Clueless Inverness
A not unexpected result at Pittodrie considering our fortunes over the previous eight league games. We lacked any ambition and it was only a matter of time before Aberdeen got their noses in front knowing that it would be highly unlikely we would be able to respond. Ash Taylor did the damage just after the break and that was sufficient to all but guarantee Aberdeen second place with the faltering Inverness and Dundee United grimly clinging on to hopes of third.
From BBC Sport
Ash Taylor's fourth goal of the season gave second-place Aberdeen victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who are now 11 points behind the Dons.
Niall McGinn and Adam Rooney went close for Aberdeen in a largely uneventful first half at Pittodrie.
Taylor headed in Barry Robson's corner to give the home side the advantage just after the interval.
McGinn later fired against a post before Caley Thistle's Marley Watkins had an effort off the crossbar.
The Dons may miss out on the lifting the title for the first time since 1985, but they are on course for the runners-up spot for the first time since Willie Miller was manager 21 years ago.
They have done it with a bit of style, as well, as they are now unbeaten in 19 games against the teams below them in the Premiership table.
The winning margin in this game could have been more comfortable as Caley Thistle rarely threatened to score and manager John Hughes must be worried by the way their season has petered out lately.
Gointo a double header against Celtic in league and cup, they have now managed just three points from the last six league matches.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes made his displeasure at the lacklustre performance against Partick Thistle last Saturday perfectly clear and they were certainly the more alert side as the Highlanders low tempo attacks were complimented by occasional slackness at the back.
For example, Pittodrie-bound Graeme Shinnie was dispossessed by Jonny Hayes who hit a drive from the edge of the box just over the bar.
Two minutes later Danny Williams tried to be too clever with a dummy read by McGinn, who clipped a cute ship over Ryan Esson but also just over the bar.
Inverness were neat and tidy in possession but caused no real problems for Scott Brown who was back in the Aberdeen goal.
It was the former Dons keeper at the other end who had the most uncomfortable moment of the first half after a mix up with central defender Gary Warren.
Rooney looked like taking full advantage as he forced his way between the pair and hooked the ball towards the unguarded goal. Thankfully for the visitors Josh Meekings was alert to the danger and sprinted back to clear the ball from underneath his own crossbar.
Robson nearly rolled back the years with a run from the half-way line that carried the veteran midfielder past two defenders before slicing his long range shot wide.
His accuracy from set pieces remains undiminished, though, and it was his in-swinging corner that saw Taylor head the winner.
The second half was a much more open affair, but the brilliance of Esson in goal and the post denying Shay Logan a goal restricted Aberdeen to a narrow success.
Date: 08.04.2015 Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Attendance: 11319
Referee: Calum Murray
Aberdeen: 1
Lineup: Brown, Logan, Considine, Taylor, Reynolds, Flood, Rooney, McGinn, Hayes, Robson, Pawlett (McLean 69)
Subs (not used): Langfield, Daniels, Low, Smith, Goodwillie, Shankland
Scorers: Taylor (47)
Booked: Robson (44), Logan (87)
Sent Off: none
Inverness CT: 0
Lineup: Esson, Raven (Devine 82), Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Draper, Tansey (Christie 76), Williams, Doran, Ross (Ofere 66), Watkins
Subs (not used): Brill, Horner, Polworth, Kink
Scorers: none
Booked: none
Sent Off: none
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