Hibernian 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Derek McInnes made just the one change from last weekend. Graeme Shinnie missed his first of two games through suspension so Chidi Nwakali was handed a first start. Kenny McLean took over as captain. There was also a change in formation as well.

The early stages were very open and it was the home side you enjoyed more of the possession. In the second minute Mackay-Steven did well to track the run of Martin Boyle and was well positioned to knock a dangerous cross behind for a corner. McKenna eventually cleared the first set piece of the afternoon. In the sixth minute a cross from the right saw Boyle get above GMS but McKenna cleared.

Aberdeen by now had had a couple of half breaks but the final pass went astray.

In the eight minute another flat cross from the right was missed by a couple of Aberdeen defenders but Considine did very well to usher Florian Kamberi out of play when the striker had his back to goal.

On 11 minutes the first Aberdeen attack of note. Nwakali did well to find McLean and he played in Christie. From the edge of the area Ryan hit a shot which he just lifted over the bar although Marciano appeared to have it covered. A minute later John McGinn was able to find room and fired in a shot but Woodman has his angles spot on.

Aberdeen then almost gave away the lead on 15 minutes. After stringing a few passes together, McKenna was caught in possession as Hibs pressed high up the pitch. Hibs had a two on two but in the end Considine made a very good blocking tackle on Jamie MacLaren.

On 17 minutes Christie won Aberdeen their first corner. McGinn?s ball in was completely missed by Marciano. Hibs then gave away possession and McLean?s ball back in found McGinn in space as he ghosted into the area but his curling effort to the far post was blocked. Aberdeen again though won back possession and McLean?s effort from 30 yards was heading into the top corner but Marciano made a decent diving stop.

20 minutes in, the visitors were enjoying a good spell with Nwakali impressing in the middle of the park. Three minutes later though MacLaren laid the ball off for McGeouch. His low shot was again well saved by Woodman.

On the half hour mark there was a slight lull in play after the high tempo start.

On 33 minutes Rooney had a pass intercepted. The danger appeared to have been dealt with but Nwakali was adjudged to have pushed McGinn over beside the corner flag. McGinn?s free kick was headed clear by Rooney, making up for his earlier mistake. Hibs continued to press and won a corner on 36 minutes, Considine headed clear. Scott Allan then made his way to the by-line but thankfully Hanlon wasted a great opportunity by heading over the bar.

On 39 minutes Nwakali tried his luck from distance. It was a decent enough hit but just off target. On 42 minutes Nwakali produced a superb tackle which set Christie free. He got the wrong side of Scott Allan who pulled him down and received the first yellow card of the afternoon.

A fairly even first forty-five minutes.

HT. Hibernian 0 Aberdeen 0

At half time Adam Rooney was replaced by Stevie May.

Aberdeen made the worst possible start to the second half. Out of nothing MacLaren was played through. He was one on one with Woodman who made a good save with his legs. The keeper then made an even better save from the same player but the ball broke kindly for Martin Boyle who forced it home.

A sloppy start from the Dons.

Hibs were lifted by the goal and McLean was booked for a foul on Allan as he got into a dangerous area. The free kick went past Woodman?s post. Then McKenna was booked for a foul on Allan. Again the free kick just went past the post. On 53 minutes a third free kick and this time Nwakali was yellow carded. John McGinn?s free kick was blocked by Niall McGinn

On 55 minutes Hibs were screaming for a red card after a foul by McLean but referee Dallas rightly ignored the appeals. A minute later Aberdeen had a good opening when May broke down the right but frustratingly he could not pick out a red shirt in the area despite having time to look up.

Just before the hour mark Hibs scored a second. Originally from a corner, Aberdeen never cleared their lines. A shot from Hanlon was half blocked inside the six yard box. Florian Kamberi was able to turn and his shot found the corner of the net, possibly with another deflection along the way.

Hibs were well on top at this stage and the Dons were struggling to get anything going with the midfield over run.
On 64 minutes Nwakali was replaced by Arnason. With his first touch the Icelandic defender prevented a goal after a free kick was whipped in and no one had picked up McGregor at the far post. Four minutes later Considine was the latest Aberdeen player to be booked. It looked a poor decision as he got to the ball first.

On 69 minutes Kenny McLean fired in a low shot which Marciano failed to hold but there was no one following up. Aberdeen then appealed for a penalty when Stevie May was pushed inside the area but nothing was given.

Hibs should have made it three when Allan picked up the ball in acres of space and played in Boyle but his shot was well saved by Woodman who stood really well.

On 76 minutes Ryan Christie was the latest Aberdeen player to be booked.
It was still all Hibs with Allan running the show. Their work rate was greater and were winning all the 50-50 battles all over the pitch.

After 79 minutes Niall McGinn had a free kick out wide but his ball in was easily taken by the keeper despite having plenty to aim at inside the area. It summed up the second half performance.

On 80 minutes Kamberi was received a yellow card for a pull on McLean. The Aberdeen skipper was trying desperately to something going but nothing was happening ahead of him.

With ten minutes to go Maynard replaced Mackay-Steven. On 82 minutes Woodman made a good save from Boyle even although Dallas gave a goalkick. MacLaren then had a shot as Hibs continued to dominate. With five minutes to go Allan forced Woodman into another save.

The Aberdeen keeper can be pleased with his afternoon?s work but he was probably the only player to get plus mark on what was a very disappointing and untypical Aberdeen performance.

That was the end of the action as the home side ran out deserved winners.

FT. Hibernian 2 Aberdeen 0