Edmondson double helps fire ruthless Dons to third place in the Premiership
Aberdeen pu tina ruth less first-half performance as they demolished Hamilton Accies 4-2 to leapfrog Hibs into third place in the Scottish Premiership.
Goals by Tommie Hob an, Lewis Ferguson and a Ryan Edmondson double had the home side on easy street after only 31 minutes, though David Moyo and a second-half Ross Callachan penalty kept the visitors interested.
The trip to Pit to driew as always going to be a challenge for Accies,w ho had six players unavailable largely due to coronavirus regulations, and Brian Rice’s side would still be reeling after conceding five goals in their home defeat by St John stone on Saturday.
However, both sides showed a sense of willing in the opening stages, though ahead knock sustained by Ab erdeen's Jonny Hayes - which would later force him from the field - was the main talking point.
That was to change after 14 minutes when Hoban headed home the opening goal from close range, giving Accies goalkeeper Ryan Fulton no chance as he forced home Ryan Hedges' inswinging corner.
Ferguson sent a free-kick narrowly wide of the post but made no mistake as he drilled a first-time, 25-yard strike into to the top-left corner soon after, following an eat and patient Dons move.
The home side were in the mood and Edmondson saw a shot deflected wide before a Hedges cross-cum-shot narrowly evaded Hoban at the back post.
It was 3- 0 after 24 minutes as Edmondson found the bottom-right corner of the goal from ten yards after a Hayes cut back-and the on-loan
Leeds United striker added his second of the evening just after the half-hour mark, steering the ball into the opposite side of the goal after a fortunate break of the ball set him free behind the visitors' defence.
Hamilton had scored five times in their previous two games and they were to find the net again here, Moyo turning home Call ac han' s low cross at the back post.
Bolstered by their goal, Accies could have been right back in contention shortly before the half-time inter val, but Dons defender Andrew Considine, the new Scotland internationalist at the age of 33, was well placed on the line to keep out Callachan’s low effort.
But Hamilton did have another goal back midway through the second half after Considine was adjudged to have handled Lee Hodson's cross. Callachan stepped up and though Joe Lewis went the right way, he could not keep the spot-kick out.
Hamilton looked the more likely to net again as the second half wore on but the Dons back line repelled everything thrown at them.
The second half ultimately proved something of a damp squib after an all-action opening 45 minutes.
However, Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes will at least have been greatly encouraged by his side’s attacking threat as they bid to prove themselves the “best of the rest”.