Abeerden win to draw level on points with second placed Celtics

Next weekend marks a year since Ross took over at Easter Road, and this season his team have rightly earned plaudits as the Premiership's surprise package.

That said, this was an out-of-sorts performance from the Easter Road side that never looked like recovering from a dreadful start.

The tone was set after just five minutes. Jamie Murphy - reintroduced to the starting line-up - surrendered possession on the edge of his own area, with Aberdeen recycling the ball.

A neat flick from Lewis Ferguson freed Wright, and his low drive across Ofir Marciano was inch perfect.

If that defending was a bit slack, it was bordering on kamikaze as the hosts made it two.

Ryan Porteous' attempted clearance thumped off the back of Ferguson straight into the path of Cosgrove.

The big striker galloped forward with Hibs all at sea, and an outrageous finish from the outside of his boot sent his 44th Aberdeen goal high into the net.

Little comfort could be found in attack for Ross' men. Lewis had to scramble to tip a sclaffed Ash Taylor clearance over the bar, while their biggest chance came in the form of a strong penalty shout in the second half with Martin Boyle bundled over by Matty Kennedy. Referee Euan Anderson didn't agree.

Both sides shared a spattering of half chances - particularly Hibs during a late flurry - as the game trundled to a conclusion, but the damage was done early on for the home side.