Edinburgh | Hearts suffer dramatic defeat against Aberdeen

Aberdeen 2 - 1 Hearts

Aberdeen snatched a dramatic Scottish Premiership victory over last season's title challengers Hearts with two late goals in a pulsating finish.

Author | Jack L

Stadium | Pittodrie Stadium

Oisin McEntee looked set to be the unlikely match winner for the visitors after calmly slotting home in the 35th minute following some slack defending from the home side.

But the contest was transformed in the 90th minute when Lewis Mayo bundled the ball over the line in a crowded penalty area.

Just 33 seconds after a video assistant referee check confirmed the goal, Hearts defender Stuart Findlay brought down the advancing Toyosi Olusanya as he burst into the box.

Findlay was shown a red card and Kevin Nisbet completed the comeback, emphatically firing his penalty high into the net.

Watch | View from the stands the final seconds at Pittodrie

There were few clear-cut chances for most of the match, with the hosts not registering their first effort on target until the 70th minute through new signing Chris Cadden.

Even then, the attempt was comfortably gathered by Beau Reus on an afternoon when Stephen Robinson's side struggled to create meaningful openings.

Yet an extraordinary late turnaround delivered one of the most remarkable finishes Pittodrie has witnessed in recent years.

What a difference a year can make.

Twelve months ago, Hearts arrived at Pittodrie with a perfect League Cup group-stage record and left with a home victory over Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen, who had already suffered an early setback in Europe.

This time, the roles were reversed. Aberdeen welcomed Hearts after four successive League Cup victories, while the Premiership runners-up were still recovering from a heavy aggregate Champions League qualifying defeat by Sturm Graz.

Could the home side once again take the spoils and lay the foundations for a strong domestic campaign? Eventually, yes. But it remains far too early to draw any firm conclusions.

The similarities with last season are hard to ignore. Hearts' challenge last term was built around Scotland international striker Lawrence Shankland, who has since taken the captain's armband at Rangers. Aberdeen, meanwhile, are now led by Kevin Nisbet, and it was the forward who delivered the decisive moment in a dramatic evening at Pittodrie.