Aberdeen 3-0 Hearts: Duck doubles Dons into Premiership, wins over Jumbos to continue resurgence
Aberdeen continued their recent resurgence under interim boss Barry Robson with a 3–0 win for the Scottish Premiership over Hearts in Pittodrie.
The contest was nearly over in the interval, with the Dons three in front thanks to an impressive double from Duk and a header from Mattie Pollock.
No further goals were scored in the second half, but moving within four points of their third-placed opponents gave Aberdeen their fourth win in their last five games.
Hearts could not cope with the intensity of the home side represented by Graeme Sinney’s all-action and tenacious display.
Indeed, Shinney played a big role in Aberdeen’s fifth-minute lead, nutmegging James Hill and sending a low cross from the left.
Xander Clarke, aided by a slight deflection, could only parry the ball out to Dak, whose 12-yard volley snuggled into the net.
It was not surprising that the hosts raged on and doubled their lead in the 21st minute.
A well-played pass near the touchline culminated in Pollock delivering an accurate cross, while Dack found space in the box and glimpsed a header into the far corner.
Pollock then turned provider to scorer in the 28th minute and Hearts’ afternoon showed no signs of slowing down.
Leighton Clarkson’s free-kick had a whip and bend, and Pollock headed past the helpless Clark on loan from Watford.
Still, it could have been, and probably should have been, an immediate 4 after Ilvar Ramadani rushed to Dak’s pass and shot wide from 12 yards.
The visitors were pulled away, and to stem the tide, boss Robby Neilson pulled Alex Cochrane off for Stephen Kingsley.
Early in the second period, Dack tested Clarke with a wandering strike from long range before wasting a chance to pull one back for Hearts when Robert Snodgrass scored a goal and Lawrence Shankland made a decent run. missed a chance.
A fit-again Kele Ruth returned to goal for Aberdeen after two months as Jay Goater fell ill, while opposite number Clarke remained busy as he withheld another effort from Dak.
The hosts regained their composure over time and finished the game with minimal fuss, recording a three-game winning streak at home and moving up to fourth in the table.
what’s next?
Aberdeen Return to Scottish Premiership Action after International Breakaway st johnstone April 1st.
Hearts Same day to Kilmarnock. Both games kick off at 3pm.