Jimmy Thelin relieved and delighted after Aberdeen’s first league win of season

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin acknowledged there was still plenty of work ahead but expressed his delight after the Dons recorded a first William Hill Premiership win of the season at the seventh time of asking.

Jesper Karlsson netted from the penalty spot and swept home a delightful second-half finish to bookend further strikes from Adil Aouchiche and Emmanuel Gyamfi as Pittodrie groans turned to smiles in a 4-0 triumph over Dundee.

Thelin, whose side showed encouraging signs in Thursday’s 3-2 Conference League loss to Shakhtar Donetsk, said: “We still have things to improve, but we are growing week by week.

“We spoke after the Shakhtar game about the connection with our support – we have to do our thing on the pitch first to show that connection, and today it was there from the start.

“In previous games we’ve had performances that have been OK but with no goals or clean sheets, so I’m pleased for everybody connected to the club that we get this result today at home. There were a lot of good things.

“The mix of goalscorers is super important for us – we can’t rely on one person so it’s good that there’s a mix.”

Dundee manager Steven Presley took the blame for a poor performance from his side, with sections of the travelling support leaving even during the first half.

“To lose any game 4-0 is obviously really disappointing, but from a tactical perspective we didn’t get it right,” he said. “We worked on certain aspects and didn’t manage to execute on those, and ultimately that’s on me.

“We pressed at the wrong times and Aberdeen really jumped on that and caused us problems. It wasn’t a lack of effort from the players, it was executing the game-plan, and that’s on my head.

“There’s no doubt about Aberdeen’s quality, but I felt we trained well and there was belief around the group. We started well and with intent, but there were far too many moments when they got between us and as a result it was a difficult afternoon.

“The fans pay their money and want to see a good performance from a Dundee side, and they didn’t see that today. I’ve no complaints (about fans leaving early).”