Aberdeen 2 Kilmarnock 0
Match Report from Pittodrie
Date: August 25th, 2024
Competition: SPFL Premiership (Match Day 3)
Attendance: 16,146
Aberdeen retained their 100% record in the SPFL with a comfortable 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on a dreich afternoon at Pittodrie. Both goals came via the head Pape Habib Gueye. Killie had Brad Lyons sent off after 54 minutes for an aggressive challenge on Ester Sokler.
The victory moves Jimmy Thelin onto eight wins out of eight and keeps the Dons in second place in the SPFL behind leaders Celtic on goal difference.
Rubezic Returns, Keskinen in from the Start
There were two changes to the team that defeated Queen’s Park; Slobodan Rubezic replaced Jack Milne and a starting spot for Topi Keskinen. The Finn played on the right wing in place of Shayden Morris.
The Dons stared with intensity and had a lot of joy from the left hand side. Chances were created for Sokler and Gueye in quick succession but neither were able to find the finishing touch. MacKenzie and McGrath providing the crosses respectively.
Kilmarnock’s first sight of goal came from David Watson but his shot from distance was comfortably held by Mitov. At the other end Keskinen was unlucky not to open the scoring when Watkins, on the line, diverted his half volley over the bar.
The opener came after 23 minutes. The Dons retained the ball after a previous attack had broken down. From the left corner of the box, Shinnie delivered a curling cross, Gueye outmuscled his marker and bulleted a header into the top right corner.
Kilmarnock sacrificed David Watson as Derek McInnes switched to a 4-4-2 for the remainder of the first half.
Half-Time: Aberdeen 1 Kilmarnock 0
The visitors started second half with more energy but their pressure amounted to little in actual chances. Their of a comeback were severely dented when Lions received his red card following a VAR intervention.
After a excellent passing move culminating in a Jack MacKenzie cut back, Sokler should have made it 2-0 but rushed his shot when he had time to take a touch.
On 65 minutes, it would again, be Gueye who made sure of the three points with another superb header from a McGrath corner. Moving away from the goal, he arched his neck to meet the delivery and guide the ball into the top right corner from the six-yard box. It was the Senegalese third goal of the season and the Irishman’s third assist.
Watkins had a chance to halve the deficit on 68 minutes when he reacted first to Findlay’s knock-down. From six yards, and a tight angle, the Welshman headed wide.
McGrath came the closest to making it 3-0, turning sharply in the box and sending a shot narrowly wide of the near post.
Kevin Nisbet and Ante Palaversa made their debuts late on.
What the Manager Said
“I’m happy with the performance. We had a good first half. We attacked in different ways, but also played close to each other and helped each other when they attacked to win the second balls and deny them transitions.
“They also had a period when they were really good, so it’s never easy, but I like the team spirit, how they compete together, how they fight for each other and there is the extra touch of Pittodrie and the fans giving us energy. I’m happy with how the atmosphere is growing and everybody understands they have their part to play at Aberdeen.”
All quotes via www.afc.co.uk
Next Up
Aberdeen travel to Dingwall to play Ross County. Kick off is 5.45pm, or 12.45pm EST.