Aberdeen moved three points clear in the race to be best of the rest in the Scottish Premiership following a comfortable win against Hearts at Pittodrie.
First half goals from Anthony O’Connor and Gary Mackay-Steven gave the Dons victory against Craig Levein’s side in a one-sided encounter in the Granite City.
Dons boss Derek McInnes made three changes to the side which won 2-0 at Kilmarnock last weekend with Mark Reynolds, Ryan Christie and Greg Stewart dropping to the bench while fit-again Niall McGinn, Gary Mackay-Steven and Sam Cosgrove, making his first start for the club, came into the starting 11.
Hearts manager Craig Levein made two changes to the team which lost 2-1 to Rangers at Ibrox with 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Moore and 17-year-old striker Euan Henderson coming into the starting line-up. Danny Amankwaa dropped to the bench while Godinho dropped out of the squad.
The Dons were first to threaten through captain Graeme Shinnie but his 20 yard drive was palmed away by Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.
There was nothing the Jambos goalkeeper could do about the next chance for the Dons, however, as Anthony O’Connor fired Cosgrove’s header from a McGinn corner into the net from close range to give the Dons the lead.
Hearts were rattled after conceding the goal and Aberdeen took advantage by doubling their lead eight minutes before the break.
Kenny McLean was the creator, delivering a superb defence-splitting pass which sent Mackay-Steven clear on goal and the winger beat McLaughlin with a first time shot.
Cosgrove was denied his first goal for the club by McLaughlin in the second half but the Dons were not tested in the second half as they comfortably eased to victory.
