Aberdeen 4 - 0 Dunfermline Athletic

For this one, boss Craig Brown made just one change from the side that lost out to Motherwell last weekend- Chris Clark replaced in the starting XI by Fraser Fyvie, returning from U19 international duty.

The Dons started brightly and Kari Arnason was first to have a shot from outside the box but it went well wide. Moments later, great play from Richard Foster down the left led to Rob Milsom crossing into the box for Scott Vernon but he failed to connect with the ball and Austin McCann cleared for the corner.

In six minutes the Dons took the lead and it was another sublime cross from Foster but this time Scott Vernon did make a connection and powered the header past Paul Gallagher. A huge relief around the stadium that the Dons had the goal their play merited.

Aberdeen were dominating the game and good possession led to Fraser Fyvie releasing Ryan Jack down the right side but his ball was cleared by the Dunfermline defence. Soon after, another sublime ball into the box from Rob Milsom was headed towards goal by Rory Fallon but Paul Gallagher made an outstanding save. Just moments later Gallagher again had to look sharp to tip an Arnason header on to the crossbar and out for a corner.

Milsom was next to try his luck on 26mins when he launched a thunderous drive from outside the box after superb play in midfield involving Fallon, Fyvie and Foster but the effort cleared the crossbar.

Dunfermline's first real chance of the game came from an Austin McCann cross into the box but Andy Barrowman's low header went just wide of David Gonzalez's post.

Aberdeen almost created an identical second goal to the first when Foster's cross was again met in the box by Scott Vernon but, Paul Gallagher, having a fine evening in the Pars goal, scrambled the ball cleared. From the resultant corner Youl Mawene's header evaded everyone but the ball again just went wide of the post.

Seconds later and the Dons were on the attack once more but it was Gallagher the hero for Dunfermline again as Milsom's shot was tipped out of harm's way.

The relentless Aberdeen pressure paid off in 35mins when Arnason's ball was flicked on by Mawene and Vernon rose to power home a deserved second for the home side.

And just before the break the Dons went three up- superb play from Milsom who set up Vernon but with the big striker not able to take a shot at goal he calmly laid it off for Fraser Fyvie to fire the ball past the stranded Paul Gallagher.

HT 3-0

Aberdeen started the second half on the attack- battling play from Fallon on the half way line let Vernon burst through but Foster's resultant chip was cleared by the Pars.

The Dons were tormenting Dunfermline down the right and on various occasions Ryan Jack was given room to swing in tempting crosses into the box but no one was in the right position to turn them into the net.

Andy Barrowman hit a low drive on 58mins but the shot was turned away by Gonzalez for a corner- some rare action for the Dons goalkeeper. Soon after and Aberdeen were on the attack once again- Arnason's powerful drive towards Gallagher's right hit the crossbar and bounced conveniently in the box but Fallon couldn't connect properly with the ball and blasted over the bar.

The Dons, with a total of 27 shots at goal in the game, were still threatening the Pars goal in search of a fourth goal, and Arnason shot just wide of the upright, while moments later Milsom was sent through inside the box but Paul Gallagher made a smart stop to avert the danger once more.

Aberdeen made their first change of the evening on 72mins when Rory Fallon was replaced by Mohammed Chalali and the Algerian set Rob Milsom up with a chance just after coming on but the shot from the former Fulham man went wide of the Dunfermline goal.

Fraser Fyvie was then given a standing ovation by the Pittodrie faithful in recognition of his fine performance when he was replaced by Peter Pawlett on 77mins.

Another guilt edged chance from the Dons saw Scott Vernon breakaway from the Dunfermline defence but his fine half volley trundled along the goal line and no one was there to capitalise.

Mohammed Chalali, still looking for his first goal for the Dons, was looking lively and he sent Peter Pawlett in behind the Pars defence but Pawlett's shot ended up in the side netting.

The crowd of 8,333 were treated to a fourth goal of the evening not long after when Chalali tried a speculative but thunderous shot that crashed off the corner of the post and crossbar and landed back inside the box where Scott Vernon swept the ball into the net for his hat-rick.

With the game beyond any doubt now and Stand Free ringing around Pittodrie, Aberdeen made their final change of the evening with Chris Clark replacing Ryan Jack at right back for the final few moments.

Towards the end of the game Arnason and Chalali again went close but their respective efforts were just wide of the target.

Referee Bobby Madden soon blew for Full Time and the Dons faithful and players celebrated a fine win and an excellent performance. Aberdeen now look forward to a New Firm derby with Dundee United in 2 weeks time following the International break.

FT 4-0.