guinness-Walker, with the left-back firing from close range following some pinball in the box.

United's response was immediate though, as Dylan Tait volleyed in at the back post after a corner. Again though, the hosts couldn't quite shake themselves free.

The Dons, who were beleaguered by injury and illness, started the second half brightly and soon found a deserved equaliser when Connor Ronan arrowed one in from 25 yards out.

The frenetic play continued and it looked like United had hit the front again when Sapsford rifled one in after Jesse Randall's fine cross.

However, Daniel Bennie was harshly adjudged to be offside and interfering with play.

If that decision was contentious, justice was done when Tait crossed from the right to pick out Sapsford again, and the Aussie striker guided his header past the keeper and in to seal a thrilling three points.

United are now unbeaten in their past five with three wins thrown in for good measure, rising up to fourth in the table. Aberdeen meanwhile, fall to ninth.

More to follow.

Like every club, there have been false dawns. But it seems like United are, as Jim Goodwin suggested pre-match, finally beginning to gel.

The midfield three, which "could match any in the league" according to Sportsound pundit Andy Halliday, had real energy throughout. Dylan Tait has been exceptional since signing, not just joining a brand new club but captaining to boot.

Fellow middlemen Lyall Cameron and Zidane Iqbal added to the all-action nature and, while Aberdeen had more shots, United were far more clinical - although Lachlan Rose will have nightmares about not sealing all three points with his header at the end.

Goodwin made it known he wanted his side to play more attractive, attacking football in the summer. He has that now but he needs to find a balance, as there will still be some defensive frailties on show. However, they ultimately managed hold out against an Aberdeen onslaught.

That was certainly the case after Connor Ronan's goal when it looked like the Dons would go ahead for the first time in the match, only for United to counter and score - just for it to be ruled out.

But with that, the momentum had swung back in their favour and they showed the stomach to battle for all three points at the end.

It might seem strange to praise a side that ended up on the losing side, but that was as encouraging a display as any for Stephen Robinson.

Obviously, there were issues. They conceded three goals, could have been four and left with nothing. Yet there was so much to like in their performance.

Lewis Smith added real threat when he was introduced at half-time, Guinness-Walker was getting up well from left-back and Ronan is starting to produce the kind of displays expected from him.

Their expected goals (xG) was better than United's, they had more shots, more final third entries, more touches in the opposition box. But at the back, a few errors let them down.

All this from a side that lost their two centre-halves through the week - Lewis Mayo and Mats Knoester. The latter pulled out in the "last kick of training" according to the head coach, showing how late he had to change his plans.

They also had a number of players struck down by a virus through the week and Robinson admitted his XI wasn't solidified until a few hours before kick-off.

That was probably the reason why the defence, which has been relatively solid - before kick-off, it was the best in the league behind the Old Firm - struggled.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It was a terrific game, both sets of players deserve a huge amount of credit. I'm just delighted in the manner we were able to win the game.

"The disappointment of the third goal being chalked off with Sapsford, which was a brilliant passage of play from us... I think it's harsh, to be honest. It's subjective."

Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson: "It's hard to take, because I thought we deserved something out of the game. Some of our play going forward was very good, but we concede three goals away from home.

"Those goals were really disappointing and I'm not going to hide away from that. You don't win games when you concede three away from home."