St Johnstone 3 Aberdeen 4: Rooney brace pulls Dons level with leaders Celtic
An Adam Rooney brace and goals from Peter Pawlett and Niall McGinn helped Aberdeen to a 4-3 win at St Johnstone to go joint top with Celtic.
Adam Rooney hit a brace as Aberdeen pulled level on points with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership thanks to a thrilling 4-3 win at St Johnstone.
Rooney converted Shay Logan's cross at the back post to give the visitors an early advantage after just five minutes at McDiarmid Park.
Tam Scobbie then volleyed against the post as St Johnstone sought an equaliser, but they were further behind in the 20th minute courtesy of Peter Pawlett's deflected free-kick.
David Wotherspoon slotted home seven minutes into the second half to reduce the arrears before Simon Church teed up substitute Niall McGinn to restore Aberdeen's cushion.
Rooney appeared to have rounded off a comfortable triumph in the 77th minute when he worked his way past some ineffective defending to score, but first Steven Anderson planted a header past Aberdeen goalkeeper Scott Brown and then Scobbie set up a grandstand finish when he fired through a crowded penalty area in the 89th minute.
Aberdeen held on to move on to 55 points, having played a game more than defending champions Celtic, while St Johnstone missed the opportunity to replace Ross County in fourth.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
'People will remember us because we got to No.1 in the world rankings and achieved great things - but our biggest regret is that we didn’t win anything': Ex-Everton star Kevin Mirallas opens up on 'honour' of being part of nation's golden generation
‘I’m sure we’d have finished in the top four or five if he hadn’t joined Chelsea in January. Him leaving damaged the team, but we couldn’t stand in his way’: Alan Curbishley reflects on failed Champions League dream after selling key player