Aberdeen took the lead in the first minute of their vital Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock and managed to hold on for a narrow 1-0 win. The home side's opener was scored by Afeez Aremu, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner from 15 yards after a nice pass from Stuart Armstrong. Despite Aberdeen's strong start, they rarely threatened to add a second goal, while Kilmarnock had several chances to equalize, with Aaron Tshibola heading off the bar twice and Jack Milne almost scoring an own goal.
The Dons had previously opened up a five-point gap on Kilmarnock with a win against Hibs before the split, easing the tension around the Granite City. Neil McCann's Kilmarnock side made one change from their previous draw with Hibs, with Max Stryjek returning in goal after a six-month spell out due to heart surgery. However, Stryjek's return was not a happy one, as he was picking the ball out of the net in the opening minute.
Aberdeen worked several openings, utilizing the pace of Toyosi Olusanya, but without really threatening Stryjek's goal. Kilmarnock swiftly broke and won a free-kick, from which substitute Dominic Thompson whipped in a delivery for Tshibola to head off the crossbar.
The away side had settled into the game, with winger Nicky Clescenco asking questions of Aberdeen right-back Alexander Jensen. In the second half, Clescenco drew the first save from Dimitar Mitov, an easy hold for the goalkeeper.
Aberdeen's Milne had headed wide when free at the back post, and Olusanya hit over soon after in a bright opening to the second period. Stryjek was called into action soon after, claiming a Frame delivery that came off two Kilmarnock bodies.
However, Aberdeen were left counting their blessings on the hour as Clescenco got away down the left, clipping in for the late-arriving Tshibola, who saw his header again clip the crossbar. The Dons goal was leading a charmed life, as the crossbar was struck for a third time, Milne turning Greg Kiltie's teasing cross off his own bar. Milne popped up at the other end shortly after, his looping header from Ante Palaversa's free-kick forcing a superb flaying save from Stryjek.
Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson praised his side's character, saying they defended their box when needed and didn't concede from set plays, earning another clean sheet. Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann was proud of how his team played, despite an early setback, and felt they grew into the game, created lots of chances, and hit the woodwork several times.