Partick Thistle 1 - 4 Aberdeen

The Dons followed up last week's 3-0 victory over Ross County with a professional performance against Partick Thistle at Firhill who had two men sent off in the first half. Paul Sheerin's side lined up with one of their youngest starting XI's of the season. Billington was in goal with Rose at right back, Gibbons and Campanile in central defence and Harvie at left back. Campanile and Ross were the central midfielders with Felek on the right and Wright on the left. Smith played the free role in behind Shankland.
The match started in dramatic fashion when Thistle's full back Matthew McInally brought down Scott Wright in the box after fine play between Wright and Shankland. The referee pointed to the spot and did not hesitate to send McInally off for a professional foul to reduce the home side to ten men after just two minutes. It has to be said the red card looked a harsh call. After McInally left the field Lawrence Shankland showed good composure to put The Dons ahead. Paul Sheerin's side took the initiative playing some good football against the ten men and Shankland headed just over after a great cross from Felek. Aberdeen continued to dominate and the Thistle keeper Marc Waters did particularly well to block an effort from Wright but The Dons wouldn't have to wait too much longer to double their lead.
After the penalty was awarded in the second minute Jack Hendry picked up a booking for something he said to the referee and it proved to be costly for him in the 38th minute when he was issued with a second yellow card for bringing down Wright in the box. It was just a mistimed tackle as Wright's feet were too quick for him but Henry had to go and the home side were down to nine men. Shankland stepped up to the penalty spot again and hit another very good penalty past the keeper to put Aberdeen two goals ahead.
Scott Wright left the action at half-time to be replaced by Jai Quitongo after failing to shake off the effects of a knock sustained whilst winning the second penalty. Despite being down to 9 men Thistle still attempted to make their way forward and were very unlucky not to pull a goal back just after half-time when a shot from the impressive Nathan Eccleston hit the bar. However in the 50th minute Cammy Smith made the game safe when he found the back of the net after neat play on the edge of the area. A very well worked goal.
After that Aberdeen had a lot of possession but Thistle kept a good shape and the Dons never really looked like breaking them down. The home deserves enormous credit for refusing to give up and in the 70th minute they got their reward when Eccleston laid the ball off for substitute McMullin to send the ball past Billington from close range. The goal brought the Dons back to life a bit and half-time substitute Quitongo restored the three goal advantage in the 81st minute when he turned in a Shankland cross from about seven yards out. After that the Dons should have scored more as the Thistle legs not surprising went a bit in the final ten minutes. Shankland had a couple of chances to grab a hat-trick. Still another good three points on the road for Aberdeen.