Aberdeen 3-1 Hibernian: Dons have time to 'make amends', says Goodwin
- Published
Vicente Besuijen scored a stylish goal for Aberdeen's third
Aberdeen have time to "make amends" and finish in the Scottish Premiership's top six, says manager Jim Goodwin, after beating Hibernian to earn the first win of his tenure.
Calvin Ramsay's own goal was cancelled out by two Lewis Ferguson penalties and Vicente Besuijen's strike as Aberdeen won Goodwin's fifth game in charge.
"We're in a false position. We shouldn't be where we are," said Goodwin, whose side benefitted from the sending off of Hibs' Ryan Porteous with the game poised at 1-1.
"We've got enough time to make amends as a group. If we go and win the next two games, we give ourselves a great chance of being in that mix for the top six and regaining a little bit of pride."
Ferguson's second penalty immediately followed Porteous' red - Hibs 10th of the term - and Aberdeen went on to move within two points of the top half with two games until the split.
An early Lewis Stevenson volley was blocked and Hibs kept the pressure up after a mistake by goalkeeper Joe Lewis led to a free-kick wide on the left, Sylvester Jasper's shot flashing by the far post.
Aberdeen's first attempt was very close. Besuijen's cross from right to left found Connor McLennan and his header brought a superb save by Kevin Dabrowski.
Besuijen then avoided punishment for appearing to grab the head of Rocky Bushiri as the defender was ushering the ball back to his goalkeeper.
It was an Aberdeen man who got the first goal - but at the wrong end. Chris Cadden crossed deep from the right and Ramsay, with Josh Doig on his blind side, volleyed past his own keeper.
The leveller came against the run of play after a series of set pieces from the visitors. Connor Barron's shot deflected and bounced on to the arm of Bushiri, who could have done little to avoid it, and Ferguson swept home from 12 yards.
Dabrowski tipped over a goal-bound Ferguson cross then held a McLennan drive after the break.
Aberdeen were enjoying the sort of territory Hibs had in the first half and took advantage after Porteous' challenge at a free-kick.
David Bates headed Ferguson's delivery off the bar and the Hibs defender upended Ross McCrorie as he attempted to meet the rebound. Ferguson netted emphatically again.
Bates later headed over from a corner but a third goal arrived when substitute Marley Watkins crossed for Besuijen to apply a powerful finish.
Hibs were restricted to long-range efforts in the second half with Jasper's free-kick and Josh Campbell's strike dealt with by Lewis.
Man of the match - Lewis Ferguson
Not for the first time, the Aberdeen man was a driving force in midfield and took his penalties well
What we learned
Aberdeen do not yet look like a team with an identity under Goodwin and it may take the summer transfer window to address the square pegs in round holes.
But with Ferguson and Barron in midfield and Besuijen and Christian Ramirez in attack, they will create chances.
Hibs never really recovered from the loss of the first penalty and Porteous' dismissal largely ended their hopes of taking even a point.
There were positives in the first half for Shaun Maloney and they still have their destiny in their own hands with fourth spot and a Scottish Cup final place to play for.
What they said
Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin: "Very pleased. Trying to get that first win is the hardest part. We were well on top. I thought we dominated for large periods.
"There were a number of good individual performances. The one that I would single out the most was Lewis Ferguson in the middle of the pitch. He ran the game in there with young Connor Barron. It was great to see."
Hibernian head coach Shaun Maloney: "The game changed with two decisions. First [penalty decision] was wrong. It hits Rocky's knee before it hits his arm so the rules are that shouldn't have been a penalty.
"Second one was the correct decision with the penalty but the wrong one to send him off. [Porteous] definitely takes the player trying to get the ball but if you make an attempt to get the ball then it's not a red card."
What's next?
After the international break, Aberdeen resume their Scottish Premiership campaign away to Dundee on 2 April (15:00 BST), when Hibernian are at home to Dundee United.