Hibernian 0 - 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen made one change to the side that beat St Johnstone 3-0 at Pittodrie two weeks ago. Gary Mackay-Steven came in for Greg Stewart as the Dons looked to extend their unbeaten league run. That meant young Scott McKenna paired up with Kari Arnason, fresh off his success with Iceland, in the heart of the Dons defence. With Hibernian unlucky not to take all three points at Celtic Park before the international break much was expected of the fixture. This was also the first league meeting between the sides since April 2014.

The hosts forced the first corner of the game on three minutes. Anthony Stokes put an inviting cross in, but it evaded every man in the box. The Dons couldn't clear their lines and gave away a free kick. It was taken short and McGeouch hit a low effort that went wide of Joe Lewis's post. Kenny McLean tried a low effort of his own after some good play from Mackay-Steven down the left, but his shot went way wide. The game had begun at a good pace and Aberdeen forced another effort at goal in the 8th minute. Graeme Shinnie intercepted well and played it out to Rooney. From the left Rooney slipped in Mackay-Steven and his first-time effort went into the side netting. It was a half chance.
After a return to the starting line-up, Mackay-Steven was getting stuck in and took a sore one from Lewis Stevenson, which resulted in a yellow card for the Hibernian left back. A few minutes later Stevie May delivered a dangerous free kick from the left and Arnason glanced a header, which Laidlaw had to save well, but the linesman ruled there was an offside. The Dons had started the better of the sides and more good passing between Rooney, Christie and McLean sent Mackay-Steven through, but his effort on target was weak and Laidlaw gathered. Hibernian pressed forward and were unlucky not to take the lead on 22 minutes. Slivka found space on the right and cut inside the box where Whittaker smacked an effort off the post. A let off for the visitors.
Graeme Shinnie picked up a booking for a foul on John McGinn. The free kick was taken from a good area, but Lewis gathered easily and the Dons held firm. The defence again was looking solid. Anthony O'Connor was soon in Steven McLean's book. After giving the ball away in the middle of the park, he raced back and brought down McGinn for a free kick 30 yards out. There were no complaints from the Irishman.
After Aberdeen being the better side in the first 20 minutes Hibs were coming more into it but then the visitors took the lead with a bit of real quality. There was some fantastic passing and moving. Shinnie played a square pass to Kari Arnason who picked up the ball on the half way line and played an intelligent forward pass for Stevie May. Stevie cleverly laid it off for Kenny McLean and he played a superb first ball through to Mackay-Steven who had made a run inside the full-back. Gary then very coolly slotted home to give the Dons the vital break through. Gary had been up for it from the start and his goal was richly deserved.
Hibernian looked for a near-instant reply. O'Connor gave the ball away cheaply and Stokes was able to get to the back post, but his effort sailed over the bar. Shortly after that Steven McLean brought an exciting half to a close shortly after and The Dons lead, but Hibernian were still very much in the game.