Hamilton Academical 3-0 Aberdeen

  • Published
  • Hamilton win to extend lead

  • Andreu and Antoine-Curier goals earn points

  • Accies now four points clear

Tony Andreu scored twice as Hamilton Academical extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with an emphatic win over lacklustre Aberdeen.

The Frenchman forced in Dougie Imrie's cross in the first half and converted Danny Redmond's cut-back in the second.

And a late volley from Mikael Antoine-Curier rounded off the victory for the hosts.

The win opens up a four-point gap between Accies and Dundee United.

Alex Neil's home side came into the match in buoyant mood, having recorded their first win at Celtic Park for 76 years in their last outing.

They were bright from the off and got the reward for their early enterprise when Andreu capitalised on slack defending to open the scoring.

Ash Taylor failed to clear as Hamilton broke into the box and Imrie nipped in to lift the ball over advancing goalkeeper Jamie Langfield and leave Andreu a simple finish.

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Hamilton have only lost once this season, while the Dons have now suffered four defeats

Going behind shocked Aberdeen into action and they might have levelled through Adam Rooney.

The ball cannoned fortuitously downfield to put the striker clean through on goal but he scuffed his shot and Michael McGovern was able to block.

Next up, David Goodwillie had his moment to shine from Barry Robson's pinpoint pass but the impressive McGovern again pulled off a solid save.

The New Douglas Park faithful appealed for a penalty after Antoine-Curier juggled the ball on to the arm of Robson but referee Kevin Clancy was unmoved.

Aberdeen seemed to be gaining momentum when Mark Reynolds' header looped over early in the second half but their good work was soon undone by Andreu's second.

The 26-year-old rounded off a sweeping attack by slotting in an assured pass from Redmond.

The visitors needed a spark and that came when substitute Niall McGinn entered the fray.

The Northern Irishman headed Willo Flood's delivery back across the box begging for a conversion, but Rooney could not get the vital touch.

McGinn then came within a whisker of netting himself courtesy of a well-struck free-kick that bounced wide.

For all that Aberdeen huffed and puffed, they could not find a way back into the game, and the hosts rounded off a perfect evening with a third goal.

Antoine-Courier connected with Ali Crawford's delivery to give Hamilton their 10th win in all competitions this campaign and fifth consecutive clean sheet.

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Antoine-Curier put the seal on Hamilton's win with his late strike

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

The attacker celebrates the goal that rounded off an emphatic win

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