Match ends, Aberdeen 1, Hibernian 0.
Aberdeen leapfrogged Hibernian and are now within five points of the Scottish Premiership summit thanks to a thunderous Gary Mackay-Steven goal.
The winger celebrated his Scotland call-up by pouncing on a slack pass by Ryan Porteous just before the break.
It gave the Pittodrie side a fourth straight win - and fifth in a row at home. Hibs are now without one in four.
Neil Lennon's side improved after the break, but Mark Milligan and Florian Kamberi missed chances to equalise.
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Wind and winger the winners
Given that the previous three meetings had finished level after 90 minutes, two without a goal being scored, it was almost guaranteed to be a tight affair.
But both managers were determined to belie the prediction and named attacking line-ups - forward Stevie May being preferred to defensive midfielder Dominic Ball for Aberdeen and Hibs' Florian Kamberi returning from suspension to partner Jamie Maclaren up front for the first time in the league this season.
Despite Aberdeen having four players named in Alex McLeish's Scotland squad this week and Hibs having three called up by Australia, showing their international class was proving difficult in the strong wind swirling around Pittodrie.
Australian midfielder Milligan had an early header cleared from in front of the Aberdeen goal by Shay Logan, but it was one of the home side's Scotland quartet who was making the difference at the other end.
Porteous was looking uncomfortable on the left of Hibs' back three and, after he picked up a yellow card for a foul on Mackay-Steven, Aberdeen continually provided the winger with opportunities to further tease the 19-year-old.
When Mackay-Steven intercepted Porteous' clearance, the Scotland Under-21 centre-back was easily deceived by a little drop of the shoulder and the ball was soon whistling between the near post and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan's outstretched hand.
It was no surprise when Hibs head coach Lennon changed to a back four at half-time and it helped the visitors.
Milligan sent a header over from a good position and Kamberi failed to finish after rounding Joe Lewis. At the other end, May failed to make Bogdan pay for his equally unwise rush from his goalline.
Aberdeen had not lost from a winning position at Pittodrie since 2014 and that record was prolonged after Kamberi twice failed to find the target from close range.

Plenty to ponder for Lennon - analysis
BBC Scotland's Tyrone Smith at Pittodrie
The wind was the winner, the dreadful conditions stifling what should have been a high-quality affair, but Aberdeen won't give a jot about that, as their bandwagon continues to gather pace. That is now four wins on the spin for the Pittodrie side, the international break perhaps coming at the wrong time for them.
As for Hibernian, they are now four without a victory, leaving plenty for Lennon to ponder over the next fortnight. They created, and spurned, enough chances to win the game in the second half, but that will be scant consolation.
Line-ups
Aberdeen
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Lewis
- 2Logan
- 18Devlin
- 5McKenna
- 29Lowe
- 11Mackay-StevenSubstituted forBallat 90+1'minutes
- 19Ferguson
- 3Shinnie
- 10McGinn
- 17MaySubstituted forCosgroveat 86'minutes
- 9WilsonSubstituted forAndersonat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Considine
- 8Gleeson
- 15Wright
- 16Cosgrove
- 20Cerny
- 21Ball
- 25Anderson
Hibernian
Formation 3-5-2
- 31Bogdan
- 24McGregor
- 5MilliganBooked at 90mins
- 36PorteousBooked at 16mins
- 25Ambrose
- 8SlivkaSubstituted forHorganat 79'minutes
- 10Boyle
- 14MallanBooked at 60mins
- 16StevensonSubstituted forMackieat 89'minutes
- 22Kamberi
- 9MaclarenSubstituted forAllanat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Marciano
- 3Whittaker
- 7Horgan
- 23Mavrias
- 43Mackie
- 47Gullan
- 49Allan
- Referee:
- Alan Muir
- Attendance:
- 15,629
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away1
- Corners
- Home4
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Aberdeen 1, Hibernian 0.
Post update
Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Lewis Ferguson.
Post update
Stephen Mallan (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Sam Cosgrove (Aberdeen).
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Dominic Ball replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
Booking
Mark Milligan (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Mark Milligan (Hibernian).
Post update
Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Martin Boyle (Hibernian) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Hibernian. Sean Mackie replaces Lewis Stevenson.
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Sam Cosgrove replaces Stevie May.
Post update
Foul by Mark Milligan (Hibernian).
Post update
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Stephen Mallan (Hibernian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Hibernian. Daryl Horgan replaces Vykintas Slivka.
Substitution
Substitution, Hibernian. Lewis Allan replaces Jamie Maclaren.
Post update
Foul by Stephen Mallan (Hibernian).
Post update
Gary Mackay-Steven (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen).
Comments
Join the conversation
Best AFC defence in years
GMS and May were o/s. As were the centre halves.
Stand Free. Routine 3 points....
I've spent time working down south and while there is plenty decent folk there is millions of total pellets..... I would estimate on average 25 pellets to every alright guy.
Gritty game in testing conditions but a valuable three points off a side looking to take our second spot slot, I'll take that
Decent crowd and a good Hibs turnout
Thank goodness for GMS, very good goal tonight
Not keen on loan signings but I though Lowe was great tonight strong althletic and very comfortable on the ball I wish we could buy him. Milne / Cormack thats the quality we need get your cheque book out.
Pie and Bovril night a win for the Dons.
Happy days
STAND FREE