Aberdeen 1 – 3 Hibernian happymamay

Hibernian’s improvement in Scottish Premiership form continued with a Martin Boyle-inspired 3-1 win over Aberdeen.

The striker scored a goal and set up two more for Eli Ioann and Nicky Cadden as the visitors fought back from Topi Keskinen’s opener for the Dons.

The Dons have been revamped after a free week, with Jack McKenzie brought into the starting line-up after injury, one of four changes from the side that drew with St Johnstone two weeks ago.

Hibs made two changes in attack, with Boyle and Josh Campbell replacing veteran duo Junior Hoilett and Dwight Gayle on the bench.

At a windy Pittodrie Stadium, the home side quickly emerged from the traps with a pair of pesky low crosses paving the way for the attack, but it was Hibs who adapted to the conditions best, pinning the Dons at the back for spells of the first half.

It was the hosts who had their first clear view of goal when Keskinen passed the ball to Esther Sokler, whose shot was blocked by Rocky Bushiri. The defender caught the striker making a challenge which led to a VAR review, but no penalty was awarded.

The hosts took the lead after 14 minutes, as Leyton Clarkson sent Keskinen wide down the left flank. The winger could have passed for Sokler, but he steadied himself well before shooting into the bottom right corner of the net.

Hibs responded almost immediately – and directly. Campbell crossed a long ball to goalkeeper Jordan Smith, and after Slobodan Rubisic took a hit wide open in his attempt to clear the ball, Puel unselfishly crossed for Yoan to slide in from eight yards.

Keskinen was in a good mood, and when Aberdeen did get the ball to him, he always looked dangerous, sending a stunning 20-yard shot just inside the post after 26 minutes.

But it was Hibs who took the lead when Puel set up the second goal. This time he deceived Gavin Molloy before standing on a cross at the back post that was fired past Caden oncoming Ross Doohan 10 minutes before half-time.

Puel himself scored the third goal at the beginning of the second half. Clarkson’s loose pass in midfield was picked up by Nektarios Triantis, who passed the ball for the Australia international to fire past a helpless Doohan.

Aberdeen now had the wind on their side and although they were pushing to get back into the game, it took until Seifert Hjalten Nielsen’s deflected shot bounced over the bar for them to score a real effort.

Substitute Peter Ambrose should have done better, heading home Nicky Devlin’s cross shortly after, and the striker thought he had pulled a goal back when he latched on to Dante Polvara’s superb through ball, but shot wide of the far post.

There was an injury-time melee as Puel and McKenzie clashed off the ball, both receiving yellow cards for their part in the shenanigans, but in the end Hibs kept the hosts at bay comfortably.

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