Aberdeen bounced back from a very poor run recently to totally overun a disappointing Dundee Utd, with the game being over as contest before half time. The home side being ahead 3-0 at this stage.
Dons boss Steve Paterson must feel that if his side could have produced this level of performance week in, week out then they would surely have figured in the top six.
On the other hand United boss Ian McCall will rightly be annoyed at his side which failed to compete all over the park, with his defence often in disarray as Aberdeen lay siege on their goal throughout the 90 minutes.
Steven Tosh looked prominent after eight minutes as he drove into the United box, he was challenged by Charlie Miller but the ball fell kindly to Leigh Hinds whose effort was blocked by Alan Archibald at the expense of a corner.
On ten minutes Scott Muirhead whipped in a dangerous cross which Paul Sheerin got a touch to but the ball went harmlessly into the side netting.
Back came United on 12 minutes, Wilson fed Derek McInnes whose cross was met by Barry Robson however, the winger raised his right foot shot way off target.
With 15 minutes gone the Dons pushed forward, Paul Gallacher had to look smart to get down to block Steven Tosh's low shot, with Alan Archibald on hand to complete the clearance.
The Dons finally took the lead on 21 minutes when Hinds latched on to a long clearance out of defence by Phil McGuire, holding off the attentions of David McCracken before sliding a low shot past Paul Gallacher form 15 yards out.
From a Scott Morrison corner on 24 minutes Aberdeen extended their lead when Phil McGuire rose unchallenged to head home with the United defenders and goalkeeper posted absent.
Aberdeen continued to be the more lively and again came close on 35 minutes. David Zdrilic nodded the ball into the path of Hinds who advanced to the edge of the area before volleying narrowly wide.
There was no stopping the Dons at this stage when Scott Morrison found Zdrilic whose cut back found Sheerin who slid the ball under Gallacher for goal number three.
Within 40 seconds of the restart Hinds should have done better than to lift the ball over the keeper and bar from 18 yards when sent clear by Zdrilic.
United had their first shot on target on 48 minutes when a McInnes through ball found Andy McLaren inside the area, however his shot from 14 yards was comfortably held by Preece.
Hinds then passed up another excellent chance minutes later, Muirhead's cross was missed by Archibald at the far post but the Dons striker slashed his efforts well off target.
Substitute Jason Scotland was on target for the visitors on 61 minutes when he met a Robson cross which was easily held by Preece.
On 69 minutes Hinds luck was out when he ran on to a Zdrilic pass, holding off Innes his shot crashed off the cross bar and over from 18 yards.
From a short free kick on 74 minutes Muirhead's fierce effort smacked against the junction of post and bar with Gallacher beaten.
Big Aussie striker Zdrilic passed up a gilt edge chance in the closing stages when Tosh picked him out at the far post, but his downward header fell the wrong side of the post.