Winning games breeds confidence and momentum. It's an old saying but it's never been truer, and Aberdeen are evidence of it. Sivert Heltne Nilsen gives them a better base at midfield. It allows the full-backs to get forward. With his experience it's really helped them in terms of how they want to play. They're creating chances and scoring goals but they're nice and solid as well. That's the big difference from last year. They'll do well to push for second. Even though Rangers aren't in a position to push Celtic, they've got a bigger squad and better players than Aberdeen. But the turnaround at Aberdeen has been phenomenal and I don't even think Jimmy Thelin would have thought it would have gone as well as this. Former Aberdeen striker Billy Dodds was talking to BBC Scotland's Nick McPheat.
Jonathan Sutherland Sportscene presenter Aberdeen made it 10 wins from 10 under manager Jimmy Thelin with their 2-1 victory over Motherwell on Saturday, and the Dons have three players in my Team of the Week. Slobodon Rubezic faced criticism last season for the occasional hot-headed mistake but he looks a player reborn this year. He seems calmer and the partnership with Gavin Molloy has been a central part of the Aberdeen success story. Sivert Heltne Nilsen has been an excellent addition. The Norwegian keeps the Dons ticking in midfield and attempted 77 passes in this game, more than any other Aberdeen player this season. A fabulous solo goal and a vital second from Pape Gueye gets him into this team. Five goals so far this season; what a revelation he has been after an inauspicious start to his Aberdeen career. Thelin will be delighted to have plenty of competition at the sharp end of the pitch.
Media caption, Highlights: Aberdeen 2-1 Motherwell
We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 2-1 win against Motherwell. Here's what some of you said: Chris: The Dons display against Motherwell was very slick for 75 minutes. We looked in total control, slick passing, pressed well and recovered the ball. However, in the closing period we gave Motherwell a goal and belief. Perhaps making so many changes to give people game time unbalanced us. Justin: I was at the game, although it wasn't always pretty Aberdeen were in zero danger until Motherwell kind of scored from nothing. But what a performance from Pape Gueye, he's like a different player from when he first arrived, like a new signing, it's great to see the deserved love he's getting. It was a slightly nervous end to another massive win for the Dons. Niall: The 'Thelin Effect' rolls on with another dominant Dons performance. First half intensity was amazing, just the final clinical result was missing until Gueye pounced with precision and a contender for goal of the season. There is so much to like about the squad cohesion and teamwork. Sivert Nilsen is a standout performer amongst so many others. John: This season has consistently been the best atmosphere I've experienced at Pittodrie in years. Even when the Dons conceded the crowd remained positive. In Jimmy we trust. Jim: An excellent match. A little nervy at the end, but a win is a win. Five on the trot in the league, 10 out of 10 in all. Couldn't be happier. Disappointed to have conceded the late goal, and missed a bag of chances again, but the balance is right. Mark: Some of the play, especially in the first half, was fantastic. The club has recruited well but what is going on with Gueye? Last season he looked like he had never played football in his life and this year he’s winning the Ballon d'Or! Fred: A very competitive match. We are such a different team this season, we would have lost this match last year by capitulating in the final few minutes. A performance that shows we can fight to the end. Excellent goals, proved we can absolutely compete for the top two places. Marti: There's a great buzz around Pittodrie just now and long may it continue. 1 -0, 2-1, I don't really care, it’s still early days and we’ve not played the Old Firm yet, but bring it on.
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Sivert Heltne Nilsen attempted 77 passes in this game - more than any other Dons player this season.
Pape Guèye's brace moves him to the top of the Premiership goalscoring chart this season.
Motherwell have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of players finding the net in games since the competition since February.
Were you at Pittodrie on Saturday or following the match elsewhere? Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.
Image source, SNS Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "It was an exciting game until the end - the first half was really strong from us. The second half they came out stronger, but I'm happy with how we defended together. It was still a good team performance to win the game." On two-goal stiker Pape Habib Gueye, Thelin added: "His first was amazing... the speed, how far away he was when he picked up the ball, staying cool to score. "It was an amazing performance from him. His pressing and effort for the team is also amazing to see."
Image source, SNS Image caption, Resurgent Aberdeen striker Pape Habib Gueye is quickly becoming one of the stories of the season, netting twice - including a solo stunner - to take his tally to five this term
Nick McPheat BBC Sport Scotland Image source, SNS The pre-match pyrotechnics show at a bouncing Pittodrie highlighted the feelgood factor at Aberdeen, who seem to be finding new ways to win games. And the positive energy will not be fizzling out any time soon as the records continue to tumble for Jimmy Thelin, who can take his team to a League Cup semi-final next weekend with a home win over fourth-tier Spartans. The Swede is also now the first Premiership manager to win all five of his first league games since Giovanni van Bronckhorst with Rangers in December 2021. For a while it felt like it should have been a comfortable afternoon, but it ended on a nervy note for Thelin and his players. That is something the manager will undoubtedly analyse and address, but, in the main, the centre-back duo of Slobodan Rubezic and Gavin Molloy impressed again. Second-half attacking changes sprung Motherwell into life, but they could not make Aberdeen pay with their openings. On another day Stuart Kettlewell's men could have come away with a point, which would have perhaps been deserved on the balance of the chances. When the likes of Tony Watt, Jair Tavares and Jack Vale are in the right shape to start games, the Lanarkshire side should look more vibrant at the top end of the pitch. They have been much improved at the other end this season, but Kettlewell will be disappointed with the goals his team conceded, particularly the first as Pape Habib Gueye was able to race clear from his own half.
Image source, SNS Aberdeen hope to have Leighton Clarkson back while Duk has returned to the club following his unauthorised absence but is unlikely to feature. Dante Polvara (hamstring) remains out. Shane Blaney is the closest Motherwell player to a return with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (thigh), Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Harry Paton (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Johnny Koutroumbis (calf) still missing.
Image source, SNS Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin hailed the club's fans and says their support will be crucial as his side look to turn their early-season form into long-term success. The Dons have won their first nine games in all competitions under the Swedish manager, and Pittodrie will be close to sold out as they look to make it 10 against Motherwell on Saturday. "I think the support is amazing," Thelin said. "That's why for me, this connection between the club and the city and the supporters, that's how you can build a long-term success because it's not easy to stay a top team for a long time and you need to build something stable and a strong core." Thelin is anticipating a tough test against Stuart Kettlewell's side, who sit fifth in the Premiership after taking seven points from their opening four games. "Motherwell have a good coach, a clear identity, they have also started well in the league," Thelin added. "They are really good in transitions. As usual we need to be humble and respect the opponent."
Media caption, Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin says Duk apologised to the rest of the Aberdeen squad after the Cape Verde forward's early season absence.
Image source, SNS Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership match against Motherwell on Saturday. Here are the best bits from his press conference:
Thelin says Duk is "smiling and he's happy" after the Cape Verde forward returning to club training.
Thelin says it's now up to him and his coaching staff to help Duk "adapt quick and be ready" as soon as possible.
While this weekend's game is too soon for Duk to be involved with the Aberdeen squad, Thelin insists "quite soon he can be ready to compete for a place".
The Swedish manager says he doesn't worry about players potentially getting injured on international duty, and says it's always good for players to "go away and keep that inspiration" of playing for their country.
Insists the Dons have lots of areas to improve despite their nine-game winning run, and says he is always fine tuning.
On opponents Motherwell, he expects to face a side with "a good coach and a clear identity". Called on his side to "be humble" and respect Stuart Kettlewell's team.
Media caption, The story behind Aberdeen's nine wins from nine New Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has made an impressive impact, with his team aiming for 10 straight wins under the Swede at home to Motherwell on Saturday.
It is little wonder that reports this week suggest signing Jamie McGrath beyond the end of the midfielder's current contract next summer is one of Jimmy Thelin's priorities now that the transfer window has closed. The new manager's signing of Norwegian veteran Sivert Heltne Nilsen from Brann to occupy a holding role in midfield has allowed McGrath and Graeme Shinnie to focus on the more creative, attacking sides of their skillset. Indeed, Republic of Ireland 27-year-old McGrath has responded by creating more chances (17) and more assists (three) than any other player in the Premiership so far, as well scoring three goals in all competitions. Having recovered from the head knock that forced him off early in the 1-0 win away to Ross County last time out, McGrath will be pivotal in Aberdeen's attempt to stretch their winning run this season to 10 games. Five of those have come at home, with an aggregate score of 14-2, and the Pittodrie winning sequence is now at eight running into last season - 12 unbeaten. McGrath and his mates will be favourites to stretch their unbeaten run against Motherwell to seven games, but Stuart Kettlewell's visitors are themselves on a three-game winning streak. Read all the weekend Premiership picks
Rangers and Aberdeen are waiting for the SPFL to set a date for a compensation tribunal to settle a fee for midfielder Connor Barron, having been unable to come to an agreement over a valuation for the 22-year-old. (Daily Record), external On-loan Aberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet sets his sights on being the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership after getting off the mark with a last-minute winner in his last outing. (Press & Journal, external - subscription required) Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip. Image source, SNS
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Aberdeen are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership (W5 D1), last going longer without defeat against the Steelmen between April 2000 and November 2001 (P7 W5 D2).
Motherwell are winless on their last three away league trips to Aberdeen (D1 L2), since a 3-2 comeback victory in August 2022 in the Scottish Premiership.
Aberdeen have won all four of their league games under Jimmy Thelin; the last manager to win each of their first five Scottish Premiership games was Giovanni van Bronckhorst with Rangers in December 2021 (first seven), while the last to do so with a non-Old Firm club was David Martindale with Livingston in January 2021 (first six).
Motherwell have won both of their last two league games, last winning three in a row in September 2023.
Aberdeen's Jamie McGrath has created more chances (17) and assisted more goals (three) than any player in the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership so far.
Media caption, Niall McGinn, now of Greenock Morton, tells the story of how a "very smart" Craig Brown brought the forward to Aberdeen and rejuvenated his career in 2012. The 37-year-old went on to score 87 goals in 356 games across two spells with the Dons.
Image source, SNS Image caption, Duk is back in Aberdeen training after going AWOL during the summer Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin says Duk apologised to players and staff on his return to training and is "giving 100%" following his summer misdemeanours. The Cape Verde forward was disciplined by the club after failing to return for pre-season as he looked to force a move. However, Aberdeen announced last weekend that Duk had returned after "owning the situation" and "demonstrating his contrition". "When he came in, he apologised to the players, the staff and everybody around here and it feels genuine," Thelin told Red TV. "The players have taken care of him in a good way. The most important thing not only for him but for everyone is that everybody gives 100% for Aberdeen in training sessions and in games. "It doesn't matter who you are, it is for everyone. Just be clear with everyone and we will be fine. "We have a really good team spirit. You can't travel through time or change the past, but the most important thing is to look forward. "For me, it is the starting point with him right now. The squad has accepted it and he has integrated really well with everybody. He is giving 100% in every training session since he arrived. "So from there, he has to grow and adapt into the team, and get the connection with his team-mates. We know his qualities but from not playing football for a while he just has to train well, stay sharp and be ready for a game."
Image source, SNS Image caption, Brad Lyons (right) was initially shown a yellow card by the referee Upgrading Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons' yellow card to red in their 2-0 defeat by Aberdeen was the correct decision, Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum has concluded. Collum highlighted eight controversial incidents in The VAR Review, a new monthly show on the Scottish FA's YouTube channel, saying he was "content with the start we've made". However, he concluded that Celtic should have been awarded a penalty in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock, while Dundee United ought to have had a spot-kick for hand ball in their 2-2 draw with Dundee - both on the opening weekend. Aberdeen 2-0 Kilmarnock - 25 August Brad Lyons was initially booked by referee Matthew MacDermid for a challenge on Ester Sokler at Pittodrie, but the visiting midfielder was sent off following a VAR review. "We are happy that the VAR recommended an on-field review and that the card was overturned from yellow to red," Collum said. "We don't think the player is in complete control. We think the point of contact was high - it is on the shin - and it therefore endangers the safety of the opponent."
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