Aberdeen maintain lead at the top with win at Hearts

Aberdeen have maintained their five-point lead over Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-1 win at Hearts.

The Dons opened the scoring with less than 10 minutes on the clock when David Goodwillie headed Niall McGinn's free kick into the bottom corner.

McGinn added his name to the scoresheet in the 22nd minute, gaining possession inside the box and beating Jambos keeper Neil Alexander from an acute angle.

Goodwillie put the Dons out of sight in first-half stoppage time, shooting low into the bottom corner after being lined up by McGinn once again.

The hosts pulled one back in the 52nd minute when Sam Nicholson's corner was scrambled over the line by Igor Rossi, and it was almost 3-2 just after the hour mark when Callum Paterson ratted the Dons crossbar with a free kick.

Hearts had several chances to reduce the deficit further before full time, but Aberdeen held on to preserve their 100% start to the league campaign.