Kilmarnock produced a Boxing Day masterclass as they battered an awful Aberdeen in Ayrshire.
Killie started the much stronger side and were on the front foot across the opening 10 minutes, with Danny Armstrong and David Watson striking efforts at goal.
Fraser Murray was also a threat on the left wing for the hosts and his quality was a big part of the opening goal of the contest.
Murray bent a dangerous cross in from the left on the 18-minute mark and it was Kyle Vassell who bundled home at the second attempt – it was a thoroughly deserved goal for Killie.
Aberdeen responded to falling behind with a couple of attacks, the most prominent when Nicky Devlin turned onto his left foot inside the Killie penalty area and fired an effort just wide.
But bar that, the toothless Dons lacked rhythm and failed to inspire any confidence within the away fans’ section at Rugby Park.
Jimmy Thelin opted not to make any changes when it was perhaps expected he would given his side’s concerning first-half performance.
And he may have began to regret that decision when Kilmarnock continued where they left off and made it 2-0 just before the hour mark.
Danny Armstrong whipped a ball into the box and it was the onrushing David Watson finished brilliantly from close-range having escaped the attentions of the Aberdeen defenders.
Kilmarnock should have made it 3-0 not too long afterwards when Murray had time to pick his spot inside the box. But he snatched at his shot and the ball went wide of the near post.
Aberdeen, despite a triple change midway through the second period, failed to show any signs of getting back into the game as Killie continued to dominate.
And that dominance was made known on the scoreline when it went from 2-0 to 3-0 with just minutes of the contest to go.
The marvellous Murray played an exquisite through pass to play substitute Innes Cameron in on goal, before the big striker chipped Dimitar Mitov to make the points safe.
Killie weren’t finished there though. Bruce Anderson added gloss to a terrific Kilmarnock victory with a tap in at the far post as the Ayrshire side produce their biggest win of the season so far.
Here’s three things Not The Old Firm learned at Rugby Park today.
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Kilmarnock outclass Aberdeen
This was arguably the most comfortable of victories for Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this season – who would have expected that just a month or two ago?
It was a complete performance by Derek McInnes’ men who offered plenty in attack while maintaining their solidity at the back – although Aberdeen rarely tested the Ayrshire side’s backline.
Kyle Vassell was a tremendous focal point, while Fraser Murray and Danny Armstrong were outstanding on either wing as Jack MacKenzie and Nicky Devlin struggled all afternoon to contain their quality.
Killie were impressive but the difference between the two sides was more an indictment of how awful Aberdeen were. These are concerning times for the Dons.
Killie wing wizards make the difference
Murray and Armstrong were constant threats on the wings for Kilmarnock as they helped themselves to three assists apiece.
Murray is certainly stepping up in the absence of Matty Kennedy, who has been struggling with a back injury of late.
The former Hibs youngster hasn’t always been the most convincing in a Killie shirt but over the last few games, he’s proved to be a dependable player for Derek McInnes.
Armstrong, meanwhile, hasn’t been able to live up to his incredible 2023/24 campaign. But after a spell on the bench for a number of weeks, the 27-year-old now looks back to his best.
His trickery and deliveries into the box were a perennial problem for Aberdeen at Rugby Park and it appears he’s worked his way back into the starting XI.
What on earth has happened to Aberdeen?
Aberdeen were quite simply embarrassing this afternoon. Their players showed minimal effort across the entire encounter and looked bereft of any attacking ideas.
Moreover, they were made to pay defensively as Jimmy Thelin’s honeymoon period looks to be well and truly over now.
That’s seven games now without a win for Aberdeen and their heaviest defeat of the campaign to date. They look a shadow of the team that started the season in incredible fashion.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Dons as they face Dundee United at Tannadice next. With that, it could go from seven to eight games without a victory.