Hibernian turned in a strong second-half showing to dismiss Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership and move six points clear of their visitors at Easter Road.
An injury to Hibs’ stand-in captain Martin Boyle was the headline of a drab first 45 minutes, before David Gray’s side emerged from the dressing room with purpose.
Thibault Klidje bundled home the opener after incisive play from Jamie McGrath and Elie Youan cut Aberdeen open.
From that point there only looked like being one winner, until Aberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet rammed home from close range from nowhere.
His effort was ruled out for an extremely tight offside call, though, and in stoppage time Hibs sealed victory when Junior Hoilett’s effort squirmed under Dimitar Mitov.
Hibs move six points clear of Aberdeen in the race for the top half and European football, while Jimmy Thelin’s side drop into the bottom section of the table.
After a pulsating and impressive derby win over Hearts on Saturday, the question for Hibs was whether they could match those intensity levels and claim back-to-back league wins for the first time since early November.
Given the more subdued atmosphere, the fact they were missing the relentless Kieron Bowie through illness, and Boyle departed early with injury, it was understandable Gray’s side did not match the same level in a flat first half.
However, the were clearly the better side in the second period, with Josh Mulligan and Josh Campbell driving them forward and setting up Youan and others to get down the sides of Aberdeen’s back three.
The crucial opener came from a swift counter as Aberdeen gifted possession, allowing Youan to drive forward and exchange passes with McGrath before teeing up Klidje.
Hoilett’s second was a late Christmas present from Mitov, but no less than Hibs deserved based on chances created.
Without Bowie, Boyle, Nicky Cadden and three players on international duty, their depth came to the fore.
For Aberdeen, questions continue to mount about the team’s style of play under Thelin.
The switch to a back three brought stability and results after a bleak start to the campaign, but they have failed to kick on in attack.
They are among the lowest scorers in the Premiership and do not have a clear way of creating chances.
A change to a back four brought improvement in the final quarter as Aberdeen pressed for an equaliser and Nisbet was unlucky to fall on the wrong side of the offside line in the build-up to his disallowed goal.
But they managed just two shots on target and never really put Hibs under sustained pressure.
Thelin prefers to play 4-2-3-1 but was forced to ditch it due to poor results, but might he go back to it in the New Year to give his team some much-needed attacking impetus?
Hibernian head coach David Gray : “Delighted for the players, it was a huge win after everything that went into the derby.
“We spoke before the game about a fast start and building on the momentum – I thought it was a bit flat to be honest. Understandably so. Having to try and go again and the emotional side of it.
“Second half I thought we were very good and deserved to win the game. A clean sheet is always important.”
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: “It’s a difficult away game but Hibernian were better over 90 minutes. But you can still survive a game and take one point if it’s not a perfect day.
“But on the critical transition moments in the game we are not smart and strong enough.
“We make it difficult for ourselves going behind. Then we have the chance for the equaliser with a good cross ands three [of the same] players running for the ball.
“It’s small margins and they were really effective in their chances.”
Hibernian visit struggling Kilmarnock on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as Aberdeen are also on the road against Falkirk at the same time.
