Kevin Nisbet converted Aberdeen's first half penaltyImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Kevin Nisbet scored in each half for Aberdeen

At a glance

  • Hibs' Grant Hanley sent off after 16 minutes

  • Kevin Nisbet converts resultant penalty and scores again in second half

  • Aberdeen up to eighth, Hibs remain fifth

ByCharlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Aberdeen eased their Scottish Premiership relegation concerns with their first league win since January, as Kevin Nisbet's double helped them see off 10-man Hibernian.

Stephen Robinson's side started the day level on points with St Mirren, and just three above Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot, but moved up to eighth thanks to their 1-0 win at Pittodrie.

The game turned in Aberdeen's favour when Grant Hanley was sent off after 16 minutes.

The Hibs defender was tangling with Toyosi Olusanya inside the penalty area and, after a check on the pitchside monitor, referee David Dickinson awarded Aberdeen a penalty and showed Hanley a red card.

Nisbet stepped up for the spot kick and drove the ball low into bottom left corner and sent Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger the wrong way.

The game nearly turned again at the end of the first half when Dickinson was sent to the monitor once again to review a potential punch by Emmanuel Gyamfi on Hibs striker Owen Elding.

But the referee did not feel the threshold was met for violent conduct and gave a yellow card for reckless action instead.

Despite a sloppy start to the second half, Hibs grew into the game and striker Owen Elding was denied an equaliser by the offside flag.

Nisbet added a second for Aberdeen when he smashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar from close range. Although the ball initially bounced back out and wasn't given on the pitch, VAR checked and confirmed the ball had crossed the line.

With the defeat Hibs remain fifth, five points above Falkirk who play Rangers at home on Sunday.

Analysis: Aberdeen take step to safety as Hibs hopes dealt blow

Aberdeen generated 2.22 xG against Hibs
Image caption,

Aberdeen generated an xG (expected goals) of 2.22 against Hibs

While there can be no doubt Aberdeen were aided by that Hanley red card and the resultant Nisbet penalty, the hosts had started brightly before that.

Over the course of the first 45 minutes, Stephen Robinson's side had nine shots, generated an xG (expected goals) of 1.63 and enjoyed over 50% possession, while they played 225 passes compared to Hibs' 194.

They looked like a team that finally had a bit of confidence and probably should have been more than one goal to the good.

Olusanya was deemed offside when he turned in Lyall Cameron's cross. Alexander Jensen skied an effort from six yards out. Stuart Armstrong fired wide. And Nisbet had a header saved by Sallinger.

Aberdeen's dominance continued into the second half, with more than half the possession and a further eight shots, six of which were on target. That was rewarded with Nisbet's second which made for an ultimately comfortable afternoon.

That victory moved Aberdeen up to eighth - level on points with Dundee but ahead on goal difference - but crucially three points above St Mirren in 10th and five clear of Kilmarnock in relegation play-off place.

For Hibs, the tests only get tougher as they head into the split and it will be crucial to show a reaction if they want to keep their push for European football alive.

The good news for David Gray's side is that Motherwell were also beaten, keeping the gap between them at three points.

Hibs will also be keeping a close eye on Falkirk's home game against Rangers on Sunday because if John McGlynn's side win, they'll be just two points behind Hibs with five games to go.

What they said

Media caption,

Robinson speaks after first win as Aberdeen boss

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson: "It's certainly a step in the right direction. It doesn't make us safe, we can't relax at all.

"We have to enjoy the moment, enjoy winning football matches, the fans haven't seen enough of that, but we know we still have a lot of work to do."

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "We probably didn't force Aberdeen to defend enough, even though we were down to 10 men, that's something we'll need to look at.

"The second goal was avoidable, the ball is clearly over the line, but the timing of that one killed any momentum we had going in towards the end of the game."

What's next for these teams?

After next week's break for the Scottish Cup semi-finals, Aberdeen are at home to Kilmarnock in their first post-split game on Saturday 25 April (15:00 BST).

Hibs welcome Edinburgh rivals Hearts to Easter Road the following day (16:30).

Player of the match

Number: 15 K. Nisbet
Average rating 8.35
Number: 15 K. Nisbet
Average Rating: 8.35
Number: 25 L. Cameron
Average Rating: 7.42
Number: 77 E. Gyamfi
Average Rating: 7.40
Number: 20 T. Olusanya
Average Rating: 7.32
Number: 22 J. Milne
Average Rating: 7.26
Number: 16 S. Armstrong
Average Rating: 7.23
Number: 28 A. Jensen
Average Rating: 7.21
Number: 1 D. Mitov
Average Rating: 7.20
Number: 32 A. Aremu
Average Rating: 7.14
Number: 21 G. Molloy
Average Rating: 7.03
Number: 23 L. Morrison
Average Rating: 6.97
Number: 4 G. Shinnie
Average Rating: 6.48
Number: 42 E. Bwomono
Average Rating: 6.44
Number: 81 T. Keskinen
Average Rating: 6.41
Number: 29 K. Kjartansson
Average Rating: 6.15
Number: 18 A. Palaversa
Average Rating: 5.97

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.