Finally somebody has beaten Celtic, and who other but Derek
McInnes' Dandy Dons. All the talk and speculation going into the match was if
Aberdeen could even find the net against the tall and robust figure that is
Fraser Forster never mind picking up all three points. The men in red however
did score and scored twice one an absolutely sublime strike from Hayes. The
magnificent victory for the Dons means that we push on in second spot pulling
four points clear of our nearest rivals Motherwell.
Celtic started on the front foot as expected to attempt to
try and preserve their long unbeaten run. Former Aberdeen player Mulgrew rifled
in a shot early on that tested Langfield but he was more than equal to it.
Minutes later a low cross from brown caused havoc in the Aberdeen penalty area.
The ball bounced and ricocheted a few times before the Dons keeper pounced on
the ball. Aberdeen were living dangerously however the match was soon to be
turned on its head. The unreliable Ambrose lost balance when trying a simple
back pass to Mulgrew pushing the ball right past his own man. Rooney picked up
on the edge of the area and laid off to Pawlett who was making a darting run
beside him. Across came Van Dijk taking out Pawlett on the 18 yard line
preventing the youngster from having a clear shot at goal. The large Pittodrie
crowd rose to their feet with chants of "OFF! OFF!". Their wish was
granted as referee Craig Thompson had no option but to produce the red card.
Celtic would have to play the remaining 80 minutes with just ten men.
It was game on and Aberdeen were relishing the amount of
space they were now recieving in midfield. It was evident that the Dons were
now the more aggressive team in terms of searching for that opening goal. Hayes
whipped in a brilliant ball between keeper and defence but Rooney just didn't
judge it right coming in on the cross a bit too late. The men in red were in
the ascendency but Celtic were still looking to hit them on the break and that
is exactly what happened when Biton in the 37th minute drilled a good effort at
Langfield which forced a good save from the Aberdeen goalkeeper. Then goal of
the season contender perhaps happened... McGinn with the ball on the 40 minute
mark laid the ball to Hayes in the centre of midfield and from 25 yards out he
decided to hit it. His thunderous effort thundered into the top corner giving
record holder Fraser Forster no chance. His clean sheet record was up and
Aberdeen were up by a goal to nil.
Celtic were stunned and began to sit back more and more as
the first half came to a close. The Dons looked to take advantage of this and
indeed they did doubling their advantage before half time through super January
signing Rooney. McGinn on the wide right curled in a magnificent ball picking
out the striker perfectly. Adam Rooney glanced the ball into the far corner
leaving Forster helpless. He had not conceded in 1255 minutes but now he had
watched his net ripple twice in the space of four minutes. A quite incredible
first half.
The second period was a complete role reversal as it was
Celtic that had Aberdeen on the back foot for the majority of the half. A
controversial moment took place from a long Mathews throw in. As the ball came
looping into the area Reynolds looked to clear but the ball bounced up
accidentally hitting his hand. The referee correctly waved play on as the
defenders hands were at his side at the point of contact. No penalty. It was
then the visitors turn to find the net. Griffiths headed into the box finding
Brown following a Tate clearance. Brown controlled well, swivelled inside the
area and touched the ball to half time substitute Forrest who curled the ball
past Langfield, getting a goal back for the Celts. It was then a period of
relentless pressure from Celtic as they looked for that all important goal to
get back on level terms.
Stokes and Robson had shots for their respective teams that
never really troubled either keeper. The game began to ware on and the chance
of Celtic staying unbeaten was becoming less and less likely. Ten minutes after the goal Hayes tried
another long ranged shot but this time Forster got well behind the shot making
the stop. Celtic were beginning to run out of time and the signs of a
breakthrough were unlikely. It finished much to the delight of the home fans
2-1.
FT: Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic
Aberdeen
- 01 Langfield
- 29 Logan (Anderson - 83' )
- 05 Considine Booked
- 15 Robson
- 28 Tate (Shaughnessy - 83' )
- 06 Reynolds
- 10 McGinn
- 08 Flood Booked
- 17 Rooney
- 16 Pawlett (Vernon - 92' )
- 11 Hayes
Substitutes
- 02 Shaughnessy
- 04 Anderson
- 07 Zola
- 09 Vernon
- 14 Smith
- 18 Low
- 20 Weaver
Celtic
- 01 Forster
- 02 Matthews
- 03 Izaguirre (Balde - 89' )
- 06 Biton
- 04 Ambrose Emuobo Booked
- 05 van Dijk Dismissed
- 08 Brown
- 15 Commons (Forrest - 45' )
- 28 Griffiths Booked (Samaras - 77' )
- 10 Stokes
- 21 Mulgrew
Substitutes
- 09 Samaras
- 11 Boerrigter
- 17 Balde
- 20 Pukki
- 24 Zaluska
- 41 Fisher
- 49 Forrest
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