Aberdeen 1 Inverness CT 0: Nicholson's late penalty is harsh on Inverness
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aberdeen maintained their magnificent home form and remain unbeaten against Inverness Caledonian Thistle after Barry Nicholson's late penalty secured the points.
Ross Tokely was the Inverness culprit, fouling Lee Miller seven minutes from time, and Nicholson stepped up to send goalkeeper Michael Fraser the wrong way.
Caley were the better side in the second period but could not find a way past Jamie Langfield in order to earn a first victory over the Dons.
Aberdeen started positively, with Sone Aluko looking especially eager to impress after he was preferred to Dan Smith in the only change from the team that battled to a 1-0 victory over St Mirren on Saturday.
In the sixth minute he did well to find Jamie Smith in the Inverness penalty area, but before the striker could shoot he was tackled by Ian Black.
Inverness slowly began to make their way into the game, with the strong hold-up play of Graham Bayne up front posing problems for the Aberdeen defence.
In the 32nd minute, Bayne and John Rankin managed to set up Richard Hastings for a chance to shoot, but the left-back lifted the ball over the bar.
Aluko began to drift out of the game but not before Smith just failed to reach his cross immediately after the break. Inverness responded by pushing forward and Langfield had to make consecutive stops from Black within a minute.
Langfield was then forced to gather a downward volley from Marius Niculae.
Richie Byrne helped out his goalkeeper in the 69th minute by producing a fine tackle to take the ball away from Bayne, who was racing through on goal.
Bayne was then thwarted by Langfield before a fingertip stop denied Hastings as Inverness continued to push forward.
Hastings was able to utilise the space vacated by Aberdeen's substitute Jeffrey de Visscher, who was forced to leave the field to take off his black under-shirt, which matched Caley's strip.
Inverness were undone, however, when Tokely bundled Miller to the turf and Nicholson hit the penalty past Fraser.
Aberdeen (4-4-2) Langfield; Mair, Severin, Byrne, Foster; Young (De Visscher, 76), Nicholson, Clark, Aluko (Lovell, 64); Miller, Jamie Smith. Substitutes not used: Soutar (gk), Touzani, D Smith, Jonathan Smith, Crawford.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle (4-4-2): Fraser; Tokely, Munro, McGuire, Hastings; Cowie, Duncan, Black, Rankin (Hart 80); Bayne, Niculae. Substitutes not used: Malkowski (gk), Wyness, Vigurs, Proctor, Gillespie, Duff.
Referee: M Tumilty.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments