Aberdeen ended 2016 on a high by moving to within two points of second place Rangers with a 1-0 victory against Hearts at Tynecastle last night.
Jonny Hayes’ sixth goal of the season helped the Dons to a third consecutive win in their last match before a three-week winter break.
The Dons dominated the first half against a below-par Hearts but were unable to open the scoring with Adam Rooney guilty of missing a great opportunity three minutes before the break.
It took until the 66th minute for the Dons to get in front with Jonny Hayes volleying home Niall McGinn’s cross.
This was a fully merited victory for Derek McInnes’ side, who created the game’s best chances and nullified Hearts’ attacking strengths.
Successive victories against Motherwell and Hamilton meant the Dons arrived in Gorgie feeling confident as they searched for a first victory at Tynecastle since September 2015.
Unsurprisingly, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes stuck with the same team for the third match on the trot, hoping it would deliver a similar result.
His opposite number Ian Cathro has endured a tricky start to life in the Tynecastle hotseat, taking only one point from a possible nine before Tuesday’s 4-0 thumping of Kilmarnock.
Nevertheless, some Hearts supporters remain unconvinced by the appointment of the 30-year-old rookie manager so this was another major test for the former Valencia coach in front of his own support before the winter shutdown.
The Jambos made two alterations with Liam Smith replacing the long-term injury victim Callum Paterson, while Don Cowie returned in place of Prince Buaben.
The Dons, wearing last season’s white kit in order to avoid a clash with the home side, were keen to get the ball wide to Jonny Hayes on the left flank to test Paterson’s replacement Smith, who looked very nervy during the opening exchanges.
There was a great atmosphere inside Tynecastle but there was little in the way of early action with both sides struggling to maintain possession, although the Dons looked the more likely to create the first chance.
That opportunity finally arrived after 15 minutes when a floated Niall McGinn corner fell perfectly for Mark Reynolds but the defender headed wide when he should have at the very least hit the target.
Hearts took their time to find their stride with a Jamie Walker free kick, comfortably held by Joe Lewis, causing the only real moment of concern during the opening 20 minutes.
The Dons were in the ascendancy and went close to breaking the deadlock when Kenny McLean’s powerful header was tipped round the post by Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton to keep the scores level.
Another chance for the Dons soon after – and another let-off for Hearts. This time Graeme Shinnie sent a tantalising ball across goal for McGinn but again Hamilton proved too big an obstacle.
A Hayes free kick then caused all manner of panic in the Hearts penalty area culminating in John Souttar almost turning the ball into his own net.
But the best chance of the half came three minutes before the interval when a well-struck Shinnie drive rebounded off the post and Adam Rooney uncharacteristically fired wide on the follow-up.
Aberdeen kept up the pressure immediately after the restart with McLean’s deflected effort well held by Hamilton before Shay Logan went close with a low drive.
Ash Taylor, already on a booking, risked a premature end to his time on the pitch with a clumsy looking challenge on Walker that incensed the home faithful but went unpunished by referee Willie Collum.
Hearts were beginning to look a bit more dangerous at the other end with Smith heading over from a Cowie corner as the hosts began to display more attacking intent.
But, with 66 minutes elapsed, it was the Dons who made the breakthrough.
McGinn had looked the player most likely to make something happen and the Northern Ireland international produced a sumptuous cross that was ruthlessly volleyed home by Hayes.
The Dons went close to doubling their advantage as time ticked down with McLean’s shot on the turn well stopped by Hamilton.
Cathro went for broke in the final 10 minutes, replacing defender Igor Rossi with attacker Robbie Muirhead, to make for a nervy finale for the visiting support.
There was a worrying moment in the dying embers as Walker made a yard for himself in a packed penalty area but Joe Lewis came to the rescue with a fine save.