Hibernian 0-4 Aberdeen: Dons heap more misery on Nick Montgomery with Easter Road rout
Aberdeen delivered a crushing blow to Hibernian, piling on the pressure for their manager Nick Montgomery. The struggling Hibernian side fell to ninth in the cinch Premiership after a lacklustre 4-0 defeat at home against a revitalised Aberdeen.
Leighton Clarkson, Dante Polvara, Bojan Miovski and 16 year old newcomer Fletcher Boyd all found the back of the net as the Dons extended their unbeaten league run to seven games and secured their third consecutive win since the cinch Premiership split.
The victory propelled Aberdeen past the stumbling Hibs into seventh place, turning up the heat on Montgomery whose position was already considered precarious after failing to guide the team into the top six last month.
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In a surprising move, the Easter Road boss fielded the same team that started the 2-1 loss at Ross County the previous weekend. However, there was a significant addition to the subs' bench with Jake Doyle-Hayes making a return to the squad after nearly nine months out due to ankle issues.
Aberdeen also stuck with their winning formula as they aimed to maintain their improved form under interim manager Peter Leven, who took over from Neil Warnock in March.
The Hibees began the match on a positive note with most of the early play taking place in the Dons half. Nathan Moriah-Welsh made the first significant attempt of the match when he shot just wide from 25 yards out in the 20th minute.
Aberdeen's goalkeeper Kelle Roos then showcased his skills with an impressive double save to deny Myziane Maolida and Martin Boyle.
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The match took a decisive turn in favour of the Dons following a pivotal moment. The visitors made their intentions clear in the 26th minute when Polvara's low angled shot was deflected behind by Chris Cadden, thanks to a clever pass from Jamie McGrath.
The game's first goal came just four minutes later, with Clarkson curling a beautiful shot from 25 yards out into the net.
Hibs' situation worsened in the 39th minute when Nicky Devlin dispossessed Jordan Obita and passed to Junior Hoilett, who set up Polvara for a firm angled strike from 15 yards out.
The Dons ended the first half on a high note, with Miovski heading over at the back post after a corner from Hoilett.
Aberdeen's third goal came seven minutes into the second half, with Miovski drilling a low angled shot from 10 yards out after Clarkson dummied Hoilett's pass into his path.
As thousands of frustrated Hibs supporters had already left the stadium, the team's misery was further compounded in the final moments of the game. Teenager Boyd, who had been brought on as a substitute in the 83rd minute, made his debut memorable by slamming home the Dons' fourth goal from close range.
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