Rangers sink Aberdeen to cement top spot

29 October 2011 14:47

Rangers cemented their position at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 2-1 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday.

Goals from Kyle Lafferty and Nikica Jelavic allowed Ally McCoist's side to move 12 points clear of second placed Motherwell and a further point in front of Celtic ahead of Saturday's 1400GMT matches.

Richard Foster netted a consolation for the Dons in the closing stages before Aberdeen striker Rory Fallon was sent off for elbowing Dorin Goian.

The champions have won all seven of their away league matches this season, but the victory was marred by an injury to Scotland striker Steven Naismith, who was stretchered off after twisting his knee in the first half.

Aberdeen made a promising start and Kari Arnason's powerfully struck volley from 35 yards forced Allan McGregor into a fine save.

Naismith went down unchallenged with his knee problem and was replaced by Northern Ireland international Lafferty after 24 minutes

Rangers went close to opening the scoring five minutes later when a Lafferty cross found Sasa Papac unmarked at the back post but the Bosnian defender's diving header flew wide.

The home fans were appealing for a penalty after 33 minutes when Darren Mackie tumbled in the Rangers area but referee Willie Collum waved play on.

Rangers carved out an early opening after the restart when Jelavic cut the ball back for Lafferty but the striker failed to connect with the ball properly and pulled his shot wide.

Aberdeen goalkeeper David Gonzalez was called upon to block Jelavic's effort before Lee McCulloch fired the rebound wide under pressure from Andrew Considine.

Rangers got the goal their pressure deserved in the 58th minute when, after a costly slip by Foster as he tried to clear, Steven Davis threaded an inch-perfect pass through to Lafferty who rifled home in emphatic fashion.

The Ibrox side had the chance to double their lead after 69 minutes when Mackie brought down Papac in the penalty box as he was about to pull the trigger and Jelavic duly despatched the spot-kick past David Gonzalez.

Foster, who spent last season on loan at Rangers, pulled a goal back for the Dons when McGregor failed to keep out his shot from distance.

But any hopes of a Dons comeback disappeared on the stroke of full time when Fallon was given his marching orders for appearing to elbow Goian.

Source: AFP