Superb victory at Pittodrie sees Hibs move into eighth place

Hibs produced their best performance of the season so far beating Aberdeen 3-1 at Pittodrie, a result which sees the club move into eighth place. 

David Gray made two changes to his starting XI that beat Ross County last weekend with Josh Campbell and Martin Boyle replacing Dwight Gayle and Junior Hoilett who both dropped to the bench. 

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with St Johnstone. 

James McGarry, Shayden Morris and Kevin Nisbet dropped to the bench while Jack Milne missed out as he recovers from an ankle operation. 

Nicky Devlin, Jack MacKenzie, Ester Sokler and Topi Keskinen all started. 

After a decent start for the visitors it was the hosts that opened the scoring in the 15^th minute when Leighton Clarkson’s pass found Topi Keskinen and the striker fired the ball into the net. 

Moments later Hibs equalised following a mistake by Slobodan Rubezic in the Aberdeen defence which allowed Boyle to run in behind and his pass found Elie Youan who slotted the ball past the ‘Dons keeper. 

On the half hour mark Keskinen almost grabbed his second of the day with a thundebolt which rebounded off the post before being cleared. 

Seven minutes later Hibs took the lead when Boyle’s cross from the byline was spectacularly volleyed home by Nicky Cadden at the back post to the delight of the large travelling support.  

Just before the break another Boyle cross found Nicky Cadden but his header was well saved. 

Six minutes after the restart Hibs added a third when Nectar Triantis won possession in midfield off Sivert Nilsen and set up Boyle who ran through and fired the ball passed Ross Doohan. 

Moments later Warren O’Hora was forced to leave the field with an injury and was replaced by Lewis Miller. 

Joe Newell was then replaced by on-loan Celtic midfielder Kwon. 

Aberdeen then pressed forward looking to get back in the game. 

Jamie McGrath’s cross just evaded substitute Dante Polvara is rising then Keskinen fired a long-range effort over the bar. 

Peter Ambrose was next to try his luck but his low effort flew just wide of the post. He then fired another chance high and wide.  

But despite dominating possession, the Dons were unable to breach the Hibs defence with both Rocky Bushiri and Jack Iredale in fine form. 

After the final whistle Gray told BBC Sportsound: “I’m delighted, especially with the reaction to going a goal down. 

“We probably got a bit of luck when Aberdeen hit the post but from that moment I thought we controlled the game, created numerous big chances and probably played the conditions slightly better. 

“The way we played, the way we set out and worked – credit to the players.” 

Aberdeen: Doohan, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie, Shinnie, Nilsen, McGrath, Clarkson, Sokler, Keskinen. 

Substitutes: Ritchie, Polvara, Nisbet, Duk, McGarry, Palaversa, Morris, MacDonald, Ambrose. 

Hibs: Smith, C Cadden, O’Hora, Bushiri, Iredale, Newell, Triantis, Campbell, N Cadden, Youan, Boyle. 

Substitutes: Burski, Miller, Levitt, Amos, Kwon, Obita, Moriah-Welsh, Hoilett, Gayle. 

Attendance 18,375