…as dons hit SPL basement.

Craig Brown and Archie Knox have their work cut out after watching the Dons suffer another humiliating defeat that leaves them bottom of the league. The Dons were 2-0 down after nine minutes and never recovered from the poor start. The home side hit another three after the break to leave the Dons a well beaten side. The new management team face a huge task to turn this round and first up is their former employers Motherwell at Pittodrie next week. Aberdeen fans will be looking for some festive cheer from that fixture as they look to Brown and Knox for salvation.

Hearts kicked off but with only two minutes on the clock Aluko made a good run and appeared to be taken out of play illegally. He had to settle for a corner and when the ball was swung across Diamond met it and steered a header inches wide of the target. The Dons had made a positive start, but they found themselves a goal down in the 5th minute when Skacel played a neat through ball and Templeton scored despite Considine’s attempts to clear the ball off the line. The ball had crossed the line and Aberdeen had made a disastrous start.

Worse was to follow when Hearts doubled their lead four minutes later. Aberdeen were ripped open again and when the ball came in from the left Skacel finished well as he passed the ball into the net. Hearts won a free kick 20 yards out when Kyle went over under a challenge from Considine. Before the free kick was taken Skacel was booked, but on the word of the fourth official, the card was rescinded and Black was booked. The crowd were unsure of the offence. From the free kick Maguire and Aluko broke well and won a second corner kick.

Hartley’s delivery was too close to Kello and Hearts were quick to counter attack when Templeton went close, but won a corner. A foul by Kyle ended that attack, but the stuffing appeared to be knocked out of the Dons at this stage. There was controversy in the 23rd minute when Aluko went on another great run before being brought down in the box. A goal kick was awarded and the only explanation could be that the ball was out of play before the foul was committed. A minute later Young won a free kick in a dangerous area as the Dons fans tried to get the players going.

Unfortunately an offside flag ended the threat and at the other end Hearts forced another corner. A quick free kick on the half hour mark created a chance for Hartley, but Kello was up to the task. Three minutes later Maguire threatened before he was outnumbered and Hearts flooded forward again. Considine made a great challenge on Bouzid despite the home crowd appealing a spot kick. Play quickly moved back up to the other end and Maguire had a great shot that Kello could only claim at the second attempt. Hearts then won a free kick 25 yards out, but Langfield comfortably claimed the ball.

In the 38th minute Langfield was forced into a save from Kyle and the Hearts striker and Derek Young both required treatment after the Dons midfielder made sure Kyle was not going to get an easy chance. Elliot was then cautioned for a challenge on Aluko before play was stopped again because of a clash of heads between Skacel and Robertson. Vernon and Maguire then combined well in the 43rd minute as they forced another corner. As Considine went up for the ball he was penalised and the Dons last chance of the half was lost.

Despite the Dons struggling both Maguire and Aluko were causing problems and in the 49th minute Aluko broke forward, but couldn’t find the final pass. However two minutes later Hearts made it 3-0 as once again they attacked down the right and as the ball came across Elliot scored. Neil Simpson was unhappy with something in the build up, but that third goal consigned the Dons to bottom spot. Hearts were in complete control now and Langfield was forced into another save in the 55th minute. Aberdeen should have pulled one back a minute later when Hartley played a great ball to Maguire. The youngster could have cut it back for a tap in for Vernon, but he went for goal and Kello saved.

Hearts made it 4-0 in the 58th minute as the home side found it too easy and Skacel was gifted a second strike of the game. Just after the hour mark Young tried from distance then Aberdeen won a corner. Before it was taken Pawlett replaced Folly, but the set play came to nothing. Minutes later Kello made a fine save from Aluko with Aberdeen players in attendance looking for any spill. In the 66th minute Langfield produced a great save to deny Skacel a hat trick. He then started a quick attack, but the threat ended with Vernon straying offside.

Aluko forced another corner in the 69th minute, but Vernon could only turn the ball wide. Four minutes later Velicka replaced Maguire minutes after Clark Robertson became the first Dons booking of the match. A Hartley free kick was headed goalwards by Vernon, but it was an easy save for Kello. Hearts went nap in the 78th minute when Kyle was given too much time and space to set up substitute Novikovas for a great finish. In the final minute Elliot should have made it six, but steered the ball wide as the Aberdeen fans who remained prayed for the final whistle.