Aberdeen 2-0 Motherwell
SPL
23/01/21
Aberdeen won for the first time in four matches beating Motherwell 2-0 with goals from Tommy Hoban and Andrew Considine.
The win is Aberdeen’s first of 2021 and sees the Dons go into third a point ahead of Hibs with a game in hand and four points behind second placed Celtic.
What crisis?
Crisis? What crisis? After a week that saw Aberdeen spanked in Dingwall 4-1 by Ross County for the first time in five years and then some bright spark decided to pin a bedsheet outside Pittodrie calling for the manager to be sacked, Motherwell’s trip to the North-east was looking strangely pivotal for Dons boss McInnes.
Aberdeen came away from the 3 o’clock encounter with all the points – their first victory over the Steelmen in four matches.
With Hibs in League Cup semi-final action and Celtic not due to play till Wednesday today was a chance for the Dons to put the week behind them, get a positive result from one of their games in hand, and take back third spot.
Aberdeen did all these things, with goals from Tommy Hoban and Andy Considine either side of Motherwell midfielder Liam Polworth losing his head and getting sent off for giving referee Craig Napier backchat.
Further articles:
–Inquest: Can Mcinnes Reinvigorate Aberdeen After Crushing Defeat To Ross County?
–Aberdeen Thrashed By Ross County 4-1 In Dingwall: Reaction
–Aberdonian David Law Completes His Second Round Of The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship As He Begins His Third Year On The European PGA Tour
Match review: Strikers still don’t find the net as the Dons rely on defenders for goals
The football scene in the North-east seems to have gone on some psychedelic trip into fantasy in the last week.
After Aberdeen were beaten 4-1 by Ross County in a match where the scoreline flattered the Staggies, a small minority of supporters were calling for McInnes’ head.
The Glaswegian is the third longest serving manager in Aberdeen FC history after being in the helm at Pittodrie for this his eighth full season. In that time McInnes has led Aberdeen to six Europa League qualification finishes in a row – something any club other than the big two in Glasgow would dream of achieving.
With all the hyperbole around the manager it was Curtis Main who copped it. The striker was dropped to the bench for the first time after seven straight starts having not scored or provided an assist in six with his last goal coming on the 12th December against Ross County.
McCrorie was also out having sustained injury in the loss to County but both Hayes and Taylor recovered to start.
Aberdeen took the lead through Tommy Hoban but the big talking point was Liam Polworth, the Motherwell midfielder involved in an altercation with Scott Wright in the first half which drew him a yellow card, then referee Craig Napier gave Polworth a straight red for backchat midway through the second half.
After Polworth’s dismissal it was a procession to the finish line for Aberdeen. The only disappointing aspect of the day for the Dons was that yet again neither of their strikers found the net. It wasn’t Sam Cosgrove or Curtis Main who got their names on the scoresheet for Aberdeen’s second but Andy Considine, the defender making his 545th appearance for the Dons.
Up next: St Johnstone, away, SPL
Aberdeen go to Perth to play St Johnstone in the SPL, Wednesday evening, KO 6pm.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 