The Dundee United players are all looking to get amongst the goals now and John Rankin tries a speculative effort from about 30 yards, but thankfully for the visitors it goes well over the bar.

Dundee took defender Thomas Konrad off, replaced by Luka Tankulic, just before United notched their fifth of the game.

Gary Mackay-Steven whips in a corner and Polish defender Jaroslaw Fojut rises and nods the ball into the bottom corner, although it took a slight touch off James McPake.

Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a stunning save. Greg Stewart's free-kick takes a touch off Keith Watson, but the United glove man saves his team-mate from the horror of an own goal as he palms the ball on to the bar.

Chris Erskine, who scored Dundee United's third goal of the game, goes off with Ryan Dow on.

Chris Erskine's left foot effort is easily collected by Dundee keeper Arvid Schenk.

Dundee United are starting to threaten again with Nadir Ciftci showing some delightful touches in the final third.

Image source, SNS

Dundee playmaker Paul McGowan let his team-mates have it when United bagged their fourth goal of the game.

David Clarkson is almost in, but the long ball from James McPake skips up in front of the Dundee hitman and drops into the arms of the hosts' goalkeeper.

Dundee United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak comes and fails to collect a corner but Thomas Konrad can't sort his feet out and knocks the effort wide.

Dundee are looking for more than damage limitation here and have won a few corners in quick succession.

Dundee defender James McPake fires in a dipping effort from all of 30 yards that keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak does well to block, and when the ball eventually breaks to David Clarkson he can't get a clean shot away.

Dundee keeper Arvid Schenk had a bad first half as the ball flew past him four times, and he looks rather nervy again as he fluffs at attempted clearance.

Dundee boss Paul Hartley makes a change at half time with Gary Harkins off and Martin Boyle on. Can he provide the spark to get the Dens Park men back into this one?

We're back under-way at Tannadice.

Partick Thistle confirm a waterlogged pitch is the reason for their match against Celtic being postponed.

BBC Scotland's Jim Spence is telling us that there are plenty of scouts in the Tannadice stands today, including one from Swansea, and there's been lots to admire about a number of Dundee United players.

Image source, SNS

Gary Mackay-Steven's second goal of the day made it 4-1 to Dundee United. The visiting defence will need to tighten up hugely in the second half or this could get a whole lot worse for them.

The first half at Tannadice has provided all the action you could ask for of a New Year derby match, providing you're not a Dundee fan that is.

Gary Mackay-Steven has scored a cracking double for the dominant hosts, and Greg Stewart's free-kick for Dundee was another belter.

David Rabett on Facebook: 4-1, not looking likely for a Dundee comeback.