Marley Watkins opened his account for Aberdeen as they beat Ross County 3-0 to move within two points of third placed Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
The Dons dominated from start to finish in an impressive display against the Staggies who played the final half hour with 10-men following the dismissal of captain Iain Vigurs.
Aberdeen were worthy winners but County will be disappointed at failing to trouble the Dons.
Ross County made one change from the side which beat St Johnstone 1-0 at McDiarmid Park last weekend with Keith Watson replacing Connor Randall at full back.
The Dons made two changes from their 1-0 loss at Sporting Clube de Portugal in the Europa League on Thursday with Shay Logan and Dylan McGeouch dropping to the bench. Niall McGinn and Scott Wright were the players who took their place in the starting 11.
The Dons were punished for a poor start by Motherwell at Pittodrie a week ago as they found themselves 3-0 down after little more than 20 minutes and they started in impressive fashion at Victoria Park.
A combination of the woodwork, wayward finishing and Ross Laidlaw prevented the Dons from breaking the deadlock in the opening half hour with Niall McGinn firing over and hitting the post while Scott Wright also hit the woodwork for the visitors.
Laidlaw blocked from Ryan Hedges and made a fine save to keep out a Ross McCrorie effort he was powerless to prevent Aberdeen from making their domination count just before the break as he watched Watkins head a Jonny Hayes cross into the net to give the Dons a deserved interval lead.
County switched to a 4-4-2 formation as they tried to find a way back into the game in the second half but the Dons put the game beyond the home side on the hour mark.
McCrorie was fouled by Iain Vigurs when clean through on goal, with the Staggies captain earning a straight red for his offence and Lewis Ferguson made no mistake with the resulting spot kick.
Ferguson scored a second goal 14 minutes from time, again from the penalty spot, after Josh Reid had handled a cross into the box but by then the outcome of this one was not in doubt.
