Kevin Nisbet struck a decisive brace to give Aberdeen FC a 2–0 home win over Hibernian FC in Premiership action on matchday 33, with the game heavily shaped by an early dismissal for the visitors.
The turning point arrived on 16 minutes when Hibernian defender Grant Hanley was sent off, leaving the away side to play more than 70 minutes with 10 men. Just a minute later, Aberdeen made the numerical advantage count. Nisbet stepped up to convert a 17th-minute penalty, putting the hosts 1–0 ahead.
With the lead secured and Hibs reduced to 10, the match settled into a pattern of Aberdeen control. Hibernian reacted quickly to the red card, replacing Jack Iredale with Rocky Bushiri on 18 minutes in an attempt to stabilise their back line.
The contest grew more stop-start as the first half wore on, with Aberdeen’s Emmanuel Gyamfi booked on the stroke of half-time. After the interval, Hibernian continued to reshuffle, introducing Ante Šuto for Dane Scarlett, while further yellow cards for Daniel Barlaser and Owen Elding underlined the visitors’ defensive strain.
Aberdeen tightened their grip in the final quarter. Toyosi Olusanya and Lyall Cameron made way for Topi Keskinen and Graeme Shinnie on 71 minutes, and the fresh legs helped push the hosts on to a second goal. Nisbet struck again in the 75th minute from open play, effectively sealing the result at 2–0.
Both managers turned to their benches in the closing stages, with Aberdeen introducing Ante Palaversa and later Kjartan Kjartansson and Elvis Bwomono, while Hibernian brought on Kai Andrews, Martin Boyle and Joe Newell in search of a late response.
The visitors, however, could not find a breakthrough against a composed Aberdeen side. Detailed data beyond goals, cards and substitutions was not available at the time of writing.
For full match information, visit the Ballaxy match centre, or see the club pages for Aberdeen FC and Hibernian FC, and the Premier League overview.
Premier League Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Heart of Midlothian FC
|
33 | 21 | 7 | 5 | 58 | 28 | 30 | 70 | W W W D |
| 2 |
Rangers FC
|
33 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 66 | 31 | 35 | 69 | L L W W |
| 3 |
Celtic FC
|
33 | 21 | 4 | 8 | 59 | 35 | 24 | 67 | W W W W |
| 4 |
Motherwell FC
|
33 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 52 | 29 | 23 | 54 | L W L L |
| 5 |
Hibernian FC
|
33 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 51 | 37 | 14 | 51 | L L L W |
| 6 |
Falkirk FC
|
33 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 45 | 48 | -3 | 46 | W L L W |
| 7 |
Dundee United FC
|
33 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 45 | 54 | -9 | 40 | L W W L |
| 8 |
Aberdeen FC
|
33 | 9 | 6 | 18 | 33 | 48 | -15 | 33 | D W W L |
| 9 |
Dundee FC
|
33 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 53 | -19 | 33 | W L D L |
| 10 |
St. Mirren FC
|
33 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 27 | 48 | -21 | 30 | L L L W |
| 11 |
Kilmarnock FC
|
33 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 37 | 65 | -28 | 28 | W L D L |
| 12 |
Livingston FC
|
33 | 1 | 13 | 19 | 35 | 66 | -31 | 16 | D W L D |
