Hibernian’s uptick in Scottish Premiership form continued with a Martin Boyle-inspired 3-1 victory over Aberdeen.
The striker netted one and created two more for Elie Youan and Nicky Cadden as the visitors fought back from Topi Keskinen’s opener for the Dons.
The Dons were refreshed after a free week, and introduced Jack MacKenzie to the starting 11 after injury, one of four changes from the side that drew with St Johnstone a fortnight ago.
Hibs made two changes in attack, with Boyle and Josh Campbell replacing veteran pair Junior Hoilett and Dwight Gayle dropping to the bench.
At a windy Pittodrie, the home side were quick out the traps with a pair of teasing low crosses setting the scene that they were out to attack, but it would be Hibs who adapted to the conditions better, pinning the Dons back for periods of the first half.
It was the home side who had the first clear sight of goal as Keskinen picked out Ester Sokler, whose effort was blocked by Rocky Bushiri. The defender caught the striker in making the challenge prompting a VAR review, but no penalty was awarded.
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The home side took the lead after 14 minutes, Leighton Clarkson sending Keskinen racing away down the left. The winger could have squared for Sokler, but set himself well before lashing into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Hibs responded almost instantly – and directly. Goalkeeper Jordan Smith’s long clearance flicked on by Campbell and, after Slobodan Rubezic had a fresh air swipe in attempting to clear, Boyle unselfishly squared for Youan to slide home from eight yards.
Keskinen was in the mood, and when Aberdeen could get the ball to him, he always looked a danger, sending a superb 20-yard curling effort off the inside of the post after 26 minutes.
But it would be Hibs who gained the initiative as Boyle created a second goal. This time he bamboozled Gavin Molloy before standing up a cross to the back post that the incoming Cadden fired past Ross Doohan 10 minutes before the break.
And Boyle himself netted the third early in the second half. Clarkson’s loose pass in midfield was picked off by Nectarios Triantis, who slid a ball through for the Australia international to fire low past a helpless Doohan.
Aberdeen now had the wind to their advantage and though they were pressing for a way back into the game, it took until Sivert Heltne Nilsen’s deflected shot spun over the bar for them to register a real effort of note.
Substitute Peter Ambrose should have done better with his header from Nicky Devlin’s cross shortly after, and the striker thought he had pulled one back when he latched onto Dante Polvara’s superb through ball, but fired wide of the far post.
There was an injury-time melee as Boyle and MacKenzie clashed off-the-ball, both receiving yellow cards for their part in the shenanigans, but ultimately Hibs comfortably kept the hosts at bay.
