Duk was the toast of a packed-out Pittodrie as he returned from exile to help Aberdeen eke out a 3-2 victory over 10-man Hearts and maintain their perfect start to the campaign under Jimmy Thelin.
The Dons extended their remarkable winning run to 13 matches in all competitions but only after being given a huge scare by bottom-of-the-table Hearts, who were on top for long periods until Jorge Grant was sent off in the 75th minute with the match poised at 2-2.
Duk was given a huge ovation from the home support as he came on for his first appearance of the season on the hour mark after being temporarily suspended by the club for going AWOL in the summer.
The striker was the man fouled by Grant as he picked up his second yellow before he laid on an 88th-minute winner for fellow sub Ante Palaversa, sparking delirious scenes among a home support who spent the closing stages singing about their team “going to win the league”, and “bring on the Celtic”, a reference to their next opponents after the international break in what promises to be a mouth-watering top-of-the-table showdown.
Thelin sent out the same team that started the 2-1 win at Dundee the previous week, while interim Hearts boss Liam Fox made six changes to the side that started the Conference League win over Dinamo Minsk in Azerbaijan on Thursday.
Aberdeen got off to the perfect start in the second minute when Topi Keskinen’s shot from the edge of the box took a significant deflection off Kye Rowles and eluded Craig Gordon on its way into the net after Stephen Kingsley had been caught in possession.
The visitors responded strongly and Lawrence Shankland spurned two big chances to equalise before Jamie McGrath made a vital intervention to stop Grant knocking in Daniel Oyegoke’s cross.
Rowles had to get back to make a vital block on Dons striker Kevin Nisbet but Hearts continued to be the more threatening side, with a couple of teasing, inswinging Yan Dhanda crosses from the left just eluding Grant and then Frankie Kent.
A high, looping effort by Dhanda from 25 yards out was tipped over by Dimitar Mitov in the 35th minute, resulting in a corner from which Hearts equalised. James Penrice’s delivery found its way to Shankland, who cleverly dinked the ball back across goal for Kent to nod home.
Shankland – who had been booked on the half hour – was fortunate to avoid a second yellow after a couple of fouls just before the break.
The visitors spurned a glorious chance to go ahead in the 53rd minute when Kenneth Vargas darted clear on goal after capitalising on hesitancy between Jack MacKenzie and Gavin Molloy, but – with the option of squaring to Shankland – the Costa Rican opted to try and chip Mitov, and the ball drifted over the bar.
Duk entered the fray to rapturous applause on the hour but Hearts remained the side in the ascendancy and they took the lead in the 63rd minute when Blair Spittal rifled in a low shot from the edge of the box.
The visitors’ advantage lasted just two minutes, however, as Nicky Devlin – preparing to join up with the Scotland squad this week after earning his first call-up – shot home from 20 yards out. Grant was booked for dissent in the aftermath of the goal and he was then shown his second yellow for chopping down Duk.
The Dons suddenly had the upper hand and after a sustained spell of pressure Palaversa lashed a shot high into the net from a Duk cutback.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. The reason why Man City lost 5 matches in a row Erling Haaland lol Cucuruku Cook that thing… This The Man United cycle. This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
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Real Madrid monitoring Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite🚨👀 #Branthwaite is attracting the attention of 🇪🇺 top clubs.📃 #RealMadrid included the CB in their list of potential January targets, while 🏴 teams continue to monitor him ahead of June.💰 #Everton would like to keep him but are also open to evaluating bids >€70m. 🐓⚽ pic.twitter.com/5lpoomMdyp— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) Novem...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 12 Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd Southampton 2-3 Liverpool LOL OUCH Cristiano Ronaldo now has 500 more Goals than Henry When a taxi driver asked Messi to take photo of him with Mascherano... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Leicester City open talks with Van Nistelrooy over head coach job🚨🗣️ #Leicester have approached Ruud #vanNistelrooy to explore the negotiation margins to replace Steve Cooper on their bench.📃 David #Moyes and other names are under evaluation, but #LCFC would like to convince the 🇳🇱 manager as a priority. 🐓⚽ #Transfers pic.twitter.com/xsz3TT9q7P— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 24, 2024H...
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was happy scoring in their win at Leganes.Real won 3-0 on Sunday, with Mbappe opening the scoring on the night.He later told RMTV: "I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position. As I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in many different positions and I will play to give my best, it is the story of my career, I play on the right,...
Leicester City have confirmed they have sacked manager Steve Cooper. The 44-year-old took charge for the final time on. Saturday, with the Foxes beaten at home by Chelsea in the Premier League.He leaves with Leicester 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after being promoted under Enzo Maresca last season.Steve Cooper after Leicester's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.In a released stat...
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long period" before his methods help the club enjoy success again after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town denied the new head coach a debut win in his first game in charge.Marcus Rashford's opening goal after 81 seconds had given United a dream start at Portman Road, but Omari Hutchinson's equaliser sealed a point for Kieran McKenna's team an...
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