Aberdeen 1-0 Hearts: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Aberdeen 1-0 Hearts in the Premiership on Sunday, 23 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

The match at Pittodrie saw Hearts take early control with 60% possession, but Aberdeen held firm defensively as the first half progressed. Cláudio Braga picked up a yellow card for Hearts in the 31st minute, setting a scrappy tone, before T. Keskinen broke the deadlock for Aberdeen at 39' with a normal goal assisted by none, giving the home side a slender lead. Mats Knoester's yellow card at 42' added to the tension, but Aberdeen went into the break ahead despite Hearts' dominance in the ball.

The second half continued with Hearts pushing forward, earning yellow cards for Michael Steinwender at 50' and Cameron Devlin at 64', while both teams made late changes to shift momentum. Aberdeen brought on fresh legs at 81' and 84', with Hearts responding through substitutions at 73', 74', and 86'. Nicky Devlin and Gavin Molloy collected yellows for Aberdeen at 81' and 89', and Alexandros Kyziridis for Hearts at 90+5', but no further goals came, sealing a 1-0 win for Aberdeen in a tightly contested affair.

Hearts enjoyed 60% possession compared to Aberdeen's 40%, allowing them to dictate play for long spells, but they failed to convert that dominance into goals, highlighting a lack of cutting edge that ultimately cost them the match. Aberdeen made more of their opportunities, securing six corners to Hearts' three, which helped them generate pressure leading to their solitary goal, while successful dribbles were nearly even at 43 for Aberdeen and 45 for Hearts, showing both sides had players capable of beating opponents but Aberdeen's efficiency proved decisive. With three yellow cards for Aberdeen and four for Hearts, the game was feisty without red cards, and both teams used all five substitutions—Aberdeen refreshing at 81' and 84' with L. Clarkson replacing S. Armstrong, D. Lobban replacing G. Molloy, D. Polvara replacing G. Shinnie, T. Keskinen making way for N. Milanovic, and M. Lazetic replacing K. Nisbet,彼此, while Hearts made changes at 73', 74', and 86' including O. McEntee for C. Borchgrevink, M. Steinwender for B. Spittal, S. Findlay for J. McCart, C. Braga for A. Forrest, and T. Magnusson for J. Wilson—but no penalties, injury-time goals, or assists were recorded in the stats, keeping the focus on a clean, hard-fought result.

The decisive moment arrived at 39' when T. Keskinen fired Aberdeen into the lead with a well-taken normal goal, unassisted, shifting the balance after Hearts had controlled much of the early play and picked up an initial yellow for Cláudio Braga at 31'. Yellow cards piled up, with Mats Knoester booked at 42' for Aberdeen and further cautions for Hearts' Michael Steinwender at 50' and Cameron Devlin at 64', ramping up the intensity without leading to dismissals. Late substitutions injected energy, particularly Aberdeen's double change at 81' where L. Clarkson came on for S. Armstrong and D. Lobban for G. Molloy, followed by a triple switch at 84' seeing N. Milanovic replace T. Keskinen, G. Shinnie for D. Polvara, and K. Nisbet for M. Lazetic, helping them see out the win despite additional yellows for Nicky Devlin at 81', Gavin Molloy at 89', and Hearts' Alexandros Kyziridis at 90+5'.

Aberdeen lined up in a solid 3-4-2-1 formation, with a back three providing stability and allowing wing-backs like Nicky Devlin to push forward, while T. Keskinen operated effectively in an advanced role to deliver the match-winner, forming a key partnership with attackers like K. Nisbet before late changes.

Hearts deployed a defensive 5-4-1 shape to contain Aberdeen's threats, relying on a compact backline including players like J. McCart and midfielders such as Cameron Devlin to break up play, though their forward options struggled to break through despite strong possession.

T. Keskinen earned Man of the Match honours for his clinical finish at 39' that proved the difference in a low-scoring encounter, showcasing sharp movement and composure to capitalise on limited chances while contributing defensively before being substituted at 84' for N. Milanovic.

Recent Premiership matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Hearts (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Motherwell (H)
• Win: 1-0 vs Kilmarnock (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Hibernian (H)
• Win: 1-0 vs St. Mirren (A)

Recent Premiership matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Aberdeen (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Dundee United (H)
• Win: 4-0 vs Dundee (H)
• Draw: 2-2 vs St. Mirren (A)
• Win: 3-1 vs Celtic (H)

Sitting eighth with 14 points, Aberdeen will look to build on this gritty 1-0 win over Hearts as they face Noah in European Competition on 27 November at 20:00, a match that could help them climb the table if they maintain their recent form of narrow victories and solid defending.

Hearts remain top with 30 points but will aim to bounce back from this 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen when they host Motherwell, who are sixth with 18 points, on 29 November at 15:00, providing an opportunity to reassert their dominance at home.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.