Kevin Nisbet powers in a headerSNS

Kevin Nisbet scores Aberdeen's third goal - and his latest in an excellent run

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16/03/25

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Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin praised his side's response after going behind against Motherwell as they romped to victory to secure their place in the Scottish Premiership's top six.

The visitors made a dream start, breaking the deadlock after just five minutes when Callum Slattery powered a header into the net.

But the Dons were soon back level after Alfie Dorrington's shot found its way past Motherwell goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe, taking a deflection off Andy Halliday on its way.

The host's second goal was a thing of beauty, Leighton Clarkson curling in a sumptuous 20 yarder as the interval approached.

"It was a really good collective team effort today," Thelin told BBC Scotland. "We start the game really well and they score more or less the first time they arrive in our box.

"Sometimes teams can react in another way, but it was nice to see the reaction that the team gave. The response was really good."

Aberdeen extended their advantage on 76 minutes when Kevin Nisbet headed in from an Alexander Jensen cross.

Nisbet got his second and Aberdeen's fourth with a rasping added-time strike from 30 yards that crashed off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

With Aberdeen chasing European qualification – as well as looking to cement their top-six spot – and Motherwell aiming to keep up their push for a place in the top half of the table, there was plenty at stake for both sides at a sell-out Pittodrie.

Prior to Slattery's early goal, the Dons had started well with Topi Keskinen fizzing a close-range shot just wide.

Keskinen had another chance when he found himself one-on-one with Balcombe, who did really well to block his shot.

Balcombe was a very busy man in a first half Aberdeen dominated, producing further good stops to deny Nisbet and Jeppe Okkels.

Motherwell were better in the second half and they went close when Tom Sparrow bore down on goal before pulling his low shot wide when at the very least he should have hit the target.

At the other end, Pape Habib Gueye had a header gathered by Balcombe and Shayden Morris sent a powerful low shot just wide as Aberdeen went on to secure a comprehensive and important victory.

Aberdeen's rollercoaster ends in top-six spot

Aberdeen were hoping to progress following the arrival of Thelin last summer.

Securing their place in the top six is a significant first step – albeit it has been a bit of rollercoaster ride to achieve it.

Last season, Aberdeen finished seventh – at the end of a disappointing campaign - so avoiding spending the remainder of this one battling in the bottom half is an undoubted step in the right direction.

However, a place in the top six is the minimum that is expected by the Dons and their fans.

Having ticked off that objective – the next one is to secure European football.

If they can do that, then Thelin, and the Pittodrie powerbrokers, will rightly be satisfied with the work done over the course of the season.

However, getting a consistency of performance and results – two things that have been lacking in recent months – between now and the end of the season, will be the key to determining if the Red Army can look out their passports next term.

'Bumps in the road' inevitable for Wimmer

It is inevitable Motherwell are going to experience a few bumps in the road as recently appointed German boss Michael Wimmer continues to find his feet in Scottish football.

What happened at Pittodrie is a case in point and undoubtedly a result that puts a dent in their chances of finding themselves in the top half of the table when the league splits in two in a few weeks time.

In football, there is often a tendency to simply focus on the here and now, but the bigger picture is more important for the Steelmen.

Wimmer is still getting used to life, and football, in this country and the early signs have been encouraging.

He appears to be adapting relatively well and the Well players, and fans, look to be buying in to what he is trying to do.

Who knows how things will play out, but however it goes between now and the season's end, you get a sense that there is plenty to be optimistic about in the medium term for the Fir Park side.

What they said

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I like the way the team is growing. We need the squad to be good through the season. We need to use the whole squad the whole way.

"Nothing has changed, but it is good to be top six. We can only take it game by game."

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "What I'm not satisfied with, and what is not okay for me, is the last 15 minutes. We gave up and I don't like that.

"It doesn't matter what the result is, we have to fight for 90 minutes. We will speak about this. Aberdeen are a brilliant team, I like how they play football, but in the last 15 minutes, we gave up.

"The reaction from a couple of players was not okay. I hope we learn from this."

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