Last Christmas, Dundee United were sitting top of the table after beating St Mirren at Tannadice.
This time around, they have missed out on the Championship’s top spot and instead sit two points adrift of the league-leading Buddies, albeit Csaba Laszlo’s men have a game in hand.
Twelve months ago, even the most optimistic of fans felt they might struggle to stay on top because of the presence of big-spending Hibs.
Now, despite a comfortable 3-0 home win over Livingston, the United players have to settle for second as they sit down to their turkey and trimmings.
However, there is no reason why they can’t continue to outplay their rivals – including St Mirren in Paisley this Friday – and be out in front come May.
The Tangerines, who were unchanged from the side that started the abandoned match against Queen of the South, took a wee while to get their football flowing against Livi.
When they did, however, there was only ever going to be one winner.
They grabbed the lead on 22 minutes thanks to a show of composure from Paul McMullan. A Billy King corner from the right was headed goalwards by Tam Scobbie but cleared out to McMullan, who did well to keep possession before firing a low shot into the net.
The second goal arrived on 37 minutes and it was a cracker. The source was the great interplay up the left by Jamie Robson and Scott Fraser, with the former firing a perfect cross to the back post that was converted by Scott McDonald.
Fraser Fyvie was carried off just before the break , which will be worry for United fans ahead of that Buddies match.
McMullan would have made it three had it not been a superb point-blank save from keeper Gary Maley on 50 minutes.
McDonald was then fouled by by keeper Gary Maley, who then saved King’s spotkick on 57 minutes.
King then made amends by having his shot parried by Maley two minutes from time and McMullan pounced to shoot make it 3-0.
That was how it stayed and the Tangerines look to be in fine fettle for that vital trip to Paisley.
