Hibernian 2-0 Aberdeen
- Published
Hibernian ended Aberdeen's unbeaten domestic start to the season and reached the last eight of the Scottish League Cup with two late goals.
Jason Cummings scored with a superb strike before substitute Dominique Malonga sealed the win on the counter.
The Premiership leaders' misery was compounded by injuries to Willo Flood and Graeme Shinnie in the first half.
Championship side Hibs deployed Alan Stubbs' tactics to perfection as they limited the Dons to half-chances.
Hibs will find out who they will face in the quarter-finals when the draw is made on Monday, with the potential for an Edinburgh derby against Hearts.
Stubbs handed a start to Darren McGregor as he opened proceedings with a three-man defence against a previously vibrant Aberdeen.
The visitors' second visit to the capital in just four days allowed Derek McInnes to bring back top scorer Adam Rooney, who was benched against Hearts on Sunday.
This was the first time the clubs had met in this competition since 1998, when a Stevie Crawford goal knocked Aberdeen out.
And like then, the second tier Hibees would prevail.
Chances were at a premium in the first half with Cummings and David Goodwillie going closest for their respective sides.
The Dons would have to look to the bench twice in the opening 45 minutes. Firstly, Flood succumbed to an early ankle knock and was replaced by Peter Pawlett.
Then, when Shinnie went into a 50-50 challenge he came off worse and went off with the help of the physio, Ryan McLaughlin coming on.
Pawlett missed Aberdeen's best chance of the game as he headed a Niall McGinn cross over at the start of the second half but Hibs were more than a match for their top-flight opponents.
Both goalkeepers had relatively quiet nights, with Goodwillie almost turning a loose ball past Mark Oxley.
Extra-time was looking the most likely outcome until Cummings' late brilliance. It was a moment of magic that the tie had lacked for so long.
Controlling on his chest, Hibs' top scorer twisted away from his marker and struck a stunning shot past Ward.
Aberdeen chased the game and were caught on the counter.
Cummings was substituted with Malonga replacing him and it was not long before the Congolese raced from the halfway line with Aberdeen shorn at the back.
He dropped the shoulder when faced by Shay Logan before calmly rolling past Ward to seal Hibs' passage.
- Published23 September 2015
- Published23 September 2015
- Published23 September 2015