Scottish Premiership
HibernianHibernian1AberdeenAberdeen2

Hibernian 1-2 Aberdeen: Dons move third after coming from behind to win

By Brian McLauchlinBBC Scotland at Easter Road

Aberdeen moved above Kilmarnock into third place in the Scottish Premiership after coming from behind to beat managerless Hibernian.

Hibs, who parted with head coach Neil Lennon this week, went ahead through Oli Shaw's low strike.

Andy Considine headed the visitors level and Gary Mackay-Steven fired them in front before half-time.

The visitors lost goalkeeper Joe Lewis to injury and Mackay-Steven missed a penalty but they did enough to win.

Derek McInnes's side took advantage of Kilmarnock's defeat by Hearts and stay two points off Rangers, while Hibernian - who were again led by Eddie May and Grant Murray - remain seventh.

Aberdeen comfortable and in control

In recent years, supporters have been treated to an exciting, open style of play at Easter Road and that continued on Saturday despite the departure of Lennon.

The way both teams started gave an indication of what was in store. Florian Kamberi and Shaw looked sharp for the home side and Sam Cosgrove and Mackay-Steven looked in the mood for Aberdeen.

The opening goal came after 10 minutes. Hibs broke up an attack and stormed forward and, when the Aberdeen defence backed off, Shaw fired in from 25 yards with Lewis scampering across his line.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes. After a stramash in the box, during which Cosgrove and Tommie Hoban both had efforts blocked, Considine headed into the Hibs net.

Cosgrove was proving to be a real handful for the Hibs back three, but he was forced off by a hamstring injury, with James Wilson making an appearance from the bench.

The change had little impact on Aberdeen as they continued to push forward at every opportunity.

However, Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano will be asking questions of his defence as the visitors grabbed the lead. Greg Stewart's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, as was Stevie May's follow up, but Mackay-Steven was there to knock in from the angle of the six-yard box.

Aberdeen were in control and looked solid against a rattled home side, although Hibs did come close to an equaliser just before the break, with a Stevie Mallan free-kick just inches wide.

Lewis clattered into a post as he tried to save Mallan's effort and, after a delay of around five minutes, had to be replaced by Tomas Cerny.

The pattern of the game continued into the second period but Mackay-Steven passed up a chance to extend Aberdeen's advantage from the spot after Lewis Ferguson went down. Marciano dived low to his left to keep Hibs' hopes alive.

Hibs introduced new signings Gael Bigirimana and Marc McNulty, which gave the home fans a lift, and both Paul Hanlon and Kamberi came close to levelling with headers.

But Aberdeen were able to see out the game with some comfort and leapfrog Kilmarnock into third place in the Premiership.

Sam Cosgrove
Aberdeen's top scorer Cosgrove went off after 19 minutes

McInnes' men keep composure - analysis

Hibs are lacking in confidence, and the sooner a new head coach is appointed the better. That is no slight at all on May, who had his team well organised, but it's evident that they need a boost. The addition of McNulty may well help, and when the on-loan Reading player gets up to full match fitness he may be able to inspire the Easter Road fans once again.

The injuries to Cosgrove and Lewis could easily have knocked Aberdeen off their game but nothing could be further from the truth. They looked composed throughout, and even after losing an early goal there was no sign of panic.

Ferguson seems to be improving with every game and being able to hold on to Mackay-Steven during the transfer window may well be Aberdeen's shrewdest piece of business in January.

'Hibs don't mean to make mistakes' - reaction

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "We made it a bit more challenging than it needed to be. We missed the penalty and we were guilty of passing up chance after chance.

"Our response to going behind was good. Our work-rate at the top end of the pitch was magnificent. We were really slick on the counter attack. I thought we defended admirably."

Hibernian caretaker head coach Eddie May: "The disappointing thing was we lose a goal three minutes after we score. The players don't mean to make mistakes. It's just a learning curve for them.

"I wouldn't say confidence is low. Goals change games. The two goals we've lost, we could've done a little bit better."

Line-ups

Hibernian

Formation 3-5-2

  • 1Marciano
  • 24McGregor
  • 5Milligan
  • 4HanlonBooked at 10mins
  • 2Gray
  • 8Slivka
  • 6BartleySubstituted forBigirimanaat 54'minutes
  • 14MallanSubstituted forGauldat 75'minutes
  • 16StevensonBooked at 83mins
  • 22KamberiBooked at 62mins
  • 32ShawSubstituted forMcNultyat 67'minutes

Substitutes

  • 9McNulty
  • 13Gauld
  • 18Nelom
  • 20Bigirimana
  • 21Johnson
  • 31Bogdan
  • 40Omeonga

Aberdeen

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1LewisSubstituted forCernyat 45'minutes
  • 2Logan
  • 28HobanBooked at 73mins
  • 4ConsidineBooked at 41mins
  • 29Lowe
  • 7Stewart
  • 19Ferguson
  • 3Shinnie
  • 11Mackay-Steven
  • 16CosgroveSubstituted forWilsonat 19'minutes
  • 17MaySubstituted forGleesonat 62'minutes

Substitutes

  • 8Gleeson
  • 9Wilson
  • 10McGinn
  • 20Cerny
  • 21Ball
  • 24Campbell
  • 27McLennan
Referee:
Don Robertson
Attendance:
16,269

Match Stats

Home TeamHibernianAway TeamAberdeen
Possession
Home31%
Away69%
Shots
Home6
Away6
Shots on Target
Home3
Away3
Corners
Home4
Away2
Fouls
Home16
Away7

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Hibernian 1, Aberdeen 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Hibernian 1, Aberdeen 2.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. James Wilson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.

  4. Post update

    Delay in match Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) because of an injury.

  5. Post update

    Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Mark Milligan (Hibernian).

  7. Post update

    Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Mark Milligan (Hibernian).

  9. Booking

    Lewis Stevenson (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  10. Post update

    Gary Mackay-Steven (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Lewis Stevenson (Hibernian).

  12. Post update

    Greg Stewart (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Mark Milligan (Hibernian).

  14. Post update

    Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Marc McNulty (Hibernian).

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Hibernian. Ryan Gauld replaces Stephen Mallan.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Florian Kamberi (Hibernian) header from very close range is just a bit too high.

  18. Booking

    Tommie Hoban (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Tommie Hoban (Aberdeen).

  20. Post update

    David Gray (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.