Aberdeen Go Top After New Year SPFL Action

Pic: Jeff Holmes Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes hailed his players after they took advantage of Celtic's postponement at Partick by beating St Johnstone to move top of the Scottish Premiership. David Goodwillie's superb overhead kick sent the Dons on their way to their sixth straight league victory, which was made safe by Cammy Smith's injury-time goal. McInnes said: "We can't deny that is a great feeling to be at the top of the league. "We said it was all about the game today and that it was another three points up for grabs, just like any other game, but that extra bit of motivation to go top of the league is something that the players recognised. "I think it showed in their performance that it was important for them to go top and that is really pleasing for me. "The players looked ready to play today, even before we knew about the Celtic game being postponed, and it was a top performance. It just shows what they are capable of and they should feel good about themselves tonight." Hamilton player-manager Alex Neil admitted he could not imagine a better feeling than savouring their 5-0 New Year's Day derby thrashing of Motherwell. Accies surpassed their 4-0 win at Fir Park in September with a dominant performance at New Douglas Park to record their heaviest win over their Lanarkshire rivals for 80 years. Dougie Imrie started the rout when he accepted a gift in the eighth minute and Ali Crawford, Mickael Antoine-Curier, Tony Andreu and substitute Danny Redmond converted some of the many chances Accies created as they moved four points off the top of the Scottish Premiership. Neil said: "It doesn't get much better, but then I said that after the 4-0 game. "The players were first class and I thought we were dominant throughout the game. It's probably as complete a performance as I have seen us put in and it doesn't get much better." Gary Teale has told referee Willie Collum he may have ruined his hopes of landing the St Mirren job full-time. The caretaker Buddies boss was left fuming after his side's controversial 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock in Paisley. Killie were handed two second-half penalties and while Saints were reduced to 10 men with 19 minutes left after Kenny McLean was sent off for an alleged headbutt on Ross Barbour. Saints were also given a last minute spot-kick but Teale claimed Collum got all the big decisions wrong - even the one that went in his side's favour. The defeat - which still leaves Saints searching for their first home win of the season - comes just a fortnight after the Buddies lost to Motherwell after several crucial calls went against them. Killie now move to within two points of the top six but boss Allan Johnston refused to be too harsh on 20-year-old Slater. "He's absolutely gutted in there,'' said the Rugby Park boss. "He's obviously forgotten he has been booked. "To be honest I'm not too sure if he knew the rules either. I don't think he was aware that it was an automatic booking for leaving the field of play." Inverness manager John Hughes was delighted to see his side get back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Ross County in the Highland derby at Global Energy Stadium. Twp goals from Aaron Doran and another from Billy McKay goal were enough to give Caley Thistle a well deserved victory, with substitute Jackson Irvine replying for the hosts. Hughes said: "The difference from the Aberdeen match was we took our chances when they came along. It's nice to get back to winning ways. It is nice to win a derby match, we know what it means to the supporters. I felt we deserved to win it." Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara heaped praise on his players following their 6-2 Premiership destruction of rivals Dundee at Tannadice. A double before the break from Gary Mackay-Steven allied to Stuart Armstrong's early opener and Chris Erskine's strike put the hosts in command after Greg Stewart had briefly levelled for the Dark Blues, who also netted in the dying minutes through substitute Luka Tankulic. United defender Jaroslaw Fojut headed home the fifth in the 65th minute before substitute Charlie Telfer completed the rout with a sweet finish as the Tangerines scored six goals for the first ever time in a derby, leaving off-form Dundee without a win in seven league matches. McNamara said: I'm delighted with the win. To win against your biggest rivals is great first and foremost but with that scoreline and the manner in which we won it's obviously even better. "All credit to the players. Their response was right after last weekend's defeat at St Johnstone."