Aberdeen's Graeme Shinnie celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1
Aberdeen came from a goal down to thump already-relegated Livingston in their final Pittodrie fixture of the Scottish Premiership season with a rampant second-half display.
The home side fashioned multiple first-half chances but lacked a clinical touch, with Livingston almost going ahead but for a goalline clearance late in the opening period.
After the interval Livingston were awarded a penalty for an Ester Sokler handball following VAR intervention and Tete Yengi expertly lifted his spot-kick into the roof of the net.
But Junior Hoilett showed a moment of quality to draw the Dons level with a looping free-kick before Graeme Shinnie's diving header put his side into the lead.
Dante Polvara then swept home and Hoilett's close-range finish compounded the visitors' misery.
With moments to go, 16-year-old Fletcher Boyd scored his second in as many games as he struck from the edge of the area with a low strike to put the gloss on a fourth Aberdeen straight win that keeps them in seventh place.
Aberdeen started at a blistering pace with Dante Polvara passing up a gilt-edged opportunity, sidefooting it off of the post from six yards out in the opening stages.
Junior Hoilett then swiped at fresh air in the middle of the box before Graeme Shinnie’s first-time effort sailed over the bar with James McGarry next to drag his powerful drive wide. With half an hour gone, the hosts should have been out of sight.
Livingston threatened to punish the hosts for their profligacy but Nicky Devlin’s sliding clearance swiped Cristian Montano’s shot off of the line after a swift counter-attack.
After the interval Livingston came out with more attacking impetus and were awarded a penalty after referee Alan Muir was sent to the pitchside monitor and judged Ester Sokler to have been guilty of a handball when defending a Livingston cross. A decision his side were perplexed by given he had a defender climbing on his back and plenty of pushing and shoving in the area.
Aberdeen restored parity through a touch of quality from Hoilett who stroked his free-kick into the side netting with the home side then going ahead through their captain Shinnie’s headed attempt.
Midfielder Polvara added to the lead from a smart set-piece routine and Canadian international Hoilett scored his second after Aberdeen pressed their opponents back into their own box, setting up the chance from close range.
16-year-old Fletcher Boyd then drove from the halfway line before driving a low show into the goal for his second Aberdeen goal in four days.
Player of the match - Junior Hoilett
The winger's deal runs out at the end of this season and his current form has surely convinced Aberdeen to offer him another contract. Two goals and two assists here show his importance to his side in the final third.
Dons show attacking flair and freedom - analysis
Aberdeen look revitalised under the guidance of Peter Leven. In a game where it would have been easy to grow frustrated at half-time after failing to convert, they came out determined to have no regrets.
It's perhaps easy to play with such freedom and flair when there's nothing of note at stake, but there is a real style about Aberdeen's final-third efforts.
Hoilett came in from the left to play closer to Sokler, leaving Duk free to stick to the touchline and stretch the Livingston defence. Attacking fluidity of that level needs a strong base to build from and Shinnie showed again just how important he is to this side.
Livingston have known their fate for some time but remained resilient for a large part of the game. However, when the dam burst they looked crestfallen and resigned to going out with a whimper.
What they said
Aberdeen interim head coach Peter Leven: “I thought that boys were brilliant tonight, started really well, just couldn’t score but we’d obviously just saved them for the second half.
“We always knew we were going to create again in the second half, we went a goal down but I always knew we’d create with the quality we’ve got on the pitch and score goals.”
Livingston manager David Martindale: “The goals we lost are terrible, absolutely terrible. Stroy of the season, I can’t elaborate any more on it.
“It’s not good enough at this level. Boys are going to get a shock in the summer when their phones aren’t ringing, I’ll tell you.”
“It’s terrible, it’s why we are where we are. I can’t gloss over it, it’s why we are the way we are.
“We’re at the stage now where we’ve got one game to go and I’ll be honest, there’s 50% of them are mentally checked out, they’re not going to be here.”
What's next?
Aberdeen's final game of the season is away to Ross County on Sunday (15:00 BST) while Livingston host Hibs at the same time.
