Aberdeen jumped to fourth in the table with a 2-0 win over sorry Hearts, who are making heavy weather of things at both ends of the pitch.
The injuries continue to pile up for Robbie Neilson, who is facing a selection crisis – especially at the back. What isn't helping is some shocking finishing despite creating clear cut chances, which are then being punished as teams take full advantage of a patched up back line. Luis Lopes and Vicente Besuijen were the latest to put them to the sword with two well taken second half goals, although there wasn't nearly enough done to prevent either by the men in maroon. The opening half-an-hour produced little in the way of chances. Stephen Humphrys sent an effort over from distance. Bojan Miovski had Aberdeen's best opportunity but dragged his shot wide after holding off Kingsley.
For the second Sunday in succession, Hearts missed an absolute sitter. Humphrys did well on the right before rolling the ball across goal to the arriving Alex Cochrane. With virtually an open goal to roll into, the wing back manage to send a pitiful effort straight at Kelle Roos as he raced back into goal, wasting a huge opportunity.
Cochrane did well to wriggle free on the left and pulled it back for Lawrence Shankland. The Hearts number nine connected, but the ball was slightly behind him and he sent a first-time shot wide of the near post.
The Jambos were having the better of it as the first half wore on. Humphrys again was the focal point, setting up Robert Snodgrass, who sent a low drive towards goal that Roos did well to hold.
Aberdeen should have scored right on half-time. Toby Sibbick gifted possession to Miovski, who played Luis Lopes in on goal. The Portuguese forward tried to find the top corner, but Craig Gordon stayed big to save well.
Roos got a vital touch to prevent Hearts going up the pitch and taking the lead. Shankland spun in behind and tried a clever lob, but the Aberdeen keeper used every inch of his 6'5 frame to tip it narrowly over the bar.
Within a minute of the restart, Humphrys pounced on a poor back pass from Anthony Stewart. The Hearts forward tried to round Roos, and the Aberdeen stopper didn't appear to get much of the ball as he did, but no penalty.
Gordon then saved from Lopes again as the second half raged from end to end. 'Duk' shot low from a tight angle, but Gordon was down well to hold.
Connor Barron burst away from Snodgrass and into the box. The youngster fired across the box but Miovski could only turn the ball wide as he tried to slide it home.
A good Hearts team move saw Cochrane go down the left and centre for Shankland. He tried to steer the ball home first time but it spun just wide.
The breakthrough came with 17 minutes left. Snodgrass came off second best in a 50-50 and Ramadani slipped in Lops. The striker took a good first touch before sending the ball through Gordon's legs.
The game was beyond Hearts soon after. This time Lopes was the architect, walking through the opposition before rolling in Vicente Besuijen, who calmly slotted past Gordon.
Injury nightmare continues
It never rains but it pours for Hearts when it comes to injuries. Already missing Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles, Michael Smith, Nathaniel Atkinson, Beni Baningime, Josh Ginnelly and Liam Boyce, the capital club suffered yet another blow when they lost Andy Halliday after less than 10 minutes.
Halliday went up for a header with Jayden Richardson and looked to land awkwardly, immediately signalling his was in pain and in need of treatment. He refused the stretcher, but couldn't continue with what appeared to be an Achilles injury.
The last thing the visitors needed was to lose yet another defensive player. Neilson is down to the bare bones at the back and will be praying nothing else goes wrong during what is a hectic schedule with a severely stretched squad.
They then lost Peter Haring late on. The sub looked unsteady on his feet after a head knock and had to be stretchered off.
Sitter city
As well as struggling through games with a patchwork defence that looks vulnerable, Hearts are making a meal of things at the other end of the park. Last week, Barrie McKay entered miss of the season contention by skying over the bar with an open goal in front of him. This week, it was Alex Cochrane's turn.
The left wing back only had to pull the trigger when arriving unmarked at the back post, or even take a touch. He ddin neither, stumbling over the ball which rolled into the grateful Roos' hands.
The Goodwin effect
The Dons boss watched on helpless from the stands as his team were taken apart by Dundee United. He insisted he could have fixed things had he been permitted to enter the dressing room at half-time.
He was back on the touchline against the Jambos after Aberdeen appealed his touchline ban, which his pending. And he saw a much better display from his side as they deservedly took the points for their second half display. It's likely Goodwin will be back in the stand before too long. But they should make the most of his presence in the dugout while they can.
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