Dundee United produced a fine performance in the absence of hospitalised manager Jim Goodwin as they thrashed Kilmarnock 4-0 at Rugby Park.
Goodwin was admitted to hospital on Thursday and United said on Saturday morning the 44-year-old “continues to deal with an ongoing medical matter”.
His players, under the guidance of assistant Lee Sharp, did him proud as a trio of first-half goals helped ease them to a first William Hill Premiership victory of the campaign.
United, who had not scored in their previous three games in all competitions, were three up by 41 minutes thanks to Emmanuel Agyei’s opener, Zac Sapsford’s penalty and a Will Ferry beauty.
Jesse Randall added a late fourth as Killie conceded for the 13th time in three top-flight matches to remain bottom of the table without a point.
It was a tough day for two new defenders added to Neil McCann’s struggling back line.
Hull loanee Cathal McCarthy conceded a penalty and German full-back Jonathan Meier was replaced by Jamie Brandon at half-time.
Michael Forbes should have nodded United in front after just seven minutes from Sapsford’s dinked cross.
Agyei, however, made no mistake five minutes later as Killie showed no capacity to shut down danger.
United worked a short corner to Mehdi Merghem who swiftly delivered to the near post where Agyei powered a header past Max Stryjek for his second goal for the club.
Kilmarnock’s start went from bad to worse when centre-back Robbie Deas was forced off through injury and replaced by George Stanger after just 19 minutes.
United doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time from the penalty spot.
Referee Nick Walsh spotted an infringement from McCarthy as United took a corner and, after VAR backed up his decision, the new boy went in the book and Sapsford overcame a slip to slot in his fourth goal of the season.
Ferry made it three with a sensational strike. No Kilmarnock player got close to him as he cut in off the left flank before finding the top corner from 22 yards.
United goalkeeper Jack Walton was worked by Joe Hugill and Mark O’Hara but the visitors were well worth their three-goal advantage at the interval.
McCann beefed up his strikeforce with Djenairo Daniels, on his return from 10 months out with with an injury, brought on for the second half.
By the 64th minute, the Kilmarnock boss had made all five substitutes.
If Hugill had not blazed over the crossbar in the 48th minute, Kilmarnock might have been capable of mustering a comeback.
However, United were comfortable thereafter and extended the margin of victory.
Stryjek made excellent stops from an unmarked Sapsford header and substitute Lachlan Rose.
But he had no answer to substitute Jesse Randall’s brilliant first-time finish in the 77th minute. Ferry’s bustling run up the left was followed by a perfect delivery and the New Zealand international swept home at the back post.
