Despite going behind after just four minutes, the Hibees again showed great heart and character to secure all three points in what turned out to be a comprehensive and comfortable performance.
Josh Campbell will again steal the headlines as the midfielder scored an excellent brace in an attacking display from the Hibees.
After recovering from his gallbladder surgery, Lee Johnson was back in the technical area for this afternoon’s game and made one change to try and enhance his side’s attacking intensity.
That change saw Mykola Kuharevich (below) make his debut for the Club after joining on loan from AS Troyes. He joined up with his teammates earlier in the week after his work permit was approved. There was no Harry McKirdy in the matchday squad as he served a one-match suspension.
It was the worst possible start for Hibs as Aberdeen scored with their first attack of the game. A deep cross into the box was met by Luís ‘Duk' Lopes, who flicked a header expertly over Marshall and into the back of the net.
Despite going behind earlier, Johnson’s side reacted well immediately putting the visitors on the backfoot and a huge chance came moments later. Martin Boyle’s corner fell fortunately to Ryan Porteous. The defender’s mis-hit effort was well-saved by Roos before both Campbell and Hanlon tried to bundle the ball over the line. As the players were looking for confirmation to whether the ball had crossed the line, the offside flag was raised against the Hibs men.
That pressure continued as a deep cross was swung into the area. Replays showed that the ball struck the arm of Aberdeen man Ross McCrorie, but Hibs’ furious appeals were waved away by the referee.
Half chances continued to fall with Kuharevich, Joe Newell and Élie Youan testing the goalkeeper.
Another moment of controversy fell just before the half hour mark. Kuharevich was brought down by Stewart as he was slipped through on goal, but the Aberdeen man only received a yellow card, despite to protests from the Hibs players. Newell’s free-kick after the foul went harmlessly into the hands of the ‘keeper.
As the closing stages to the half came, Hibs were again thwarted by Roos in the Dons goal. Youan picked the ball up just inside the opposition half and drove towards goal before releasing a fierce right-footed effort from 25-yards out. It looked to be heading for the top corner, but Roos got his fingertips to it and tipped it over the bar.
Hibs constant pressure paid off on the stroke of half-time as Ryan Porteous was hauled down in the box. The referee was quick to point to the penalty spot and gave Liam Scales his second yellow card of the game, meaning Aberdeen were down to 10 men.
Martin Boyle stepped up to take the spot kick – Hibs’ first penalty in the league since November 2021 – and made no mistake! The Australian international calmly placed the ball into the back of the net to put Hibs level. His third goal of the campaign.
Hibs started the second period with the same intensity. Boyle slipped Josh Campbell in-behind the defence. The midfielder tried to find Kuharevich and Newell, but Roos was able to cut it out.
On 55 minutes, Campbell was again involved. The midfielder was slipped into the box and had options; he could go alone or cut the ball back to Kuharevich. The 22-year-old tried his luck from a tight angle, but Roos was equal to it.
Roos was the Aberdeen hero again shortly after. An overlapping run from Ryan Porteous caused the defence issues. Porto’s whipped cross was saved by Roos ahead of the on-rushing Hibs bodies, before he got up quickly to deny Joe Newell’s rebound.
Chances continue to fall with new boy Kuharevich getting creative. He attempted an acrobatic scissor kick, but his effort flew over the bar.
In an attempt to increase the intensity on the opposition, Johnson introduced Jake Doyle-Hayes in place of Nohan Kenneh.
And in the 62nd minute, finally the pressure on the Aberdeen defence paid off. An excellent team goal culminated in Chris Cadden clipping Campbell into the box, and this time the midfielder made no mistake.
He went through one-on-one with Roos and placed the ball beautifully into the back of the net.
Just after the 70th minute mark, Campbell bagged his brace! His incredible work rate again shined through as he read the play perfectly and got a toe on a header back to the ‘keeper, tapping the ball into the net to make it 3-1.
Two minutes later Aberdeen had a golden chance to grab a goal back. Looking for a fourth Hibs were caught on the break as Jayden Richardson galloped down the right-flank. He picked out Bojan Miovski, five yards out, but his scuffed effort went wide.
Final Hibs changes saw Josh Campbell and Mykola Kuharevich receive standing ovations as they were replaced by Ewan Henderson and Momodou Bojang.
Hibernian: Marshall, Cabraja, Hanlon, Porteous, Cadden; Kenneh (Doyle-Hayes, 60’), Newell, Campbell (Henderson, 85’); Youan (Tavares, 72’) Kuharevich (Bojang, 85’), Boyle.
Substitutes not used: Schofield, Miller, Stevenson, McGregor, Fish
Aberdeen: Roos; McCrorie, Scales, Stewart, Richardson (Watkins 78’); Ramadani, Coulson (MacKenzie, 55’); Hayes, Duk Lopes (Polvara, 45’), Besuijen (Morris, 78’), Miovski
Substitutes not used: Lewis, Duncan, Milne, Kennedy, Ramirez
Referee: David Dickinson
Attendance: 17,292
