ABERDEEN 1 HIBERNIAN 2 Sunday 26 October 2025 William Hill Premiership Pittodrie Stadium Attendance: 18,227 Referee: Don Robertson
A game that spawned a multitude of chances at both ends went Hibs’ way as the Dons were defeated by the odd goal in three.
There were three changes for the Dons after the midweek trip to Athens, Kevin Nisbet, Gavin Molloy and Ante Palaversa returning to the side, in place of Graeme Shinnie, Topi Keskinen and Marko Lazetic, who all started from the bench. Nicky Devlin took on the captaincy.
After beating Livingston 4-0 last weekend, Hibs named an unchanged XI.
The game kicked off in the hosing rain, sharp contrast to the heat and humidity of the Greek capital on Thursday night.
A bright start from Aberdeen won a first corner in the second minute, Karlsson teasing the defenders before picking out Molloy, his cross being put behind. Karlsson took the flag kick and after a scramble at the near post, it fell to Molloy, but he put his effort just over the bar from about eight yards.
Aouchiche should have opened the scoring on ten minutes. Karlsson played a neat one-two in the middle of the park and advanced on the box. Playing into Nisbet, he helped it on to Aouchiche but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.
Mulligan powered through the middle of the park on 20 to strike a low, skidding effort from 20 yards, but Dimitar Mitov had it well covered as the ball flashed just past the post. The Dons were quickly up the other end, and persistence from Molloy won the ball back for Aouchiche. He fed Karlsson but his low shot was straight forward for Sallinger.
Five minutes later, Chris Cadden was in on goal in the inside-right position but 25 yards out, he blazed his shot wide of the target under pressure from Devlin. Off the ball, Mitov went down and required treatment on 28 minutes, but thankfully he was able to continue.
Hibs were in front on 34. Stuart Armstrong was claiming for a foul on midway, and that allowed Mulligan to get away and thread a pass into Klidje for him to accelerate beyond the defence and make the finish under Mitov look simple from just inside the box.
Good passing football from Aberdeen gave Aouchiche a chance to club one at goal as we headed into added time, but a Hibs defender got a block on it to deny Aberdeen an equaliser.
HALF-TIME: ABERDEEN 0 HIBERNIAN 1
Alfie Dorrington, Leighton Clarkson and Nicolas Milanovic joined the fray at the break, replacing Aouchiche, Palaversa and Alexander Jensen.
It was Dorrington who had the first shot of the half, 25 yards out, putting his effort over the bar and into the RDS.
Somehow, Hibs didn’t make it 2-0 on 51, a ball over the top getting Klidje chasing in on goal. Mitov made a good save from him, Mats Knoester made a brilliant block from the goal bound rebound, then another from Bowie on the follow up, excellent defending.
The Dons won a free-kick 20 yards out a minute later, but Milanovic’s direct take didn’t bend back towards the goal and flew wide. On 56, Nisbet was replaced by Lazetic.
Clarkson came closest yet for Aberdeen, collecting from Karlsson and fizzing a drive at goal from 25 yards out, Sallinger pawing it wide at full stretch. Three Dons corners followed, but they could not make them count.
Mulligan missed another great chance on 59, a Clarkson slip giving him a clear sight of goal but he smashed his effort over the bar from the edge of the area. Hibs made two changes on the hour, Boyle and Chaiwa replacing Chris Cadden and Bowie. Molloy made way for Keskinen two minutes later.
Keskinen drilled a dangerous low cross through the six yard box after 65 minutes, but there were no takers when all it need was a touch. Hibs replaced McGrath and O’Hora with Campbell and Bushiri on 69.
There was an escape for Aberdeen with 11 minutes to go, Boyle galloping into a long ball forward and playing it inside for Campell. His shot beat Mitov, but not the post, bouncing back into play. Aberdeen were on the break from there, culminating in Karlsson threading Lazetic through, but he was denied by a good save with his feet from Sallinger.
Klidje was replaced by Youan in the 82nd minute. Lazetic was sent away on goal a minute later before being hauled back by Barlaser, who was booked.
Boyle should have wrapped it up on 85, running in between Dorrington and Clarkson, but he put his shot over the bar from 10 yards out, another good chance.
Keskinen made a good run down the left, his pull back running through the box. Devlin collected at full stretch and tried to get a shot away that was blocked. Hibs were on the break from there, Youan running clear from his own half, accelerating away from Milne and Dorrington to clip the ball over Mitov and seal the three points.
It looked to be 3-0 on 92 minutes, Boyle chasing a long ball out, then twisting and turning away from Dorrington down the left before clipping the ball across goal for Campbell to tap in. VAR checked for offside and chalked off the goal.
Aberdeen were straight up the other end from the kick-off, Lazetic bustling his way through, getting a bit of good fortune as he forced down a clearance, and then produced a clever, hooked finish to halve the deficit. But it was too little, too late for the Dons.
ABERDEEN: Mitov, Jensen (Dorrington 46), Devlin, Knoester, Milne, Molloy (Keskinen 62), Palaversa (Clarkson 46), Armstrong, Aouchiche (Milanovic 46), Karlsson, Nisbet (Lazetic 56).
Subs not used: Suman, Shinnie, Polvara, Kjartansson.
Goal: Lazetic (90+3).
HIBERNIAN: Sallinger, O’Hora (Bushiri 70), Hanley, Iredale, C Cadden (Chaiwa 60), Mulligan, Barlaser, N Cadden, McGrath (Campbell 69), Klidje (Youan 82), Bowie (Boyle 60).
Subs not used: Smith, Hoilett, Megwa, Obita, Youan.
Goals: Klidje (34), Youan (87).
Booked: Barlaser, Mulligan.
