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Nuclear twist of nerve-shredding play-off all but vanquished
TL;DR
Aberdeen secured a crucial victory against Kilmarnock, boosting their position in the league. Afeez Aremu's early goal helped them achieve back-to-back wins and maintain a significant lead over Kilmarnock.
Key points
- Aberdeen beat Kilmarnock to secure three crucial points
- Afeez Aremu scored in the opening minute
- Aberdeen now has an eight-point lead over Kilmarnock
- This is Aberdeen's first back-to-back win since December
- Aberdeen achieved two league clean sheets for the first time since November
AberdeenKilmarnockAfeez Aremu
[BBC]
Stephen Robinson would have absolutely loved a scintillating performance to go along with the crucial three points collected for beating Kilmarnock, but the bottom line was the latter was far more important than the former.
While not arithmetically out of the woods, Aberdeen are all but safe from the prospect of dropping as low as 11th after Afeez Aremu's goal in the opening minute chiselled out an eight-point lead over Killie with a goal difference advantage of 15 on top of that.
There's no doubt Killie deserved to take at least a point from the match, but Aberdeen held out to record back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time since December; at Pittodrie for the first time this season; and two league clean sheets on the bounce for the first time since November.
They hadn't even kept two Premiership home clean sheets in a row for nearly two years. Small steps.
The Dons' unbroken top-flight status can be extended officially if they beat doomed Livingston on Friday night and Killie go on to drop points to Dundee United on Saturday. Dave Cormack, his board, and Robinson can then set about rebuilding the football operation.
The manager spoke after the game about people outside the Aberdeen support being excited at the prospect of the club's demise, and there is truth in that from elsewhere in the country.
A siege mentality isn't the worst disposition when you are in a one-club city with rivals getting the popcorn in.
There was much amazement on Saturday afternoon's Sportsound that Mats Knoester - out since January - had been named player of the year by the Dons at last week's dinner, but it simply underlines the paucity of candidates aside from the Dutchman, whose absence has been apparent throughout his more than three months on the sidelines.
Robinson will be delighted to be able to call upon his services for the final weeks of what's been a tortuous season. However, the nuclear twist of a nerve-shredding play-off looks to have been vanquished.
Q&A
How did Aberdeen's win against Kilmarnock affect their league position?
Aberdeen's victory gave them an eight-point lead over Kilmarnock, significantly improving their chances of avoiding relegation.
What was the significance of Afeez Aremu's goal for Aberdeen?
Afeez Aremu's goal in the opening minute was crucial as it set the tone for the match and helped Aberdeen secure a vital three points.
When was the last time Aberdeen recorded back-to-back league wins?
Aberdeen achieved back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time since December.
