Aberdeen’s emphatic 5-0 demolition of 10-man Livingston was a tale of two strikers.
In-form and in demand North Macedonian striker Bojan Miovksi netted a double to take his scoring tally to six goals in six games.
A £535,000 marquee summer signing the North Macedonian international is already delivering on that significant investment.
That transfer fee already looks to be a bargain.
The 23-year-old is a ruthless goal-scorer who is on course to smash the 20 goal mark this season.
Only the striker’s selflessness prevented him netting his first hat-trick for the Reds.
Aberdeen’s recognised penalty taker Miovski let Vicente Besuijen take the second penalty to make it 4-0.
The Reds signed Miovski, 23, on a long term four year contract. That is sound business because if that scoring form continues other clubs will become interested.
Miovski moves top of scoring charts
A double against Livingston rocketed in-form Miovski to the top of the Premiership scoring charts.
Hungarian club MTK Budapest rejected an offer of €1.2 million (£1.03m) from Rapid Vienna for the striker last summer.
It is understood Slavia Prague were quoted a price of between €1.5m to €2m (£1.28m to £1.71m) when enquiring about Miovski in January.
MTK Budapest’s relegation from the Hungarian top flight at the end of last season sparked a fire-sale and Aberdeen benefitted.
Ramirez left out of match-day squad
Contrast Miovski’s rapid ascent to goal hero with last season’s regular scorer Christian Ramirez.
United States international Ramirez netted 15 times last season and was first choice striker – until Miovski’s arrival.
Ramirez, 31, has fallen down the Pittodrie pecking order and was not even named on the bench against Livingston.
Boss Jim Goodwin insists Ramirez was absent because “I can only name 20 players.”
Frozen out Ramirez has only played 18 minutes of the first five Premiership games.
Aberdeen’s emphatic victory against Livi secured back to back wins in the Premiership for the first time since December last year.
Biggest winning margin since 2017
It was Aberdeen’s biggest winning margin since a 7-0 defeat of Dundee in March 2017.
As emphatic as the Dons attack were in the second half, the foundation for this win was in the performance of keeper Kelle Roos and his defence when 11 against 11.
A superb diving save from Kelle Roos denied Livingston in the 26th minute.
Centre-back Ayo Obileye met a Jason Holt free-kick and but Roos brilliantly dived to his left to block the diving header.
Dons boss Jim Goodwin recently said Dutch stopper Roos’ confidence and quality on the ball was key to his strategy of playing out from the back.
The 30-year-old summer signing is also a strong shot stopper and a commanding presence in the penalty area.
Miovski on target from the spot
Aberdeen went a goal and a man up in the 41st minute.
Winger Besuijen quickly closed down Jack Fitzwater who had received a slack goal-kick in the box from keeper Shamal George.
Besuijen dispossessed the defender who reacted by hauling down the winger.
Referee Colin Steven issued a straight red card and pointed to the spot.
Aberdeen would go on to ruthlessly exploit the extra man advantage.
North Macedonian international striker Miovski rifled home the penalty.
Aberdeen should have made it 2-0 near the stroke of half-time when a cross found Jayden Richardson at the back post.
However the right-back fired across the face of goal.
Aberdeen had the ball in the net in the 55th minute when Miovski raced onto a superb Leighton Clarkson through-ball.
Miovski then nutmegged keeper George from 12 yards.
However the assistant referee flagged for offside.
It was tight but the right call as Miovski was marginally offside.
McCrorie strike kick-starts goal rush
Aberdeen made it 2-0 in the 58th minute when Ross McCrorie collected a poor clearance at the edge of the box.
He took a touch then cracked a vicious 15-yard drive off the underside of the bar and over the line.
It was the start of a quick three goal salvo for the rampant Dons.
Substitute Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes then raced in on goal and was brought down by Phillip Cancar.
Winger Besuijen then converted the spot kick to make it 3-0.
In the 63d minute Miovski raced onto a through ball from Hayes.
Striker Miovski then fired low with his left foot beyond keeper George.
It was a devastating period of play that blew away Livingston.
Aberdeen should have extended their advantage soon after when Miovski was played through on goal.
However he unselfishly squared a pass to the onrushing Hayes whose shot was charged down.
Substitute Ryan Duncan made it 5-0 in the 87th minute when a curling cross evaded everyone in the box before going in off the far post.
It was teenager Duncan’s first goal for the Dons.
Aberdeen left the pitch at full-time to a deserved ovation from the delighted Red Army.
ABERDEEN (4-3-2-1): Roos 7; Coulson 7 (MacKenzie 80), Scales 7, Stewart 7, Richardson 7; Ramadani 7, McCrorie 7; Hayes 7 (Kennedy 72), Clarkson 6 (Lopes 56), Besuijen 8 (Morris 72); Miovski 8 (Duncan 80)
Subs: Lewis, Watkins, Polvara, Milne.
LIVINGSTON (4-3-2-1): George 5; Montano 4 (Longridge 67), Obileye 5, Fitzwater 5, Devlin 5; Kelly 4(Cancar 46), Holt 5 (Penrice 67), Omeonga 5; Pittman 5, Shinnie 5 (Brandon 67); Nouble 5 (Goncalves 67)
Subs: Konovalov, Hamilton, Penrice, Mullin, Bitsindou.
Referee: Colin Steven
Attendance: 13,739
Man-of-the-match: Vicente Besuijen (Aberdeen)
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