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Woeful Rangers beaten comfortably by Aberdeen who go NINE clear of rivals
Aberdeen kept up their stunning start to the season by defeating Rangers 2-1 at Pittodrie, a result that ramps up the pressure on beleaguered Ibrox manager Philippe Clement.
The Dons were much the better side in an incident-packed first half and when Nicky Devlin's opener came, it was richly deserved. And while John Beaton's decision to award a penalty for a John Souttar handball after a VAR intervention was controversial, a two-goal lead would not have flattered Jimmy Thelin's men.
And yet Jamie McGrath's tame spot kick was saved easily by Jack Butland, giving Rangers a lifeline. They nearly made the most of it moments later when Bajrami's low cross was turned in at the back post by Ross McCausland but it was ruled out for the tightest of offside calls.
Rangers were improved in the second half and got the equaliser in spectacular circumstances as Nedim Bajrami waltzed past Devlin and Graeme Shinnie before drilling a low shot into the far corner of Dimitar Mitov's net.
Clement's men pushed forward for another but Aberdeen went back in front after a James Tavernier error left the goal gaping for Shaydon Morris to strike. Rangers huffed and puffed but didn't create much and as the game petered out it was Aberdeen that looked the more likely to add another.
Clement on shaky ground
The Belgian started like a freight train but something has gone badly wrong since that fateful day in Dingwall last April when the wheels suddenly came off Rangers' title charge. Since then, the team has regressed spectacularly. Rangers don't look like a team with a coherent plan for the Scottish football fight. They were second best on the night and now even second place is looking challenging. While the rinse-and-repeat cycle of sacking managers that has seen Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale already expensively dismissed has been corrosive, patience amongst the rank-and-file is wearing very thin for the attritional football that shows little sign of coming together.
Thelin calls it right
The cool Swede has already made a name for himself as a master of game-changing substitutions and he showed it again on the most important of nights. A treble substitution on the hour mark injected fresh legs and it was one of that trio, Morris who grabbed the winner. Thelin is proving to be an outstanding manager and he might just lead the Dons to something very special indeed on this evidence.
Dessers offers nothing
A Rangers team with Cyriel Dessers as its focal point will never win a league title. Any journalist will tell you the big striker is a lovely man but he's not got the ability to play in this system as a focal point. The ball bounces off him constantly, he's forever offside and while he's capable of the odd magic moment, you're never sure when it's coming. He's the sort of inconsistent striker that gets managers the sack and Clement will surely come to regret not forcing him out when MLS sides came calling in July.
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Soft Penalty Call
John Beaton was at the centre of controversy after two incidents in a first half that was high on brawn and low on quality. The first began when a move between James Tavernier and McCausland broke down high up the right flank. Aberdeen moved quickly to capitalise and a ball over the top left Ester Sockler scrambling against Leon Balogun in a foot race. The Nigerian got to it first before wiping the striker out. It was the thinnest of contacts on the ball but replays proved the referee's decision correct, not that it stopped the crowd from voicing their discontent.
More controversial was the decision to award a penalty against Souttar after he went for a header and the ball appeared to strike his arm. The defender had his arms tucked in and it didn't seem that he made his body bigger. Beaton was called to the monitor and after seeing footage from one angle from behind the goal decided to award a penalty. It was extremely strange the team at Clydeside House only showed one, and it must be said inconclusive angle. While Butland saved the click, it was a decision that will surely inspire further analysis in the days ahead.
Connor Barron returns to Aberdeen
If there was any doubt the Scotland international wouldn't be popular on his return to Pittodrie those were dispelled within seconds of the kick-off. As soon as Barron touched the ball a burst of booing spread through the stadium from Dons fans venting their displeasure at the former academy starlet's move to Govan in the summer. He didn't let it get him down and toiled manfully in difficult circumstances against his experienced former teammate Shinnie. He remains on of the few bright sparks in what is becoming a painful season for his team.
