Dundee gave their fans a perfect early Christmas present with this emphatic win over Hamilton.
Accies were simply blown away by a first-half Dark Blues blitz with striker Kane Hemmings the hat-trick hero, netting three goals before the 27th minute was up with Greg Stewart also pitching in with another.
The victory was even more welcome as it was Paul Hartley’s side’s first since October 3 and the result also takes the Dark Blues back into the top six.
Dundee made a dream start, opening the scoring in just the fifth minute. There seemed little danger as a long ball was hit from the back but Hamilton defender Jamie Sendles-White made a fatal error with Hemmings pouncing on the mistake before calmly rounding Accies keeper Michael McGovern and steering the ball into the empty net.
Shortly after, the home side had another great opportunity to increase their lead as Hemmings crossed from the left to Stewart who hit a sweet strike which was saved by McGovern.
However, the keeper was helpless in the 19th minute when Gary Harkins fed a pass to Stewart on the right who cut in before hitting a trademark curler past McGovern.
Dundee tails were up and they made it three just two minutes later and this goal really was gift-wrapped. McGovern and the hapless Sendles-White were involved in an almighty mix-up with Hemmings again pouncing and on this occasion, he had all the time in the world to pass the ball into the empty net.
Hamilton were all over the place defensively and Hemmings capitalised once more in the 26th minute to secure his hat-trick, cracking a 20-yard shot past the shell-shocked McGovern.
Shortly after, it was not a surprise to see Sendles-White withdrawn from the action to be replaced by Jesus Garcia Tena.
And as the half-time whistle blew, the Dundee fans rose to give the players a well-deserved standing ovation.
After the pyrotechnics of the first 45, the second began in a more measured fashion with both sides finding it tough to carve out openings.
Hamilton looked desperate to restore some pride after their early mauling but it was the home side who again came close to extending their lead when McGovern had to tip over a Hemmings free-kick in the 71st minute.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.