Aberdeen 2 Hibernian 0

November 17th 2001
Scottish Premier League
Attendance: 12,552.

Scorers:
Aberdeen: Winters, Zerouali.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotland on Sunday on Sunday 18th November 2001

Aberdeen get another on the spin as Ferguson’s proud record comes into sharp focus

SO, MAKE that seven home wins in a row for Aberdeen. The last time they were enjoying such domination, Alex McLeish was an integral part of the defence. Yesterday, as Hibs attempted to prove that Pittodrie is far from fortress-like, he was restricted to the visitors’ technical area. He probably expended as much energy as he ever did in his playing days under Alex Ferguson in the eighties, but this time it was all of the nervous variety.

While Aberdeen have been finding their feet and offering enough to suggest that their occupation of the top end of the SPL is far from a fluke, Hibs are struggling to recapture the form that made them the early-season sensations last term. Still capable of decent football, it is their dilly-dallying around the box that is giving the Easter Road fans and management most cause for concern.

McLeish knew that three points yesterday would not only prevent Ebbe Skovdahl’s side bettering his Class of 1983/84’s nine-game unbeaten record, it would also take Hibs level on points with the present squad.

But inconsistency has been the crux of Hibs’ problems, in terms of selection as well as form. With Ulises De La Cruz and Paul Fenwick back from international duty worse for wear – Fenwick injured his ankle and was unavailable for selection and the Ecuadorian was only just off a plane after helping his nation to qualify for the World Cup – McLeish again had to re-jig his his side and it is little wonder he is suggesting that they sit out their countries’ upcoming Gold Cup fixtures. But far more troubling will be his players’ inability to convert pressure and possession into scoring opportunities.

For the opening period of the match they were encamped in the Aberdeen half. Far from awe-inspiring, they were, however, controlling proceedings. For all their neat interplay, which more often than not had Freddie Arpinion, Craig Brewster and Paco Luna at the heart of it, they played themselves into trouble or dawdled long enough to allow a well-organised Aberdeen to clear.

Brewster had a long-range effort in the opening minute, Luna came close and John O’Neill was inches away, but for all their possession that was all they could muster. By half-time they had mustered just one shot on target.

At the start of this season most would have given long odds on Aberdeen weathering a storm and fighting back, but manager Skovdahl has instilled this side with self-belief. Like Britney Spiers, many of his players have had to grow up in the public eye and, like the pop princess, people were becoming obsessed with their boobs, but times have changed.

Hibs were aware prior too kick-off that three points were required to keep the pressure on third-placed Livingston, even before the first half was over, they had started to battle back and it soon became obvious that the Edinburgh side might rue their inability to break the solid home defence.

Ben Thornley, back after suspension, was one of the chief tormentors, bustling up and down the left wing, charging at Alen Orman. He created early chances, having a shot himself from the edge of the box in the 26th minute before delivering a delightful cross to the back post, which young Ian Murray did well to clear with strikers in predatory positions.

Unlike their opponents, Aberdeen made a point of getting into the box for balls being fired in there. In the 32nd minute, Thornley’s cross was met by Derek Whyte. His powerful header rebounded off the post and landed at the feet of Darren Mackie, but the striker fired straight at Hibs’ goalkeeper Nick Colgan. It was a wasted chance and despite their second-half resurgence, it looked like being one Aberdeen would be counting the cost of. Superior throughout the second half, they just didn’t look like getting the break their performance merited until the sizzling final few minutes.

If the rest of the match had been far from scintillating, most people will have trooped away from the ground unperturbed after a goal that will have prompted a smile from all but those bedecked in green and white. Winters had only just nudged Aberdeen’s noses in front, after Derek Young had nutmegged Murray, then fed Mackie, who flighted in a ball for Winters to bundle over the line, when the real entertainment began.

Chasing a share of the points, Colgan did a Peter Schmeichel when Hibs were granted a last-gasp corner. Amid a sea of bodies he was a helpless and hapless figure as the ball was cleared and Aberdeen broke up the field. In a sprint, he lost out to second-half substitute Hicham Zerouali, who checked he had shaken off the goalkeeper, then stroked the ball into the unguarded net.

The fact that Gary Smith, who had refused to give up the chase, came within inches of catching it before it trickled over the line will only have compounded Hibs’ misery. It was a cocky finish, but it is a perfect example of the new-found faith that appears to be fashioning a brighter future for Aberdeen.

The Teams:

Hibernian: Colgan, Murray, Brebner, Smith, Arpinion, Jack, J O’Neil, Laursen, Orman, Brewster, Luna.

Aberdeen: Kjaer, Whyte, McNaughton, McGuire, Anderson, Bisconti, Darren Young, Winters, Dadi, Mackie, Thornley.

Tale from the Armchair - Fatty's View

I never made it to the game again today, so I had to watch it on Sky like a great number of Hibs fans.

How can we lose a goal in the 90th minute and then create more scoring chances after that than we had in the previous 89?

We just never looked like scoring, even after starting the game as the better team. I can't remember us even getting in to their box.

The only plus points for Hibs was the return of Arpinion and the performance of Ulrik Laursen. In fact big Uli probably added a few hundred thousand to the price that Celtic would have to offer. Let's hope Hibs tell Martin O'Neil to get lost.

Now, after looking like certs to finish in third again this season, we are struggling to hang on to a top six spot. We have to beat Livingston next week - so give Zitelli a chance!

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